Tom welcomes a Competent woman, Nicole Schaefer to the show. Nicole is a leadership coach who uses horses to teach leadership skills, discusses the importance of authentic leadership and the role of horses in developing self-awareness and effective communication.

Schaefer emphasizes the importance of leading from one’s core values and principles, rather than adhering to societal norms or expectations. Schaefer’s leadership coaching involves working with horses, which provide honest and candid feedback, helping individuals become more self-aware and authentic. Horses do not react to performance or expectations but rather to the individual’s true self, making them excellent mirrors for personal growth. This approach helps leaders understand their energy levels, body language, and communication styles, enabling them to connect more effectively with their teams.

The interview also touches on the concept of “me first leadership,” where leaders show vulnerability and create a space for their teams to do the same. This approach fosters innovation, creativity, and a sense of community within teams.

Schaefer shares her personal experience with burnout, attributing it to a disconnect between her values and her work environment. She emphasizes the importance of honoring one’s values and taking time to recharge and reflect, rather than constantly pushing for productivity.

Schaefer’s work with horses helps individuals understand their spatial bubbles, energy levels, and communication styles, enabling them to build more effective relationships and teams. She also discusses the importance of pausing and allowing for creativity and innovation, rather than constantly pushing for productivity.

Schaefer’s upcoming projects include working with residents in pediatric medicine to build interpersonal skills and confidence, as well as expanding her coaching services to more individuals.

Guest Links:
LinkedIn: https://ca.linkedin.com/in/nicole-schaefer-48a0a725

Nicole Schaefer is the founder of Spiegelbild, a research-driven social enterprise.

She has over twenty years of international experience working for local, national and international governments and organizations.

Nicole has led complex multi-cultural teams and projects. She has completed over 130 hours of coaching training, both with the Co-Active Training Institute (CTI), and CRR Global’s Organization and Relationship Systems Coaching (ORSC), and is an ORSC trained coach for individuals, couples, and teams.

Combined with her passion for horses, and the special connection she has with her equine partners, Nicole brings her extensive leadership experience to our programs.