Can you tell me about you?

Hi, I’m Kristen…I have lots of titles and credits and accolades that once upon a time I thought mattered (more on that below).  Today, I believe that who I am is more important than what I’ve done.  My superpower is my intuition and my ability to read people.

I am obsessed with assisting women and those traditionally marginalized on their career journey, while also changing the systems that have kept them stuck outside of the C suite.  I was born in the 1970s, during the heart of the women’s movement in the US, and I don’t think it’s a coincidence that my soul chose to reincarnate at that time.  

I believe that women are awakening to their power, their voice, and their potential.  And I exist to help shepherd that momentum forward.

What makes you different from other career coach?

I like to play in the space where intuition and logic meet.  Sure, we can discuss behavioral based interview questions, strategies for salary negotiations, and how to write a results based resume.  But I will also ask you if you’re a vibrational match to an organization, if your vagus nerve is triggered, and whether you believe you are living your purpose.  We’ll discuss both the practical and the spiritual.

Do you only coach women?

No, but I focus on women because, well, I am one. I’ve experienced all of the dark underbelly of corporate life.  I’ve survived sexual harassment, being too ambitious, not ambitious enough, imposter syndrome, retaliation, pregnancy, motherhood, being underpaid, being underestimated, microaggressions, subconscious bias…and I’m sure I’m forgetting something.  I have survived demoralizing behavior, and I’m fairly certain if you’re a women in a corporate space, you have too.

In the wise words of Layla Martin, “You don’t have to burn witches if you can convince women to hate themselves.”  The patriarchy has done a fabulous job of convincing us we’re somehow lacking, and that the sum of our worth is based on our productivity.  I don’t believe that; and together with you, I’m here to end it.

How long have you been a career coach?

Unofficially, since 1998.  I was in my 20s when I took over the late Senator Ted Kennedy’s prestigious internship program on Capitol Hill.  For an additional 10+ years, I had the privilege of coaching hundreds of law students on career strategy while teaching legal research.  In 2014, inspired by working with my own coach, Laura Murphy, and a retreat experience with Mastin Kipp, I began leading a weekly women’s circle, and in 2016, I stepped out on my own and began coaching women in professional spaces.

Today, I focus on coaching women in tech and law at the mid, senior, and executive levels.  My professional background is in technology, having served as an Account Manager at Thomson Reuters, and as a Director and Senior Director at ServiceNow.  While practicing law, I worked as an associate attorney at Willkie, Farr, and Gallagher, LLP and as Legislative Counsel for Senator Debbie Stabenow from Michigan.  I’m also a bit of a serial entrepreneur, having started three businesses, Mommy Fitness as a personal trainer, KK Consulting as a DEI strategist and facilitator, and of course, Work Like a Girl.

I haven’t worked with a coach before. What is coaching?

At its core, coaching is the act of asking powerful questions and challenging assumptions.  Through this process, we question what we believe to be true, reframe the current situation, and add context.  Together we set goals (whether formal or informal), and take steps towards the achievement of them.

More than achieving the career and life of your dreams, I want you to feel good doing it.  Following someone else’s roadmap will not make you happy.  Often, I will challenge you, and I may make you uncomfortable.  But as one of my personal coaches used to say, “Everything you want is just outside your comfort zone.”  

Can you give an example?

Sure. Let me share a personal example, and I admit, it’s a little bougie.  But it illustrates how simple change can be.

I had an event across the country and I was interested in flying first class.  I said to my coach, “My goal is to earn enough money to fly first class.”  She asked, “Do you have enough money to fly first class now?”  I had not even checked, and the question hit me like a smack upside the head. I had some very limiting beliefs around money – so much so, that I didn’t even do the math!  Duh, how obvious to check the price and my bank account!   

I share this because clients experience these kind of micro-epiphanies every day.  Often, we’re taught something at a formative age – five or six years old, such as I don’t have enough money for that – and we never take it out of the box again to re-examine it.  Coaching can be so powerful because we come face to face with our assumptions and have the opportunity to unpack them – and decide on our new beliefs.

Do you guarantee results?

In a word, no.  Coaching is a partnership, and in order to achieve your goals, you are ultimately the one who must put in the work.  What I do guarantee is that I will challenge your assumptions and push you outside your comfort zone (in the most loving and supportive way possible).

Ultimately, what you achieve will be dependent on how you show up. The best analogy is personal training – I can teach you how to lift weights, calculate how much cardio you need, and teach you everything about nutrition.  I can teach you the science of habit building.  But if you don’t go to the gym, and sit on the couch eating Doritos each night, then you will not achieve your wellness goals.  Career and executive coaching works the same.

What have clients achieved by working with you?

Let me share a few specific case studies (I’ve used a first initial to protect my clients’ privacy):

• H was an attorney at a large, global law firm, rising quickly from summer to senior associate when a new manager started to undermine her confidence through microaggressions.  Rather than shrinking herself, H and I formulated a plan to utilize her network and transfer to a new firm with a healthier culture – and she made partner within a year.  But more than that, H was able to redirect her energy towards her personal goal of starting a family.
• N was at a start-up that was a bit chaotic, but she didn’t want to leave because her intuition told her that the company was close to being acquired.  If she walked away prematurely, she’d lose her equity stock.  But if she stayed, she knew the unhealthy culture would eat away at her soul.  Together we formulated a plan for her to negotiate a leave of absence and return to a part-time schedule once that leave expired.  It paid off: the company was eventually acquired, making N a wealthier woman than she was before, and re-emphasizing one of life’s most important lessons:  always, always, always listen to your intuition.
• S had an extensive history of contract gigs, working as an attorney on a variety of corporate projects.  This supported her nomadic lifestyle and allowed her to travel extensively, which was her priority at the time.  When she became interested in transitioning to full time employment, she had a problem gaining traction.  We revamped her resume, consolidating her professional experience in a way that was appealing to hiring managers and recruiters.  Once we revamped her resume, she received two interview requests in a matter of days!
• J was excelling at her role in marketing for a large, global tech company, until a new boss entered the scene. He not only began to undermine her confidence, but also violated her personal boundaries.  Together, we build a strategy to report the situation, and we went through a “best case” and “worse case” analysis.  Because the new manager had violated both employee boundaries and the company’s values, J was reassigned to a new manager, and I’m happy to report that the new boss was invited to seek other employment (aka, he was fired).
• A was feeling meh about her job when she was laid off out of the blue.  Together, we evaluated her temperament, talents, and working style to determine that entrepreneurship was her next right move.  Today, she is running a successful speaking and coaching business.
• M came to me to prep for her annual review.  She wanted to ensure that she was on the right track for promotion.  Together, we positioned her strengths and values in the best light.  After a few short months, she was promoted to director level.

When has a client not achieved results?

When they play small.  I’ve had a few clients over the years who have been unwilling to step out of their comfort zone.  Sometimes it was trauma. One or two refused to let go of the belief that they were a victim of circumstance.

The truth: I’m not everyone’s cup of tea.  In fact, coaching is a lot like dating; we need to be a good fit and communicate well, which is why I offer a free 30 minute introduction call.  If we’re not a good fit, or I don’t think it’s the right time for you to work with a coach, I will be honest.

How does the coaching process work?

Bottom line, you are in charge.  Each week, you will send me a check-in sheet which should take 10-20 minutes to complete.  It will ask you to reflect on where you are with “homework” and goals, and how you felt throughout the week.  You’ll share this the day before our session.

In each session, I will ask you, “how would you like to use our time,” and you will direct me to what you’d like to discuss and share what help you need.  It’s as simple as that.  I will take notes and track any action items or “homework” for the week ahead.

After each session, I will send you a summary and a list of the homework you agreed to complete.  If you are on a monthly or bimonthly package, you will also have email access to me throughout the week.  Meaning if, for example, you see a new job you’d like to apply for and would like me to review your cover letter, I absolutely will.

What if I have more questions?

Please reach out at kristen@worklikeagirl.co. I’m happy to answer any questions, and schedule your free 30 minute introduction call.