Performance Management Coaching for Professionals in STEM

Hi, and thanks for stopping by

to learn more about my background and training

BACKGROUND

I’ve been an independent business consultant since 1995 and have worked with domestic and international clients in various industries: Medicine, Government Relations, Law, Alternative Energy, Construction, Engineering, Psychology, and Agriculture to name a few.

In this capacity, I’ve assisted my clients with marketing, business development, project management, educational outreach, cross-cultural communications, grant applications
(federal, state, and local), opposition research, and business administration.


Having run a consultancy, with employees at times, and also working with my business clients and their teams, I am acutely aware of the challenges faced by businesses, their leaders and key team members – and this informs my approach.

When working with business owners and managers, our time together is focused on the areas of strategic thinking, planning and implementation, managing change, and effective communications for increased internal and external stakeholder engagement.

What makes my approach unique is that I facilitate effective management of change and performance by bringing an outside perspective informed by expansive experience to the discussion. I also have the ability to quickly hone in on what needs to be addressed to bring about the desired change. My direct communication style and willingness to question the status quo and address potential blind spots often lead to the results my clients seek more quickly.


If you were to ask me why I added coaching to my toolbox, I'd say, "a consultant can tell you what your goals should be, why you should strive to achieve them and how to go about it. In my role as a coach, on the other hand, I will meet you where you're at. I'll work with you to get clear on your goals, refine an approach that makes sense for and is implementable in your situation, and help you work through the obstacles that will, no doubt, present themselves on the way. As such, I'm your independent outside thinking partner that wants you to succeed, provides you with feedback, will challenge your assumptions, holds you accountable, and celebrates your achievements with you."

If you're wondering what coaching is all about, please have a look at the Frequently Asked Questions page.

CERTIFICATIONS

The following certificate programs are in addition to the many ICF*-approved online seminars and trainings – too many to list here – that I attend on an ongoing basis and that inform my approach to coaching.


*The ICF (International Coaching Federation) has become the pre-eminent organization that sets the standards for the coaching industry. The trainings and certifications I seek out meet or exceed the requirements of the ICF.

CERTIFIED EXECUTIVE COACH

July 2021, Center for Executive Coaching

An ICF-approved curriculum of proven, practical systems and methodologies that produce measurable results for leaders and their organizations.

Led by a Harvard MBA, the training consists of 125 coach-specific training hours, of which 90 are instructional and interactive learning and 35 hours consisting of peer coaching.

Additional focus-specific coach certifications

PERCEPTUAL SHIFT COACH

September 2024

Center for Executive Coaching

CHANGE LEADERSHIP COACH

September 2024

Center for Executive Coaching

POWER & INFLUENCE COACH

September 2024

Center for Executive Coaching

COMMUNICATION IMPACT COACH

September 2024

Center for Executive Coaching

CERTIFIED COACH

November 2012, Coach Training Alliance

An intensive program that teaches coaching competence, as well as marketing and business skills to aspiring coaches.

60 ICF-approved coach specific training hours of interactive learning, including supervised peer coaching, plus 20 hours of peer coaching.

PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS

INTERNATIONAL COACHING FEDERATION


The ICF is a membership organization for trained coach practitioners; sets standards and manages the credentialing of coaches; oversees and manages the accreditation and approval of coaching education providers; facilitates interaction between innovators, researchers, technologists, venture capitalists, press and influencers to build and maintain a comprehensive and high-quality body of knowledge on the art and practice of coaching.

© 2024 Sylke Chesterfield,CEC, Certified Executive Coach. All Rights Reserved.