"Determine that the thing can and shall be done, and then we shall find the way."
Abraham Lincoln

Interview with Ann

The following is an interview of Ann Condon by Bill P., a reporter for a major newspaper.

BILL: What is the client population that you work with?

ANN: I work with women who are considering a shift in career direction or even a whole new career. I help take the risk and fear out of that. Then together we build a structure for them to develop inside of. I also work with women who have been dreaming of a project and are now ready to design for its fulfillment.

BILL: What are some fo the tangible results and benefits that your clients see from working with you?

ANN: Let me tell you some actual quotes from many of my clients:

  • "Ann helped me to restructure and make the changes that made my work more successful both financially and personally."
  • "Ann has a couple of expert assistants that are 'her' in certain situations: one of them reworked my resume so it could be successfully emailed to companies. I got a great job!"
  • "My work with Ann resulted in enormous previously unimaginable accomplishments in my life."
  • "She helped me clear my desk and mind and create an opening for accomplishing my project."
  • "Ann introduced a number of marketing tools that had me thinking and communicating about my project in new and more powerful ways."
  • "Ann was always available by email for between sessions tips and answers."
  • "Ann helped me sort out all the conflicting ideas I had about what was next for me and helped me get the job of my dreams."
  • "Ann Condon has an unfailing ear for what's needed in any given situation and adapts her techniques accordingly. She does what works."
  • "I was inspired, listened to, given clarity, and…experienced myself as powerful. I had 2 art shows while working with Ann."

ANN: Another way you can put what I do for people is: I partner with my clients in creating an opening from which they can

  • discover who it is that they are
  • what their full self-expression is
  • what their deepest dreams are
Then we work to bring this into reality in business, professional or artistic world. Often a shift in focus will clarify the picture.

BILL: How do folks know they can benefit from having a coach?

ANN: They often notice some of the following:

  • Want to talk to an expert
  • May be less than effective at time management
  • Need someone to hold them accountable
  • May not trust self or judgment
  • Need a sounding board
  • Narrow or unclear vision
  • Wanting more velocity
  • Fear
  • Insecurity
  • Conflicting goals
  • Undistinguished chaos

BILL: Most people I know have a few of those each day!

BILL: How did you decide to be a coach?

ANN: The defining point in my career was when I noticed how much I loved leading transformational seminars and coaching psychotherapy clients in taking action to live a life they LOVE, and voila! I became a coach. And I LOVE it!

BILL: Can you say more about that? How long did you lead these transformational seminars?

ANN: About seven years, and of a group of about 200, I was singled out for recognition afforded to only about 35 of us. It was a very successful part of my life.

BILL: And your career as a psychotherapist? Can you tell us about that?

ANN: Sure. I graduated from Boston University GSSW in 1981 with an MSW, and I was in private solo psychotherapy practice for almost 25 years after that. I have been successful beyond my own wildest dreams in that career, both financially and in terms of the difference I have made in people's lives. I realized a few years ago that I was coaching them far more than doing therapy with them.
As soon as I recognized that, I set about getting myself certified as a Business and Professional Coach by NICABM. I actually do many of the same things, such as

  • Making careful distinctions
  • Telling enlightening stories or anecdotes
  • Making appropriate suggestions
  • Listening carefully and creatively
  • Being totally responsible and accountable but in a different context, as we're now working on business and projects, not on emotions and struggles in that area.

BILL: How are you different from the other coaches out there?

ANN: Great question, Bill. First, as I said, I work primarily with women, in career shifts, new beginnings, and projects. Let me tell you how we work. We have conversations and do simple homework which leads clients to distinguish among a multitude of options. They come to see WHO they are being and what ACTIONS express that being. Then they accomplish their project with a minimum of stress and effort and time and a maximum of return on the dollar. We lay out the appropriate actions one step at a time, and they take them and run with them - with me at their side all the way. And, again, I'll defer to my clients' words about how my work is different. These are some of the ways they say I'm unique:

  • "Your Joy of Success brochure attracted me right away with the temptation that I could find joy in a job!"
  • "I achieved what I didn't think was possible."
  • "Ann helped me expand my vision of what I could do."
  • "Ann is a highly competent and dedicated coach with a proven track record."
  • Ann has what it takes to get beyond the everyday chaos that competes for our attention - to life's real issues.
  • Ann has an uncanny ability to cut straight to the heart of the matter and rapidly guide you to results with humor and grace."
  • "I worked with Ann in a coaching relationship which made a significant difference in the velocity of accomplishing 2 important projects."
  • "It was impressive to watch Ann watch me as she raised the bar over and over for me to experience success."
And, of course, as I said before, Bill, I am the only career coach I know of who works almost exclusively with women!

BILL: How do you choose who to work with?

ANN: I really only work with people who have already wished upon a star, so to speak, and have seen how far that got them, and now want to be pretty serious and focused and work with a lot of intention and velocity. I cherry-pick my clients.

BILL: What do you mean by that?

ANN: Well, I'd like to speak for a moment about my ideal client. Not every client has all of these characteristics, but the people I work successfully with and have the best results have many of these qualities:

MY IDEAL CLIENT

  • Asks great questions
  • Speaks their heart
  • Acknowledging/Appreciative
  • Keen listening
  • Sensitive/respectful
  • Active thinking
  • Good follow-through
  • Generous spirit
  • Open to possibility
  • Look at what doesn't work and be willing to shift
  • Take some risks
  • Recognize value of coach's insights
  • Willing to rely on our mutual assessment and go with it!
  • Inventive/innovative
  • Wants people like themselves around them
  • Willing to have me raise the bar
  • Looking for the AHA!! Moment - I can see how to do it!

BILL: Sounds as though you know your business well, and you're certainly very enthusiastic! It's catching!

ANN: Well, one more thing of note. The truth is, most people I know could benefit from having a coach. I have one myself, of course, and have had since I became a coach. You know, there's no requirement for us to work alone, so why should we think we must?
I love being on my own but also having my coach to call, and my 2 assistants: Priscilla, who works with me on creative matters, and Glo who handles all the technological and computer stuff.

BILL: So you have quite a staff?

ANN: Yes, and I have Pam who prepares people's resumes to be emailed - there's a real trick to that you know, and more and more companies are 'scanning' resumes looking for key words, so they have to be set up carefully.
And I have the Knowledge Institute, who built my website, and Margo Tabb, my graphic designer, and all sorts of support networks. And I'm always happy to share those names with my coaches.

BILL: Thank you for the interview. I think we've pretty well covered everything. If there is something I missed, may I call you?

ANN: (Big smile) Of course! Please!