These testimonials are from leaders of global corporations, including expatriates in leadership roles, whose on-the-job effectiveness and career trajectories improved as a direct result of GLOBAL LEADERSHIP COACHING.
“With her compassionate coaching style, Willa adapted every session to my specific challenges of the moment.”
Willa Hallowell was my coach for three years when I was on an international assignment for J&J. Through her assistance, I drove a massive change-management agenda. She helped me interpret resistance to change by separating observation from interpretation, and she encouraged me to always start with compassion, even with difficult people or unsettling situations.
Willa has a contextual, personalized approach to coaching. With her compassionate style, she adapted every session to my specific challenges of the moment. I significantly improved my self-awareness and self-management by working with her on challenges as they emerged, e.g., working with a difficult person or group, using a broader repertoire of leadership tools, or reaching a calmer center.
Willa believes in the balance among body, mind, and feelings. She teaches you to listen to what your body is telling you, and how to deploy your body to broaden your impact. Drawing on her broad global expertise, she encouraged me to watch Bollywood movies to better understand how to work with Indian partners! Much of her advice is still part of my day-to-day approach to leadership challenges, such as separating my reaction from my response. Without hesitation, I recommend her as an executive coach.
“I wouldn’t have been promoted to my current role if management hadn’t noticed the changes I went through.”
I do not think that I would have been promoted to my current role (less than one year after moving to the U.S.) if my management hadn’t noticed the changes I went through, thanks to my coaching with Willa Hallowell. Since this promotion, my businesses have been growing and the overall feedback I received for my mid-year performance review was quite strong. I was blessed to work with someone with a rare sense of authenticity in her relationships, someone willing to go beyond the scope of her assignment when the outcome required it, someone who makes you feel that she will always be available for you. In French, I would say that Willa is a Grande Dame.
“Having an external coach was very powerful for me. I could discuss objectively with John and deepen my understanding. It was a great development opportunity.”
The working environment in the U.S. was different from that of Japan. Many ways in which Americans communicate were clearly beyond my cultural comfort zone. Before I acted, I wanted to anticipate potential questions and/or disagreements from other colleagues. John was a great companion with whom to discuss such moments. He gave me accurate cultural translations and guided me as to what I could expect. Through my experience with John I was able to enrich my leadership methods by adding some new ways to assess, influence, and lead people. The value of having an external coach was very powerful for me. I could have dialogues with John when I experienced success and failure. I could discuss objectively with him and deepen my understanding of what went well and what didn’t. It was a great development opportunity.
“Your coach has tremendous experience in whatever has to do with culture, change, and development.”
Willa Hallowell has a tremendous understanding and experience in whatever has to do with culture, change, and development. I can count on one hand the number of people who really impressed me in my life, and she is one of them.
“What I learned not only benefited my professional assignment but also my life. “
Your coaching offered me additional ears and eyes on my adaptation. It continuously shed light for me in a rational way yet with great compassion. What I learned from Willa Hallowell’s coaching not only benefited my professional assignment but also my life. It was a really enjoyable learning process, and it touched my heart.
| I will be more than happy to recommend your company! I would particularly stress the benefit of your coaching on my day-to-day work.
Arnaud Dubarry, replying to request for a testimonial
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“Your coaching led to more respectful, open, and collaborative engagements with my team and other teams.”
My coach helped me to gain deeper levels of self-awareness, and to become calmer, more reflective, and more emotionally balanced when dealing with challenging situations, relationships, and change. I recognized and overcame obstacles within myself that had kept me from trusting myself and others. This led to more respectful, open, and collaborative engagements with my team and other teams. My ability to influence others and make informed decisions by relying on others’ competence without having to control all the details has raised my effectiveness. And I was able to identify the limits within myself that kept me from experimenting with new ways of involving teams and colleagues. All in all, I feel more resourceful, confident, and ready to show positive leadership in my new role in Italy. I will always be grateful for this opportunity.
“My foreign colleagues even commented on my cultural sensitivity!”
My three coaching experiences with Willa Hallowell’s team (pre-assignment, in-country, and post-return) were extremely valuable to me both personally and professionally. I gained a greater understanding of myself and how to communicate most effectively for a successful adaptation in my host country. My foreign colleagues even commented on my cultural sensitivity! Now that I am home, my coach, Jo Ann Ross, has been instrumental in helping me reacclimate to home and my new role. She has provided me with insightful coaching that is helping me leverage my personal strengths and expand my leadership role within the company. My thinking is continuously broadened with each session, and I feel forever enriched for greater successes in life. I would highly recommend Willa Hallowell Coaching to others.
“A new CEO shared with me the learning he got from his [Willa Hallowell Coaching] coach when in his previous company.”
This might be interesting for you: Recently I had a meeting in a company with a new CEO; it concerned coaching assignments for his Board. During the conversation he shared with me the learning he got from his coach when still in his previous company, Johnson & Johnson, as a participant in the International Development Program. His eyes were happy and voice proud when he was talking about the experience. As the world is small I know that it had to be a Willa Hallowell coach who had such an impact!
| I have seen a marked improvement in the approach [the coachee] is taking toward communications and general work on the project. He has been very positive about his experience with Willa Hallowell’s coach.
Unsolicited e-mail to Willa Hallowell from the supervisor of a coachee
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“The result: My team is raving about me and the other teams we work with, too.”
First thing, I realize that you had a wonderfully huge impact on me. I am more self-confident and aware of what kind of leader I am. I am being who I am: pleasant, positive, and caring despite the very negative energy there is on the floor sometimes. Of course I kept my fighting spirit but in a more positive way. The result: My team is raving about me and the other teams we work with, too.
“Through the coaching I was able to successfully expand Japan-specific product needs into worldwide needs.”
The coaching sessions Kathy provided me during my transition were a true leadership development experience. She asked me about the critical stakeholders involved in my assignment & projects, and started the conversation with me on how to engage necessary stakeholders in order to make the project happen. Through the coaching I was able to elaborate on what needs to happen for me to be successful in the assignment I’m in. I was able to successfully expand Japan-specific product needs into worldwide product needs by conducting necessary voice-of-customers and engaging critical stakeholders. My project was successfully chartered in the company. This experience really highlighted the importance of how to approach a new assignment and manage expectations by appropriately approaching the critical stakeholders.
“I developed my skills, style, and approach to better lead my organization and harness its true cultural power.”
Your organization has an excellent coaching staff for executive situations! I lead a global organization with many diverse cultures, skill sets, and personalities, which without proper guidance can result in a less valuable end product. Through the coaching offered by Kathy Molloy of Willa Hallowell Coaching, I further developed my skills, style, and approach to better lead my organization, harness the true cultural power of the group, and provide best-in-class deliverables.
| This [coaching workshop] isn’t just about my adaptation. This workshop is about optimizing my assignment!
Spontaneous comment of an expatriate during a coaching session
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These testimonials are from leaders of global corporations, including expatriates in leadership roles, whose on-the-job effectiveness and career trajectories improved as a direct result of GLOBAL LEADERSHIP COACHING.
“As a team lead, coaching allowed me to become effective in my leadership team and more influential overall.”
I had the opportunity to work with Kathy Molloy as a business coach with the objective of developing more effective global business communications. As a new global team lead, my work with Kathy allowed me to become effective within my leadership team and more influential overall. I have been able to apply the principles across projects and roles successfully, making this opportunity one of the most valuable in my professional development.
“My coach’s words of wisdom pop into my head when I’m facing difficult situations!”
Jo Ann’s empathy, optimism, good heart, and extraordinary coaching skills were key during my expatriate assignment. She helped me become a better person, professionally and personally. I will always cherish her advice. In fact, her words of wisdom pop into my head when I’m facing difficult situations!
“My difficult expatriate experience turned out to be successful because you helped me…”
Reflecting on how difficult [my expatriate assignment in the United States] was, I cannot thank you enough for your support and leadership. My experience turned out to be successful because you helped me in the most difficult phase in my career (and possibly, life). The learning I’ve gone through has equipped me with tools I could use in any occasion. I see it and I apply it!
| I found the session most valuable and Michael a fantastic coach. Looking forward to my future sessions.
E-mail to Willa Hallowell from Jonathan Reid about his coach [India]
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“Your coach provided challenge and focus. She provided the ‘smack’ as well as the support I needed.”
Working with Kathy Molloy has made a difference in my professional life: It has made me a more effective leader in the organization. I have received positive feedback on my growth as a leader from many people in my direct working environment, as well as my peers and senior management. All see a more considerate, balanced, and constructive leader, with a high level of commitment and energy to get the right things done in the right way. Kathy has provided challenge, focus, and increased my understanding of human interactions. She has provided the ‘smack’ as well as the support I needed.
“I matured as a person in the time we worked together and expanded my leadership repertoire significantly.”
For about 2.5 years, Vanessa is working with me as my coach and I am truly grateful for and impressed by the fantastic and deeply caring support Vanessa gives me. She approaches our coaching in a holistic way, covering all areas of life which as a whole have an impact on my performance as a leader in my job, excels at true listening and going deep, connecting topics that at first glance seem not connected. We managed to distill what is the essence of leadership and purpose in life and job for me, what is holding me back, what is propelling me forward and can be accelerated, and helped me to become more and more self-aware. As a result, I feel I have greatly matured as a person in the time we worked together and expanded my leadership repertoire significantly. Vanessa is not the first coach I work with, but without any doubt has had the most profound and lasting positive impact of all coaches on me and my leadership.
| Kathy is a brilliant listener and has a unique talent in identifying the exact resources, tools, and mentoring I needed for my new role in my new country.
Reply to a request for feedback from Peter Hawkes regarding his coach [USA]
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“I had no interest in coaching before I met [my coach], as I thought I knew a lot and it was a waste of time.”
I met Jo Ann Ross in 2009 and worked with her until 2012. I had no interest in coaching before I met her as I thought I knew a lot and it was a waste of time. [But] from our first meeting, I felt I wanted to work with her. She helped me overcome some deep seated fears that were holding me back in my career but, up to meeting Jo Ann – I had never stated…to anyone. Jo Ann worked with me through this and helped me overcome it, which was truly liberating. If Jo Ann [hadn’t been] there, I believe I wouldn’t have had the reflective insights [about] how to deal with other experiences in the future. I also believe that, without Jo Ann, my confidence to lead and trust in my instincts, according to my principles and values, would not be as pronounced as it is now. Jo Ann accelerated my learning. I don’t know how you quantify that, Cornelius.
Two years later, Mr. Doyle told his former coach of his experience with a potential new employer:
“The WW VP of HR stated that she had never seen anything as powerful as some of the answers I gave.”
After seven face-to-face interviews and a battery of online tests, I got an offer last week to join them as General Manager. During one interview, I was asked about what have you done to develop yourself as a leader, and I discussed what [you and I] did to conquer public speaking with my superiors, etc. The WW VP of HR stated that she had never seen anything as powerful as some of the answers I gave. I thought it was quite special that even though we haven’t worked together for over two years, the positive effect of our relationship endures. The process gave me a whole new raft of ideas and areas that I would like to work on.
| Liliana, I will always be able to use what I have learned from you and from this program, regardless where I will be. You are the best!
E-mail from Telma Santos to her coach [USA]
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“We used the full 3.5 hrs intensively discussed about cultural leadership – time passed so early!”
I had a coaching session with David last Friday and would like to give you several feedback. We used full 3.5 hrs intensively discussed about cultural leadership – time passed so early! Focused on how to make my 18 months successful and how to take the next global opportunity after this assignment. This coaching session was great, so fruitful. What more, David was great for me as executive coach. All what he said was simple, candid, and precise. I like this. I appreciated this opportunity.
“Your coach really helped me work on the development areas but, more important, to create self-awareness.”
I just would like to mention the pleasure it has been working with Liliana; she has been a great coach. Her advice really helped me to work on the development areas but what I think it is more important to create self-awareness. This opportunity has really impacted my career in a very strong way.
“Coaching was of great assistance for my interaction with the different people/cultures in the plant.”
I’ve been having two huge learning opportunities. [One was] cross-cultural coaching. [This] was extremely helpful for my initial adaptation and continues to be of great assistance for my professional interaction with the different people/cultures in the plant.
These testimonials are from leaders of global corporations, including expatriates in leadership roles, whose on-the-job effectiveness and career trajectories improved as a direct result of GLOBAL LEADERSHIP COACHING.
| You certainly made an impact on my life and for that I will always be grateful.
E-mail from Joyce Green to her coach [USA]
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“I struggled to do my job and overcome cultural barriers; you helped me tackle the situation in a mature way.”
I remember the day I was struggling, not only to find the best way to do my job but also how to overcome some cultural barriers, and you promptly identified the key issues and helped me address and tackle the situation in a very mature way. After my 2012 performance appraisal review, I decided to write to you a few words to express how thankful I am for the leadership and counseling you gave me and are still giving during my assignment. I remember the day I was struggling, not only to find the best way to get my job done but also how to overcome some cultural barriers, and you promptly identified the key issues and helped me address and tackle the situation in a very mature way. As a result, I was able to turn around the situation and make lemonade out of lemons! You were the turning point in my assignment and key to my success.
“At Tuck’s Executive Education program, we touched on many topics you and I worked on during my coaching.”
I went to Tuck School of Business for an Executive Education program (Strategic Financial Leadership course). This was a great experience. We touched on many of the topics you and I worked on during my coaching session…. In preparation of the course I had to do a 360, focused on leadership, and I was positively surprised by the feedback from Senior leaders. It really showed that I matured in these areas over the past 1.5 years, which is also thanks to your coaching. So thank you again for coaching me.
| “I enjoyed every bit of the learning. It has helped me become a better person. Trust me, I could go on for hours.”
Unsolicited e-mail from a coachee to his coach
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“It was such a positive overall experience for me, I was just left hungry for more…”
Jo Ann Ross’s balance of personal connection (genuine caring) and helping to identify and unlock the personal motivation and sense of purpose behind the performance of an individual was powerful. She also made much appreciated efforts to connect her coaching support to my learning and development function, sending relevant resources, articles, etc., and asking very relevant questions re my unit. It was such a positive overall experience for me, I was just left hungry for more….
“I had questions about the value of our anticipated session, but you more than delivered on your promise.”
Thank you for a fantastic [repatriation coaching] session. As you know, I had questions about the core value of our anticipated session, especially given the current craziness of our life right now, but you more than delivered on your promise. You were an absolute delight to meet and work with, and the insights we developed together will stay with me for a very long time (I expect forever). I am currently in Japan and excited about applying some of our go-forward actions toward greater success and more importantly greater joy both personally and professionally.
| And thanks once again for the superb contribution you and your team of coaches make to the [women’s leadership] program. It is a real pleasure working with you.
Liz de Wet, director of a developmental program for 30 women business leaders [Europe]
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“Coaching helped me understand how to interact with the people here and adapt to the corporate culture.”
I’d just like to tell you that my coaching sessions have been a real step forward for me. They helped me to better understand how to work and interact with people here at work, and to adapt myself to the local corporate culture. Our working sessions always pointed out the areas where I can improve my skills and better anticipate changes. In addition, all sessions really helped me to know myself better as a person, identifying my strengths as well as my weaknesses.
“Your coach had practical knowledge of the insides of organizations, not just a theory that a book advises.”
The coaching was very, very helpful. Marie-Pascale helped me to become a more self-aware and self-conscious person. Marie-Pascale is amazing. She was able to find exactly the right techniques and ways to clearly and fast get me to realize things. Her professionalism and good heart were really doing magic for me. She had understanding and practical knowledge of the insides of organizations, not just a theory that a book advises. It has been an honor working with Marie-Pascale and it has been a very enriching experience.