Pivot To Joy

In this episode, Coach Cooley is joined by Cristina Costa, a passionate advocate for empowering people of color in their careers. Coach Cooley and Cristina connect over their shared experiences living and working abroad. Cristina shares her story, starting from her college years and her transformative service trip to Japan and Spain. 

They delve into the differences between work cultures in Japan and Spain, highlighting the importance of rest, play, and finding joy in small moments. As women of color, they discuss the impact of cultural expectations on women's lives and the need to prioritize self-care. Christina shares her coaching approach, which focuses on helping women overcome burnout, set boundaries, and prioritize their well-being. 

Tune in and learn why rest and self-care are vital for personal and professional growth!

[02:03] Cristina’s background

[04:42] How living and working abroad impacted Cristina’s work

[08:28] Being curious and experiencing situations by yourself

[13:11] The pivot of studying and working abroad

[15:24] Cristina’s experience while working in Japan

[18:34] The impact of workplace culture on mental health

[26:57] How Cristina is applying lessons learned abroad in her coaching practice

[29:28] The importance of rest and living life in abundance

[37:49] How Cristina defines success to her clients

[39:00] Why Cristina thinks coaching is powerful

[41:52] How to support Cristina

[43:39] Cristina’s upcoming projects 

• Sometimes you don't want people to look at you just kind of want to be a flower on the wall, right? And let me live my life.
• As soon as you take that first step to explore something, you will want to keep doing it
• If you don't understand your history, you're destined to repeat it. 
• I learned in Spain through that experience that a slower pace of life was possible. Rest is essential. And that rest, we shouldn't feel guilty to rest and have that relaxation. And people in Spain were just so much happier than I saw in Japan or the States.
• I wasn't just born to work and die. I was born to rest, play, love, explore the world, experience as much as I can in this lifetime, and be grateful for what I can explore and continue exploring as much as possible.
• You should not feel guilty for resting because to be your best self and show up for all these people who depend on you; you must also show up for yourself.
• I understand these people depend on you and that you want to do right by these people, but you need to do right by yourself first.

If you want to know more about creating intentional pivots, let's connect, and remember to SHARE with your friends!

Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/delekooleycoaching/

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/dele-downs-kooley

Website: https://delekooleycoaching.com/podcast

Look out for a special journaling worksheet at https://delekooleycoaching.com/podcast.

For the first time, check out the Pivot Group Coaching Program at www.delekooleycoaching.com/workwithme and get on the waitlist. 

Are you looking to take the podcast's and guests' inspiration to the next level?  Join the pivot group coaching program to get the opportunity to connect with like-minded professionals committed to leveling up their careers and their lives.

Connect with Cristina on LinkedIn at linkedin.com/in/cristina-nicole-costa-

Website: ccostacoaching.com/

In this episode, Coach Kooley is joined by Amelia Pleasant, a certified life coach, professional organizer, and CEO of A Pleasant Solution.  Amelia discusses her unique approach to decluttering that focuses on the emotional aspects of organization. Coach Kooley and Amelia explore the challenges faced by women due to societal expectations, leading to overwhelm and burnout. The conversation covers self-care, setting boundaries, and how small pivots can lead to significant positive life changes. 

Amelia shares insights into her journey of making the world work for her by following her passions, embracing change, and asking the fundamental question, "What do I want?" They touch on managing emotional and physical clutter, redefining relationships and partnerships, and the transformative power of leading with personal desires. 

Are you looking to challenge societal norms, prioritize self-care, and embrace an empowered mindset? Don't miss out on this insightful conversation!

[01:53] Amelia’s background

[04:51] The link between decluttering physical space and enhancing mental and emotional well-being

[07:43] The interconnectedness of over-commitment, managing physical belongings, and societal expectations of women

[10:24] Supporting women's well-being through Fair Play facilitation amidst caregiving roles

[16:51] The Benefits of Fair Play 

[18:56] Implementing Fair Play framework and creating role-based household responsibilities

[26:37] Creating a life that suits one's desires by following personal adventures

[29:47] Shifting from being the foundation of everything to being at the center of one's life

[33:31] The three different types of clients that Amelia works with

[43:11] How to connect with Amelia

• Our attention is often just elsewhere. So there are many reasons why clutter comes into our homes, why we collect things, why we're attached to objects, why we overcommit in our schedules. It's not as simple and straightforward as it seems sometimes on social media, where we just straighten up and put a few bins in boxes in place and all as well. But there is a deeper level to this where, you know, we, we are really intertwined through story with the objects in our lives. 
• It is so powerful when you ask the question, what do I want? You shift into the center of your life, and you're making choices from that grounded, powerful place of saying, yes, I can support my children. Yes, I can show up fully in my work. Yes, I can be a caregiver. Yes, I can do all these things, but only a bit at a time.
• When you are satisfied with the choice that you're making, the direction that you're taking when you explicitly communicate to others, Hey, this is what I think and how I feel, and this is what I think we should do, that it invites everyone else to jump on board, contribute, add their ideas, um, and talk about it collectively.
• You do not have to do it alone if you are on your clutter journey. Many of us feel it is painful and scary to let go of objects, and we must force our way through. So I'm here to say there's a large support network out there for you, and having explicit conversations in your household, truly true, will create more space and time for everyone. 

If you want to know more about creating intentional pivots, let's connect, and remember to SHARE with your friends!

Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/delekooleycoaching/

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/dele-downs-kooley

Website: https://delekooleycoaching.com/podcast

Look out for a special journaling worksheet at https://delekooleycoaching.com/podcast.

For the first time, check out the Pivot Group Coaching Program at www.delekooleycoaching.com/workwithme and get on the waitlist. 

Connect with Amelia on: 

Podcast: https://www.apleasantsolution.com/podcast

Website: https://www.apleasantsolution.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/apleasantsolution/

Welcome to another incredible Pivot to Joy Podcast's Summer of Success Series episode. In this episode, Coach Kooley is joined by Elan Bailey, a transformational leadership coach and organizational development consultant. Coach Kooley and Elan reflect on personal journeys' messy and non-linear nature, highlighting the importance of self-discovery and integration. 

Elan shares her story, from her early passion for business to her realization of the value of humanity in organizational settings. They explore the concept of self-leadership and the power of owning one's story and values, highlighting the importance of alignment. 

Elan discusses the value-based decision-making process and the need to reassess and adapt values as one grows and evolves. The conversation also touches on the organizational side, emphasizing the benefits of investing in employee development and the costs of not doing so. 

Tune in to gain valuable insights and embark on your journey of self-discovery and intentional career pivots.

[01:22] Elan's Background

[07:06] The disengagements that led to Elan's decisions

[12:23] Embracing the authentic self

[21:42] The importance of self-leadership

[26:47] Intentionality as a key to success

[29:03] What value-based perspective mean to Elan

[34:40] How to set up yourself to recognize the limits to your values

[34:46] Helping people see the polarities in their values

[36:20] What 2.0 and 3.0 version of yourself holds

[37:00] Separating self-preservation from physical needs

[43:20] Two-part approach to finding a job

[44:28] Permitting yourself to stop waiting for leadership roles

[46:42] The organizational costs of employee development

[49:41] Organizational costs of not developing employees

[54:58] The cost of playing small in your career path

[59:22] How to connect with Elan

• I can look back and see that my compass was a value, a compass, and values. You know, it takes work to live by your values.
• Your career roadmap to success, or your career wayfinding as you call it, is easy to fix. You've probably already fixed it.
• For me, self-leadership now is, you know, helping people to own their story, coming from a place of commitment rather than reacting my way forward.
• Values-based alignment is having those things line up. And it does take risks. It is a creative risk, sometimes, to show up for your values, to stand for values that are not being represented in the room to speak for the underrepresented voices.

If you want to know more about creating intentional pivots, let's connect, and remember to SHARE with your friends!

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/delekooleycoaching/

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/dele-downs-kooley

Website: https://delekooleycoaching.com/podcast

Look out for a special worksheet and learn more about Elan and get guided journal prompts to support your summer of success at https://delekooleycoaching.com/workwithme.

For the first time, check out the Pivot Group Coaching Program at www.delekooleycoaching.com/workwithme and get on the waitlist. 

Are you looking to take the podcast's and guests' inspiration to the next level? Join the pivot group coaching program to get the opportunity to connect with like-minded professionals committed to leveling up their careers and their lives.

Connect with Elan on:

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/elanbailey

Website: https://my.timetouplevel.com/

In this episode, Coach Kooley is joined by Ajee Cook, the CEO and founder of Done & Done. In their conversation, they discuss Ajee's story and the importance of pivots, success, and delegation. Ajee shares her journey, starting at seven when she had to pivot due to her father's sudden passing and finding a new guardian. She talks about her experience at Lincoln University, where she found a sense of belonging and got involved in various activities. 

Ajee also shares her experience after being laid off during the Covid-19 pandemic and how she handled being jobless for 11 months. She further shares her story of being laid off within her 90-day probation period and how this fueled her into entrepreneurship. They further discuss the significance of operations and the role of delegating duties in any business.

Don't miss this inspiring episode as Coach Kooley and Ajee share valuable insights and provide a personal and professional growth roadmap.

[02:26] Ajee’s background

[08:31] Two big pivots for Ajee

[08:45] The power of who’s in your life

[10:43] Magnetic personality at Lincoln University

[15:44] The definition of success and how it affects happiness

[20:24] What happened after Ajee lost her job

[22:29] Pivoting when you hit rock bottom

[25:03] Getting laid off from her 90-day probation

[26:22] The importance of sharing one's needs

[35:00] Discovering happiness in entrepreneurship

[48:05] All you need to know about services offered by Ajee’s company Done & Done

[52:28] Why operations are important to an entrepreneur

[54:26] Why delegation is an important factor in any business

[01:04:13] How to connect with Ajee  

• Success is not the key to happiness. Happiness is the key to success.
• I think it's when we shove our emotions down. And we don't make space that we're not even open to the possibility of anything else. Because we're trying to hold so much in and keep so much going simultaneously, we miss the opportunity to have what processing your emotions does.
• Being able to live is one of the most compelling why’s you need to have.
• You are the CEO of your role. You do your role the best. Better than anybody else in your role.

If you want to know more about creating intentional pivots, let's connect, and remember to SHARE with your friends!

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/delekooleycoaching/

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/dele-downs-kooley

Website: https://delekooleycoaching.com/podcast

Look out for a special worksheet and learn more about Ajee and get a guided journal prompts to support your summer of success at https://delekooleycoaching.com/workwithme.

For the first time, check out the Pivot Group Coaching Program at www.delekooleycoaching.com/workwithme and get on the waitlist. 

Connect with Ajee on: 

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/ajee-cook-a6a455115

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chiefgetitdoneofficer/

Website: https://www.chiefgetitdoneofficer.org/

In this episode, coach Kooley is joined by Valerie Louissaint, a Haitian-American people strategy professional and emotional intelligence practitioner. Coach Kooley and Valerie delve into the power of emotional intelligence and its impact on personal and professional growth. Valerie shares her journey of discovering the importance of emotional intelligence during her college years, thanks to her favorite professor, Ralph Jordan. 

She explains how she became interested in the topic and how it eventually became a crucial part of her work and the foundation of her company, The Emprint Lab. Valerie also discusses her early experiences in the corporate world, where she faced mistreatment despite believing that behaving well would lead to fair treatment. She shares how she relied on her emotional intelligence skills to navigate these challenges, including self-awareness, empathy, and emotional regulation. 

Join the conversation as you prepare to move faster in the last four months of the year!

[01:36] Valerie’s background

[06:03] How emotional intelligence became an important part of what Valerie does

[09:50] The first thing we do when something goes wrong

[12:44] What Valerie did when she was being mistreated

[15:25] The three takeaways from emotional intelligence

[18:23] What happens when things go bad

[24:13] How to create a safe work environment

[25:44] Valerie’s handshake agreement

[32:12] Services offered by Emprint Lab

[33:32] How Valerie helps create employee engagement

[39:15] Other packages offered by Emprint Lab

[43:37] How to connect with Valerie

• what's better is to be satisfied with yourself than trying to satisfy someone else with how you moved about a situation.
• What happens in the handshake agreement is we have, we have the employer and the employee who both meets each other. In the middle, what they do is you have a neutral third party, which either would be your HR rep, your people What rep, any type, or any other anyone on the people team would be preferred.

If you want to know more about creating intentional pivots, let's connect, and remember to SHARE with your friends!

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/delekooleycoaching/

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/dele-downs-kooley

Website: https://delekooleycoaching.com/podcast

Look out for a special worksheet and learn more about each guest and get a guided journal prompts to support your summer of success at https://delekooleycoaching.com/workwithme

For the very first time, check out the Pivot Group Coaching Program at www.delekooleycoaching.com/workwithme and get on the waitlist. 

Are you looking to take the podcast's and guests' inspiration to the next level?  Join the pivot group coaching program to get the opportunity to connect with like-minded professionals committed to leveling up their careers and their lives.

Connect with Valerie and get a chance to join the Empower Community Group on:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theemprintlab/
Email: [email protected]
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/valerielouissaint
Website: https://theemprintlab.com/

In this episode, Coach Kooley is joined by Roxana Tanase, the HR Director for Scale and Talent Management Programs at Microsoft. Roxana shares her career journey, starting from college, where she discovered her passion for peace and human potential. 

She talks about the importance of finding joy and purpose in one's life and how it guided her choices. Despite facing setbacks and difficult experiences, Roxana learned valuable lessons that shaped her resilience and determination. Coach Kooley and Roxana also discuss the power of curiosity conversations and the connections they can foster. 

Are you looking to embrace small pivots and explore practical personal and professional growth strategies? Join the conversation!

[02:34] Roxana’s background

[07:44] How Roxana started her career

[15:01] How to communicate difficult news in a kind and considerate way

[12:12] Different mentors and how they mentor you

[16:50] Different ways to build strength

[18:41] The importance of building a foundation

[20:40] Benefits of having a career plan

[22:14] Knowing how your strengths apply to you

[23:12] How to discover your strengths

[24:52] The difference between joy and happiness

[31:17] Three points of commonality in the jobs taken by Roxana

[39:14] Having feminine energy is not a bad thing

[41:26] Roxana’s advice to the women out there

[44:26] How to connect with Roxana

• Sometimes you just meet people, and you click, and it's important that you follow up on those connections that just clicked for whatever reason, don't let them go.
• A failure is simply a learning opportunity you take with you and carry forward to help you grow and advance your career.
•  In your background, that rings so true. Everything we've ever done, regardless of whether we thought it was a success or a failure, prepares us along our professional journey for where we are in each moment. 
• If you think of joy, you can find joy in everyday life.
• Your strengths are likely to be discoverable, even without an assessment through all those things you do with ease, enjoyment, and effectiveness.

If you want to know more about creating intentional pivots, let's connect, and remember to SHARE with your friends!

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/delekooleycoaching/

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/dele-downs-kooley

Website: https://delekooleycoaching.com/podcast

Look out for a special worksheet and learn more about Roxana and get a guided journal prompts to support your summer of success at https://delekooleycoaching.com/workwithme

For the first time, check out the Pivot Group Coaching Program at www.delekooleycoaching.com/workwithme and get on the waitlist. 

Are you looking to take the podcast's and guests' inspiration to the next level?  Join the pivot group coaching program to get the opportunity to connect with like-minded professionals committed to leveling up their careers and their lives.

Connect with Roxana on LinkedIn at linkedin.com/in/roxana-tanase-78655712

Welcome to another exciting episode of the Pivot to Joy Podcast! In this episode, Coach Kooley shares her mindset shift that led to finding balance and setting herself up for a successful summer while still savoring quality time with her family. She explores the concept of sowing seeds for a fall harvest and shares practical strategies to accelerate your personal and professional growth during the summer months. 

Coach Kooley also unveils the exciting plans for the Pivot to Joy Podcast during the summer, including a fantastic lineup of guests who will inspire and provide ideas and strategies for your summer of success. She also introduces the Pivot Group Coaching Program highlighting its benefits.

Don't miss out on this episode packed with insights, guidance, and a roadmap to finding balance, achieving success, and unlocking your full potential. 

[01:24] What Coach Kooley has been upto

[01:47] How she came to move from Germany

[02:40] Finding Balance as a working mum

[03:15] The mindset shift that led to a successful summer

[04:08] What we can do over the summer to prepare for success

[05:12] Pivot to Joy Podcast plans for the summer

[05:33] The benefits of being part of the Pivot Group Coaching Program

If you want to know more about creating intentional pivots, let's connect, and remember to SHARE with your friends!

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/delekooleycoaching/

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/dele-downs-kooley

Website: https://delekooleycoaching.com/podcast

• Look out for a special worksheet and learn more about each guest, and get guided journal prompts to support your summer of success.
• Check out the Pivot Group Coaching Program at www.delekooleycoaching.com/workwithme, get on the waitlist, and be notified when signups open. 
• Are you looking to take the podcast's and guests' inspiration to the next level?  Join the pivot group coaching program to get the opportunity to connect with like-minded professionals committed to leveling up their careers and their lives.

Join the conversation as Dele talks about creating boundaries in the workplace. Reflecting on her career journey, she shares her struggles with setting boundaries and how it led her to the brink of burnout. She discusses women's unique challenges in corporate settings when establishing and maintaining healthy boundaries.

Dele introduces her favorite tool for setting boundaries and obtaining support from managers and colleagues—the balanced conversation. She shares how she applied balanced conversation to establish boundaries in her life, including adjusting her work schedule and addressing communication outside of work hours.

Stay tuned for more empowering episodes of the "Pivot to Joy" podcast, where we inspire you to create intentional pivots in your life. 

[01:26] Setting healthy boundaries at Work

[02:09] The impact of undefined boundaries on women and corporate

[03:12] How to set the boundaries at work

[05:40] The balance conversion as a mum

[06:38] The Art of assertive communication

[07:04] When Dele first learned about the balance conversation

[13:19] The importance of a balance conversation

• Undefined boundaries lead to the ambiguity that can sometimes cause more turns than necessary and put us in a state of constant reactivity that moves us closer to burnout.
• Assertive communication allows you to advocate for your needs while considering the other parties' perspectives.

If you want to know more about creating intentional pivots, let's connect, and remember to SHARE with your friends!

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/delekooleycoaching/

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/dele-downs-kooley

Website: https://delekooleycoaching.com/podcast

Balanced conversation worksheet: delekooleycoaching.com/balancedconversationworksheet

How are you modeling and setting healthy boundaries to encourage the open dialogues and flexibility that you need? If you want to share, send an email to [email protected]

Feel free to download a copy of the balanced conversation worksheet and write down your preferences so you're prepared to ask thoughtfully for what you need at delekooleycoaching.com/balancedconversationworksheet.

Many of us experience this when we start a new job or get promoted. We feel grateful for the opportunity, but that gratitude can shift into complacency if we're not careful. "Just happy to be here" can become an obstacle that prevents us from fully embracing our potential. But there are ways to break through this.

In this episode, Coach Kooley addresses the issue while revealing its potential to hinder career growth and personal development. While sharing her personal story, Coach Kooley highlights the importance of not quitting or giving up on one's dreams. She emphasizes that staying committed and driven is crucial, even when faced with challenges and setbacks. Individuals can overcome obstacles and achieve their full potential by believing in themselves and refusing to settle for less. 

Have you just been promoted to leadership and don't know what to do? Join coach Kooley as she shares some challenges new leaders face in harnessing their value and some insights on how to navigate the transition into a leadership role. 

Join the conversation now! 

[02:07] Thought that can significantly impact your progress in your new job

[03:17] What happens when cultural, psychological, and social factors negatively impact your new role

[05:21] Why it is important not to quit or give up on your dreams

[08:41] What causes “Just Happy To Be Here” to shift from gratitude & contentment to an obstacle in your career

[11:52] How to break free and embrace your potential when your belief in yourself and self-competence is low

[12:06] Techniques to help you overcome self-limiting beliefs

[12:22] The challenge faced by all new leaders

[15:40] Embracing your value

• People with low self-confidence don't have far to fall. So if they fail, the stakes aren't very high. But most people who achieve high-level roles or high leadership have high self-confidence. And it's when you have high a high level of self-confidence that you have further to fall.
• Confidence is past-focused. Your level of competence comes directly from your portfolio of past experiences that prepare you for the new challenges ahead.
• If Self-confidence is past-focused, then self-competence is future-focused.
• As a coach, I subscribe to the philosophy that you can't read the label when you're inside the bottle, so I could attempt to fix the problem myself.
• Remember that while being grateful for your new job is essential, settling for being content can hinder your growth and potential.

If you want to know more about creating intentional pivots, let's connect, and remember to SHARE with your friends!

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/delekooleycoaching/

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/dele-downs-kooley

Website: https://delekooleycoaching.com/podcast

Email: [email protected]

We have always found ourselves in situations where we want to ask for a pay rise or promotion but are always afraid of the outcome. Join Coach Kooley as she shares some tips to help you negotiate effectively. 

In this episode, Coach Kooley talks about some of the challenges women encounter in their places of work and the strategies one can adopt to overcome them. She also shares some of her best tips on how to clearly define your goals and work towards advocating ourselves. 

While working towards realising our full potential and in our quest for a promotion or a pay rise, we have always made some assumptions which lead us in the wrong direction. Join in as Coach Kooley shares some of the assumptions we make and why they lie between our current responsibilities and promotion.

Join the conversation and up your negotiation skills with Coach Kooley! 

[02:12] Obstacles women encounter in their workplaces

[03:33] Strategies to overcome challenges at work

[03:39] How to define your goals

[05:11] How to advocate for yourself

[07:40] Building a support network

[09:13] The biggest mistakes people make when going into negotiations

[10:47] Some assumptions we make when going for a promotion or pay increase

[13:10] How to negotiate effectively

[15:19] Activity to help you in your negotiation

[18:35] How to prepare for the conversations

[20:10] Some of the ways to respond to feedback after you ask for what you want

• Work and life are closely intertwined. And if something is not performing well in either area, there's a direct impact on the level of joy that we experience.
• Your chances of getting what you want increase when you know the market value of your skills and expertise. Research so that you know your numbers.
• If you're seeking a salary raise, gather the data on industry standards and average salaries for your role and the value you bring to the organisation.
• Surrounding yourself with humans who believe in you and your abilities can be a game changer when navigating your career.
• When I talk about waiting, it's the waiting that creates the power when you're negotiating. The art of awkward silence is one of the most valuable resources you have available to you during a negotiation.
• When negotiating, you will want to highlight your achievements, responsibilities, and the value you bring to the organisation. You have to articulate why you deserve what you're asking for clearly. And be prepared to negotiate on things like compensation or additional responsibilities.

If you want to know more about creating intentional pivots, let's connect, and remember to SHARE with your friends!

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/delekooleycoaching/

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/dele-downs-kooley

Website: https://delekooleycoaching.com/podcast

Join me next time when I talk about breaking free from the I'm just happy to be here mindset and unleashing your full potential in your new career or current role. !

If you want to know more about how to address conversations during your performance review and the secret to your success, check out Episode Five, the secret to advancing your career.