Success Facilitation Insights
The Success Facilitation Insights podcast shares practical strategies, fresh perspectives, and inspiring conversations to help individuals and organisations thrive. Each episode offers insights to support growth, wellbeing, and sustainable success in your personal and professional life.
Success Facilitation Insights
How a Highland upbringing sparked a life in coaching
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What if the key to progress isn’t more advice, but better questions in a space where you can finally hear yourself think? That’s the pulse of this conversation with Rheanna, a people and culture manager and founder of Lumio Coaching, as we trace the thread from Highland roots to practical tools for modern leadership and personal growth.
We dive into the real challenges new managers face when promotions arrive without training, and how coaching paired with psychometrics turns friction into flow. Rheanna shares why autonomy beats instruction, how values create alignment that lasts, and the simple rituals that build confidence one week at a time. We unpack the difference between coaching, mentoring, and therapy, bust the myth that coaching is only for people in crisis, and outline how to find a coach who fits your style, whether that’s face to face, online, or on a reflective walk outdoors.
The Highlands show up as a character of their own: community, warmth, and time to talk. Those early lessons inform Rheanna's approach to psychological safety, clearer communication, and seeing the person behind the role. We explore best‑self and shadow self patterns, sharing profiles with partners and teams, and designing work so complementary strengths meet at the right moments. You’ll hear candid stories, practical frameworks, and a reminder that growth has no age limit alignment beats hustle, and small steps compound fast.
If you’re curious about leadership coaching, nature coaching, or using psychometrics to improve team dynamics and everyday life, this is your map. Listen, reflect, and then pick one action your future self will thank you for. If the conversation resonates, subscribe, share it with a friend who’d benefit, and leave a quick review to help more people find the show.
www.successfacilitation.co.uk
Host Intro And Episode Setup
SPEAKER_01Hi, I'm Jenna McCormick, the founder of Success Facilitation. If you've ever felt stuck or unsure of your next steps or just caught in a rut, this podcast is for you. And if your team struggles with communication, collaboration, or even sometimes feels a bit toxic, then you're definitely in the right place. I'm passionate about helping people unlock their potential and one of my favourite tools is print, the psychometric tool. A framework that completely changed my own life. I'm actually the only print facilitator based in Scotland, and I can't wait to share its impact with you. In this series you'll hear real conversations with the CEOs, our leaders, and my very first boss, even my weak cousin, as we chat about growing up in the Highlands. So let's dive in and explore what it really takes to thrive at work and in life. In this episode, we'll explore Rihanna's journey as a coach, the impact of our Highland upbringing, and how psychometric assessments can complement life coaching. Stay tuned for an insightful conversation that promises to inspire and empower. Let's dive in. Hello Rihanna. Amazing to have you on the podcast. Can you introduce yourself, please, for the listeners?
SPEAKER_00Hi Jenna, thank you so much for having me on your podcast. I always love chatting to you, so I'm sure this episode will be a lot of fun. So I'm Rihanna and I live in the Highlands of Scotland from a small town called Tain, but now live in an even smaller community called Laierg. I guess I'm gonna let the listeners know that I'm also your cousin, so that's something that I'm sure we'll delve into and have some funny stories throughout the podcast. Much like you, I've aligned with coaching and learning and development throughout my career and work currently as a people and culture manager, but also have recently obtained my coaching qualification, which yeah, I'm currently exploring. Um I have a number of years of experience within people and culture and like a chunk of that time being in the hospitality industry. Brilliant. So you've recently launched Lumio coaching, is that right? Yeah, so recently created my own coaching business and its name is Lumio. I'm still remaining in my full-time position as people and culture manager, and that's purely because I really still love the buzz of being within an organization. But I do have a number of coaches, some individuals that are entrepreneurs starting their own businesses, and then a number of individuals that have recently taken on kind of new management positions. So that's yeah, I'm extremely passionate about all things people. Amazing, yeah.
Supporting New Leaders At Work
SPEAKER_01Yeah, it's one of my favorite areas is um actually developing those or working with individuals that are new to leadership, if you like. Because I always find, and I think this is my journey, is that actually, do you know, in the workplace, if you do a really good job in your role that you're employed to do, it's likely at some point, you know, if a management position comes up and you apply for it, then you're gonna have the skills and everything you need to get into that position because you're doing such a fantastic job on the ground. But often that comes without any sort of guidance, training, learning and development, if you like, around what is leadership, what is management. But it's actually an area for me that I'm really passionate about is that kind of emerging into leadership and how we support those individuals.
SPEAKER_00I've had my own experience of that as being a young manager and how you kind of differentiate from being a colleague to then managing a team and learning about all the different sorts of people that you can be managing throughout that process. So, yeah, something I'm really I guess one of my biggest challenges was that. So love being able to support individuals now that currently are feeling the same. Like technically their expertise is nailed and they're on to the next step. So it's how do they find their kind of own leadership style and get into that flow, which I love being a part of that journey because once you see someone landing and knowing how they lead and understanding their people, it's so great to see people flourish.
Highland Childhood And Grandad Stories
SPEAKER_01You're right, that's what it's all about, isn't it? It's like taking them on that journey and guiding them in the right direction. But actually, they've got all the answers to have you there, just helping them grow and develop into that role is is amazing. Let's chat a little bit then about what are some of your favourite memories from our childhood in the Highlands?
SPEAKER_00So I loved growing up in the Highlands, um I guess I knew nothing else. Outdoors is hugely on my memory list. The freedom, the chaos, and all the community sense around. When I do think back to the funnest times, it always included the outdoors. Still to this day, my partner, my dogs never really get any rest when I'm about because I always want to be outdoors. It was just always knowing that someone was going to be around. Everyone knew everybody, so you're always just out hanging about, uh, you know, making potions for perfume, for like your granny would be next door to your best friend's house. So you always knew people, and I think it was just really freeing, and there was lots of freedom, and yeah, it was just always about nature.
SPEAKER_01Yeah, I think that's it, isn't it? It was always been outdoors, but do you know what it was it was always just the best playground imaginable growing up in the highlands. One of my favourite memories, actually. Do you remember Grandad? Like so, Grandad was obviously like a big part of both our lives, wasn't he? He was like, yeah, he was always there and he was always chat. I think that's like why we are so chatty, because he would just literally chat to anyone. And I guess we spent like you spent a lot of time with him. I probably didn't spend as much time with him as you did, but I feel like we've both taken that kind of characteristic from him. He was just kind, wasn't he? And he he just genuinely wanted to make someone's day. But I always remember Granny would only give him a pound to get petrol.
SPEAKER_00Was that so he didn't get cigarettes?
SPEAKER_01Well that was probably involved in but I thought it was so he didn't leave the town so that he couldn't leave team because he would go miss him for so long. That um well she gave him a fiver or a tener, then she wouldn't see him all day. So she would give him three pounds so that he literally couldn't get out of the tane. Um because he was always gallivanting, and I think that is just the highlands though, isn't it? Like you're always gallivanting her up to something, or there's just always something to do or someone to be around.
SPEAKER_00Yeah, I mean Grandor used to always pick me up in the car and it'd be an adventure. I mean, the randomest adventures ever. We'd go just chatting with his mates. Like I must have been hanging around with probably like 60, 70 year olds at the age of like 10. But yeah, it was fun, it was funny. I still know nothing about mechanics, but he'd take me to like his garage friends that would be talking about cars. And I'm surprised I can't like fit my own wheel now. But yeah, what he was like you say, I think definitely there's something there in terms of his kindness and how he always had time to chat to everyone. Probably people he's probably one of those people that would just chat the ears off anyone, but he was yeah, good fun and had a lot of good humour with it, and definitely, and he's definitely a pivotal part of my childhood for sure.
How The Highlands Shaped Values
SPEAKER_01Yeah, I have so many fond memories there, and um yeah, I'm laughing there, you hanging out with the 67-year-olds, like and actually growing up, it is just time, it's having connection and time, and I guess Granda gave that. How do you think growing up in the Highlands has shaped who we are today?
SPEAKER_00I think I've always taken it for granted. Um living in the Highlands for sure. But I guess it made me curious. I've always been curious about like the bigger world, fascinated by the brighter lights, what's going on elsewhere in the world, but still having that strong community sense about me. We knew everyone in the neighbourhood growing up, so there was that complete connection, and I think connection is something I am still kind of very much based around in my day-to-day life, like making those connections, making everyone feel heard and seen and valued. And it really in the Highlands it is that it's about knowing your neighbours' names, their dogs' names, their grandparents' names. And it really meant something to understand people's makeup and probably why they were the way they are. And yeah, I think do you see you see people for who they are? And I think authenticity is my core value and something I carry in my everyday life, whether that be in personal relations or in work. And I guess when you're in a small community, you do have to be authentic, like there's no hiding from who you are, and I think it's lovely because everyone knows everyone, but also it's you know, it's at our own detriment as well when you've been out on the weekends and everyone then knows the scandal on the Monday. But yeah, I think it definitely made me, you know, appreciate that connection and that authenticness about yourself and to to be you, and also curiosity because as you all know, Jenna, I have moved around a number of times, um, but I always kind of find my way back to the Highlands, which um not entirely sure why. I just am always really drawn back to home. So I think although I'm curious to hear about other people and other cultures and see how other people live and learn new things, I definitely say I I I am I'll always be based in the Highlands. But curiosity, authenticity, I think is what's really been shaped just from like where we've grown up. I totally agree.
SPEAKER_01Um that does make me laugh though. You're saying, yeah, you don't get away with anything, do you? Everyone knows in a Monday what happened on the Saturday and the Sunday. No matter what that was, whether it was Chapadori Run or one too many at the bar, then your granny's gonna know. Um yeah, but it was that a strong sense of belonging, wasn't it? Everyone she said, knowing everyone and just that I guess it created the culture of everyone just looking out for each other then. And that's what's kind of carried through, I would say, into the approach and around coaching or business is just that sense of, you know, connection and listening to others and and caring for, you know, those around about you.
SPEAKER_00I don't know if it's just a Highland thing or if it's maybe kind of north, but that is that warmth, and I think that's the essence that I get strongly in. Feel that I I don't know if I would be I don't think I would have the same kind of thoughts about life if there wasn't that much more space and time, I guess, in the Highlands. You do have time to speak to everyone, you do have time to be warm, it's a different pace altogether.
unknownIt's lovely.
Why Rihanna Chose Coaching
SPEAKER_01Oh yeah, absolutely. I think you're right, you you've jotted about, so you kind of have experienced city life or living in in also living remotely in different locations, I guess. Um, and what that's felt like. So you do have a good sense of what you know, our good experience of how how that's felt in other places in terms of that culture and and living and being a part of a different community.
Psychometrics In Teams And Life
SPEAKER_00And you can feel it, the pace up here. And sometimes, I guess when I first moved home, it was like, wow, I want something done and I want it done yesterday, because I was still kind of living in that. I guess when I lived down in Wales, things would be done a lot quicker. Same as when I was in Glasgow for a period of time. Things are done quicker, the expectation is we're quicker. Whereas in the Highlands, it's not like that. You have the time and you spend the time. And yeah, I I'm not I've liked all the different things, but I think it is, yeah, Highlands will always be home. Yeah, no, I hear you. I get it. What inspired you to become a life coach? So I guess for me, I have felt stuck on so many occasions myself and felt like I was capable of more. When I started to further understand my own values and understand my own misalignment, I started to reconnect with what truly mastered. And I've always been so keen to understand why values held such a pivotal point in my like why did I hold them so highly and why did I want to connect with them? And I realized that when I gave myself my own grace and gave myself autonomy to come up with my own answers, I connected to them differently. And it almost felt like a light switched on. You know, when you've got a plan and you kind of want to follow the status quo and you take advice, but when I was kind of taking my own steps and realising what my own values were and working on that, I realised that I aligned much easier and I connected differently. And obviously, we're working within people teams. I have become slightly obsessed with understanding the like how people show up, how unique they are, and you find out really early on in a people and culture kind of background that if you like you need to understand that people are different and they're going to respond to things differently, and how to get the best out of those people, and what you know, tailoring your approach for that. So there was there was also much potential with teams that I worked with in, and I I always wanted to be able to support them in the best way possible. And I guess for for me it was finding the best ways to tap into that, and then I came across coaching, and I thought, wow, like what is this? How does it work? And it was really giving people their own autonomy to kind of make their own decisions, but just being there and holding the space, being curious, wanting to know more about them. And you know, then I looked into more about psychometrics and you know, love energy at that point. So I read Surrounded by Idiots by Thomas Erickson, and that really resonated with me in terms of okay, now I understand it's how to approach things, and that's when I I guess started to really explore what coaching was not about changing people to fit a mold or to fit a certain policy or a procedure, but actually finding out who they were, why they acted that way, and helping support them to get to their goals and their objectives. And see when you see that happening and taking a coaching approach, there's like no better feeling than when someone's absolutely nailed their own dream or their own goal and just holding that space for them.
SPEAKER_01That sounds amazing, and you're right. I think everyone is capable of that. It's just how we're approached by different individuals and people giving us that space, as you say, just to be able to reflect and have a think about the questions that that are being asked and being able to give answers that are aligned with how we feel, and then we realise that actually the answers are coming from us, and and that's an amazing space to create for people.
SPEAKER_00I think as as a manager, and Jenna, you've been a manager as well. You know, you often have some great ideas, or you think they're great ideas, but actually your team already know what they're doing. Do you know what I mean? So it's like working with them as best as possible to really understand why they do the things they do the way they do it. And is there any other way to do it? But giving them that autonomy to h hold, you know, like to ha make their own decisions and is definitely a way that I've loved managing people with the coaching approach, but also you know, in clean coaching sessions as well. It's excellent.
SPEAKER_01I think that's where um psychometrics is almost invaluable in terms of that team dynamic and really understanding the people that we work closest with and why they do what they do, think what they think, and feel what they feel, and how they show up in that best, most productive version of that. What is the most unproductive version and what are some strategies that they can work on to be that best self and for us to start to understand the different characters and how how to work work alongside them actually. It's really invaluable for teams, the psychometric stuff.
SPEAKER_00100%. I I was so lucky to have worked with some amazing leaders and managers and learn from them, I guess. And also very early on in my career, psychometrics was brought in. So I've always had that to kind of rely on, and I just can't imagine now being in a team or a bigger team or managing managing people without understanding what their psyche is. And obviously, you've you know, when you look at people's profile, it's not genuine them on the the day-to-day, but it gives you their kind of preferred way of working, learning, engaging. And I just think it just opens up that really easy communication tool as to okay, I understand, and I am very much a kind of my energy is pe around people and quite bright and engaging, but also probably overbearing if you're quite detailed. Um whereas if you were a detailed person before or quite a direct person, I might find that quite tricky to, you know, I'm not very direct in anything I do. Um so I'd find that probably quite abrasive. And if you're quite detailed, I'd find that quite frustrating because I just want to get things done. I want to have fun, I want to get excited about things. And if you're thinking about like, how are we gonna do that? How are, you know, all the plans, I'm not there for that. But actually understanding why people do that and how you can balance that. So now if I'm planning like an engagement event, I can bring the fun to it, probably, maybe, who knows? Ask some of my calls, but I need someone that's more detailed to really think about right, okay. Well, what's the budget? What's the time plan? How are we gonna make this work? And we bat off each other. Whereas before, I think back to my days, days back when I was kind of in hospitality and in the operational element of hospitality. I find that also boring. Um, which is not, I'm not proud to say that, but actually having that psychometric tool and being able to learn about people and learn about how you can balance that out, and also learning to know when I need to dial my energy down and kind of up my detail element. I know it's going to take more energy from me because it's not something I naturally like to do, but actually it's so so important. And I think, like you say, it is invaluable for teams to really have that opportunity to understand people's psychometrics. You spend so much time at work, and I think if you don't understand the people you work with, it's yeah, it's tricky or kind of blind. You're going to blind.
SPEAKER_01Yeah, it can change everything for you, really, in terms of how you interact. And like you're saying there, knowing your kind of blind spots and then how to use them when you need to, or you know, tap into that to make certain plans go ahead the way that you want them to. All really interesting stuff, but I would say psychometrics for me as well was almost life-changing when I learnt about myself in that way. I've done many psychometric tools actually. My favourite one is is obviously print the psychometric tool, but yeah, I've done many psychometrics, and I do feel blessed to be as self-aware as I am.
Coaching Versus Mentoring And Therapy
SPEAKER_00Yeah, I think you make a really good point about self-awareness, and you definitely have like you've always spoken about psychometrics, I guess, since we've been younger and you've you've been using them. And I think self-awareness is something probably you take for granted. But actually, when you can read that and it's in black and white about you the good, the bad, the ugly, the stuff that you're happy about yourself, but also giving you kind of pointers as to how you deal with that sort of shadow self, as you would say, is so important because it's not just, you know, when you give this to an employee or when you give an employee the opportunities to have a psychometric testing done, it's not about getting the best of them just at work. It's actually, you know, when I share my profile with my friends or my partner, they're like, Yeah, that's so you. And then I, you know, you can take it everywhere in life. Like I understand that my partner is definitely more details, um, and being on time to to being on time for him means something to him. Whereas being on time for me is like when I'm yeah, it's it's it's not often, um, but you know, also I chall I channel that for work, I'll up that for work, so I'll never be late for work. But actually, if I'm meeting my friends for a coffee, they know to expect me five minutes late. And I guess it's trying, you know, you yeah, psychometrics supports in so many ways, and I think the self-awareness and knowing when you need to have a word with your shadow self, I guess. Absolutely.
SPEAKER_01And I think you know, we we all bring, we all like every human has a best self, and it's just how we show up as that best self. And actually, do you know what we can't all be amazing at everything, and that's absolutely okay, isn't it? Parts of working in a team and achieving things together because we all bring something unique and different which is purposeful and driving things forward.
SPEAKER_00I think if we were it's all it's always if we're all the same, it would be so boring and not just boring, but would it wouldn't probably be that uh effective um if we were all kind of the same. So I think it's so so important to acknowledge those that you know necessarily not out with workplace, you might not necessarily have the same interests, but actually at work you can nail stuff and get get through a project, and how you channel uh like tap into that is so good. I think it's amazing.
SPEAKER_01So, how do you define life coaching then? And what do you believe sets it apart from other forms of personal development?
Misconceptions About Coaching
SPEAKER_00Well, I think it's purely on your terms. If you're getting coached, then it's a safe space that's focused around you. If you're ready to get curious, then it's definitely the best way to do so. I would say, in my personal opinion, I've had a coach and I enjoyed every single minute of it. It's that safe space where you can be truly listened to and it's time where you can talk really freely, openly, and be future focused. I think other element like personal development, it might be mentoring, which I think there's definitely a place for mentoring. I think it's amazing to have a really good mentor in the same field as you. But the best thing about coaching is you don't need to have like as a coach, I don't need to have knowledge in what that individual does on a day-to-day basis. I just need to be there purely for them and listening and holding space. And I think we all live busy lives. I'm a coach, I coach people. I work in a profession where you coach people daily and you listen and you hold space for people daily. But actually, when I'm at home and my partner has to speak to me about something, I definitely would say I listen. But do I listen in the same way a coach would? We're all busy. I'm guilty of getting home, making dinner, we go out, walk the dogs, but you don't have that space. And I think any form of personal development is so, so important, and everything holds a place, whether that be kind of CPD or mentoring or kind of you know, anything you decide to do, whether it be educational or kind of learning on the workplace. But coaching just gives you that safe space with no expectation, just discovering where you want to be, where you are at the moment, and how much does that align? And that's how I kind of go through things with my coaches. And I think when I loved being coached, it just gives you time to make sure that you're living the most fulfilled, flourishing, and aligned life that you possibly can. And I think that's where it's different. Whereas other other uh like personal development kind of is tailored to your job role, I guess. And maybe I'm talking out of turn there, but I definitely think this is whether you're coached at work, whether you're coached personally, it's about you as a whole individual, which I love.
SPEAKER_01I th I think you are right. You know, therapy often focuses on healing the past, doesn't it? And mentoring, yeah, you mentioned mentoring, but I think that's about learning from someone else's experience. Um yeah, and then training that just gives you that specific set of skills that you're looking for. But I guess coaching is unique because it's centered on you and your values and your goals and yeah, your definition of what is success. Um and the coach just leads you through that. Absolutely.
Getting Started With Coaching And Assessments
SPEAKER_00I think you know you can it is much more thinking about the future, and uh, you made a good point about therapy there. It does look at the past, and I think there's definitely a place for all of these things, whether it's workplace, training, CPD, therapy, mentoring, wherever you are at a certain place your life. But if you are in the position and you feel ready to move forward, look to the future and kind of create goals and try and get there and look at alignment, then coaching is yeah, definitely worth exploring. Um I'm just seeing, and I think it's so so important as well that you get a right coach for you. Like there are some people that will gel with any uh coach instantly, and then there's sometimes where it's not an and I love the coaching community where it's really easy that if if I had a coaching call or a um spark session initially, that's what I call it, then and if that that person doesn't gel with me instantly, or if we don't have a good working relationship, it's really open to be like, right, okay, this is fine, but I can recommend you to other people. The coaching community is just everyone I have ever met in the coaching community just wants people to grow, develop, and learn. And I think there's always going to be a coach out there for you if you're listening to this and thinking about coaching, getting a coach, then don't be scared if the first kind of coaching session or your first spark session or you know, um getting to know someone doesn't feel right, then just be honest about that because it really it is about finding the right person that you can trust fully. Because some of the things you share with a coach, I know certainly from my personal experience, some of the things I share with my coach, I I'm very open, but I haven't shared with anyone really, other than probably Craig. It is, and you know, you have these sessions with people and you end up being really open and honest, and that's what you need to get the most out of it. And equally, if you have a coach one part of your life and then you you know you're looking to reach another goal or you ha need a bit of support with something, be open to exploring different coaches or different ways of working, because everyone has a different way, and I think that's the beauty of it. And and the community that we are luckily in, Jenna, I would say is definitely a supportive one. So yeah, I think I'm biased, but you can tell I love coaching.
SPEAKER_01It absolutely is. It's about finding that right coach, isn't it? As you say, and it's a it's about sharing best practice between all um coaches and coaches. Like I, you know, you usually become a part of some sort of group when you train to become a coach or you find your own community local to you that you can engage with, and or whether you know, nowadays I guess that's wider spread than local to you, because yeah, we do work online as well as face-to-face, and there's so many ways to do coaching, isn't there? Like in a walk outdoors, or whether it is face-to-face in a inside setting, or whether it is over Teams or the phone, or just however you want to do that.
Growth At Any Age And Small Steps
SPEAKER_00I think yeah, there's so many options. Something that I've been exploring is nature coaching, so being outdoors, and that's not um kind of yoga outdoors or anything like that. I think some of my friends thought that's what I'd be achieving with this, but no, it's actually just getting out, and there's lots of studies to see, like walking forward, not that formal kind of setting, and being outdoors can really help. But like you say, there's so many options. Some people will not want to do that ever. Some people will want to sit face to face, some people will only want to do teams, some people want to do a phone call. I've done phone call sessions as well, and I think being able to flex that it's amazing. You don't have to do it one way for everyone, and not one shoe will fit all, like we've spoken about throughout this. Is it you can tailor that and you can create that, and you can be as a coach as well, be really curious as to I've tried this and did it work, or could it work better? It's it's definitely something you can be a bit creative in, which I think for me on a personal level is so so important that it doesn't have to be the same. Like each day will be different, each session will be different, each coache will be different, and like you say as well, the communities that you you get to meet and engage with are all so um welcoming, and it's so important to have that supervision and um group of people that you can you know talk about coaching to.
SPEAKER_01So let's chat about then. What are some of the common misconceptions people have about life coaching?
SPEAKER_00So I think misconceptions that I've received since coaching is that some people don't actually know what coaching is. I think people uh instantly think, oh, you're coaching, so that must mean mentoring. So you're kind of like, you know, giving people so I guess if you're coaching in a sport, so if you're I don't know, a sports coach, you're typically good at the sport, I would assume, and you're coaching individuals to be as good as you. So you don't go to someone that's maybe terrible at football to coach you in football, you go to a really good footballer that now is a coach. Obviously, leadership coaching, lifestyle coaching, whatever whatever kind of coaching you focus on is not like that. Like I've said before, it's much more about the person and what their goals are and just holding that space and asking the right questions at the right time and staying curious. It's not about being an expert in their field. I feel like a lot of the kind of initial chats I have with people, I need to be really clear on it's not mentoring, it is not therapy, it is very much I will hold space for you. I will never tell you what to do, I will never really obviously you don't want to leave a coachy at detriment. So if there's points where you can give advice, you can offer to share that. But that's if they don't want you to share them, then that's fine too. So it's really giving people that space. But I guess my initials is always I think people expect it to be mentoring, but it's obviously so different to that. I think that's the main misconception I experience. I don't know about you, Jenna, but yeah, I don't know. Do you have any other misconceptions? I yeah, I'm throwing that back at you, but I think most that's yeah, that's that's what I've experienced.
Goals For Lumio And Next Steps
SPEAKER_01I think you're right, and I think there's also that people thinking that only people that are struggling need to use a coach. But actually, many successful people use coaches just to accelerate their growth and maintain that focus for them. Um then people maybe have that can commitment to continuous improvement in their journey. And I I've also heard people that think life coaches will fix all the problems. And I always think, well, do you know what you're not broken, so it's not gonna fix your problems. It's the role is to facilitate the discussion and and get to that approach and seeing new perspectives or ways of working around uh the situation or scenario or the reason that you're there for coaching. It's about the answers though as well, isn't it? It's like people feeling like the coach has to have all the answers. So there's that bit about fixing the problems, but there's also that bit about people feeling like the coach has all the answers. But actually the job is there to facilitate that discovery session, if you like, and them discovering the problem that they're working through and starting to answer that themselves, but actually having that open conversation with someone.
SPEAKER_00I do get what you mean there about people feeling that they need to be broken to get coaching, but like you say, it's definitely more future focused. There is a lot of people out there that you know wouldn't be without a coach, and it doesn't mean that you're failing to have a coach, um, wouldn't probably see myself without a coach now. I'm currently kind of in a supervision group, but I still find that very much as coaching. Um, I I love it, I love having that space. So yeah, I think it definitely is a way to get the best out of yourself and to be really aligned. I don't think you need to be in a position of yeah, brokenness or in a state of despair to get coached. I think like a lot of people also say, Oh, so you're doing counselling. I think people think I'm counselling, and it's like, no, again, so I think they're There is definitely misconceptions out there. I do think that the amount of people I follow now or speak to that are interested in coaching is amazing. But I do think probably there's a way to go in terms of everyone understanding what true coaching is.
SPEAKER_01I think there is still space for that, isn't there? And just then discussions and people really starting to understand what is that journey they go on when they go on a coaching session. So what advice would you give to someone considering life coaching or psychometric assessments?
Best Advice And Let Them Theory
SPEAKER_00If I was to give someone advice that's interested in coaching, I would tell them to kind of research where to find a coach that fits with them, get on a discovery call or a Spark session or whatever it may be, and just really get to know whether this is going to be the right fit for you. Is it going to be the right person? I think anyone that wants coaching and psychometric, it's never going to be anything but a benefit. You're going to probably do some really valuable work on some self-reflection, understanding your values, understanding what makes you tick, understanding the pros and the cons and everything in between. It's a really great way to get to know more about yourself and to be really future focused with that. I do think everyone needs to experience it. That feeling of when you've made your own decision and you've had that space held for you, there's nothing quite like it. Because you know, like it might be an hour session or two-hour session, whatever the coach, a coach each coach has different amounts of hours of sessions, but really that exploratory and finding out more about yourself, I don't think it'll ever be wasted.
SPEAKER_01How can that time be wasted? As you say, I mean, in terms of if we can become self-aware, if we can develop ourselves based on that self-awareness, or the psychometrics can give us that deep dive into our why and why do we do what we do and think what we think and feel what we feel? None of that can be seen as negative. It can only have a positive impact in your life. How can our listeners then start their journey towards self-improvement and personal growth? What advice would you give there?
Closing Reflections And Listener CTA
SPEAKER_00So I think you've got to understand first and foremost where you want to grow and where you want to develop. Be really clear with that and then discover as to what is going to work for you, what's going to suit with you. If where you want to grow is training and development and you want to learn, then definitely look at that and see where that goes at. But just be really clear with what your own goals are and what your own objectives are. I think we all get kind of bogged down by the day-to-day and getting the kind of job done and um ensuring we do our own job description. But if there's a chance and an opportunity for you to grow and develop, it's taking that time and being really clear and caring for yourself. You know, it's so good, such a boost when you get to grow and develop and learn and make that space, make that time. Get a mentor if it's a mentor you need, look at coaches, reach out to the right people and just take the time for yourself. Um and it's never too late. I think people think, oh well, I'm in my career now and this is what I do. But if there's more for you or if there's a different alignment for you, take that time, take that space and find it and figure it out. Um, because it's never going to be too late. Again, back to that thing of like if you're going to learn something about yourself um or do something that can fully align you with what you want to achieve, then it's never a waste of time.
SPEAKER_01Just try it. I sort of think it is just that small steps, isn't it? And it's ask yourself what is then one thing that you could do a week that your future self would thank you for, and just that one step towards that development or that change before you start considering and looking at, okay, is it coaching? But I think you make a really good point around do you know it's not age specific, is it? It's like actually if you're in your 60s, 70s, 80s, your 20s, your 30s, it doesn't matter where you're at in your journey. If you think you will benefit from having that conversation around actually your future and going on that development journey with a coach, then do it, you know, explore it.
SPEAKER_00What I've loved about, I've learned so much from my coaches, also much, but I've loved having, you know, people from all walks of life, all different ages, all different kind of queries. And each time I get on a call, because you don't know, like people reach out to you for a coaching session, but you don't know what their grill is going to be, you don't know what they do in the day-to-day. That's where the like rapport building and the relationship building comes from, and that's when you get like into that. But actually, it's so interesting to hear about different people and how their life shaped them and everything like that. And I think age is literally just a number for this sort of thing. Like there's just there is no age gap cap on kind of your growth and your development. And I just hope anyone listening to this feels empowered and can just really go and grab your future and move it in the way and shape it in the way that you want it to be.
SPEAKER_01I agree. Do you know what I always say is um I think in life we're all just winging it. I think like there is something about getting older and wiser. Like you definitely get wiser and start making more wiser decisions if you like. We're all just swinging it. And actually, like, yeah, age is just a number, like you that you've just said.
SPEAKER_00If you think about like parents and everyone, like they've n there's not a book. There's not a book written for life. We're all literally just trying to succeed and enjoy life and have a bit of fun along the way. Probably what you wanted ten years I know certainly what I would have wanted ten years ago is everything I have now, and I couldn't be more appreciative of that. So but I don't think about that on the day to day when I'm driving to work and driving home, you know, you just don't. But actually, it's like we're really grateful for what you do have.
SPEAKER_01It's great advice, actually. Um what's so what's your future goals then and aspirations in the field of life coaching? I definitely want to continue my coaching journey, get some um further qualifications.
SPEAKER_00I'm really excited to be going to my graduation on the 20th of November. I think by the time this is out, I'll be still waiting to go actually. I won't have been yet. Yeah, really looking forward to that, and then continue to grow and develop and learn more about psychological safety, um, lots more about our psychometrics, how our psyche works with us, and really just continue my growth as a coach and continuing my people and cultural role as always. Absolutely love kind of that part of my life as well, but really focusing on how we build Lumio and how I grow Lumio and get some kind of collaboration there, some workshops on the go. And ideal would be to be consultant for that. So long way to go, lots of plans for Lumio, lots of more well-being days, which I've done, some vision boards days, and I'd like to do a lot more of that. So 2026 is going to be a busy year, I hope. But yeah, it's just continue growth really.
SPEAKER_01That sounds amazing. And you know what? I'm so proud of you actually and everything you've achieved and where you're at today. I hope you're really proud of yourself as well and what you've achieved, because you should be.
SPEAKER_00Well, likewise, and I don't think I'd yeah, do half of it without you, Jenna. I think our voice notes are very, very long voice notes. So, Jenna, just for the uh listeners, I guess. Jenna and I live quite a number of miles away from each other um now, but there's still voice notes every week. Just chatting about where we're at, and I think yeah, you definitely just should be so proud of yourself as well. And I love where this journey is for both of us. And hopefully one day we'll be changing the world with some form of coaching and psychometric business.
SPEAKER_01That's uh aspiration, isn't it? Like being able to create something and design something together is absolutely something in the future for us. Let me finish with uh this one question. Um, what's one great piece of advice you've been given that you think everyone should hear?
SPEAKER_00So I guess professionally, I would say if your intentions are good, you can never go far wrong. I love that because I do think it's so true. If your intentions are good and you can deliver um you can probably deliver any message and not go wrong. Um then I love um I guess if just another thing that everyone should probably read from my point of view is Let Them Theory by Mel Robbins. I absolutely love that lady. Um so lots of things to kind of learn and have positive impact from that book. So yeah, if you've not heard about it or if you've not read it, get on it. Um Mel Robbins is amazing and I think it just helps you kind of free yourself from lots of things and negativity.
SPEAKER_01So that's hugely positive. Love that advice actually. I really appreciate that. Um to be honest, I've not read any of Mel Robbins again, and if your intentions are good, you absolutely can't go wrong. That's good that to reiterate that and make people hear that. There's there's so much to be felt from just hearing that actually.
SPEAKER_00I think you know, last thing, because I know I'm chatting a lot as always, but I think when I was a younger manager, I would get concerned about going into conversations that you wouldn't necessarily like, you know, but more difficult conversations. And I do feel like that advice was given to me by a great manager, and it's so true. I always feel like okay, I'm going in with care, kindness, compassion. The news might not be what someone wants to hear, but actually I'm feeling all these feelings and I know it's the right thing, so yeah, it definitely helps and it helps your delivery method as well. I think I love it.
SPEAKER_01Yeah, it's definitely something that I've been very aware of. Is that actually, do you know what? This might be a difficult conversation, but it is required because of X, Y, and Z. There's just like taking a more logical approach to the situation. Yeah, no, absolutely, you're right. Um, do you know what? It's been absolutely it's been such a great conversation, and I just want to thank you so much for sharing your insights. Um, I always love our conversations to be honest. Like you mentioned previously, yeah, we do we do chat a lot, don't we? Like we're almost like sisters rather than cousins.
SPEAKER_00I'm an only child, so you've always been much more like a sister than a cousin. So no, it's been great being on the podcast. Keep doing what you're doing. I love it. And yeah, thank you for having me.
SPEAKER_01Thanks so much. You know, I'm sure our listeners will absolutely take some value from this. And if you enjoyed today's episode, make sure you to subscribe, share it with someone who might benefit, and leave a review. Until next time, take care of yourself and keep growing. Thank you.