Compass Coaching
“If the path before you is clear, you’re probably on someone else’s”
—Joseph Campbell
Pursuing an unconventional career journey can sometimes feel like wandering the wilderness alone. While there may be well-worn career paths on your map, perhaps the direction those paths lead, or the pace at which others are moving along it, doesn’t feel right to you.
When exploring “off trail” terrain, it can be helpful to have an experienced guide to help with your initial orientation and gear inventory, offer some constructive and compassionate advice, and take a few steps alongside you.
The Compass is More Important than the Clock
This is one of my guiding philosophies, and I am delighted to offer “compass coaching” to those who seek to pursue their own path with intention, clarity, and adaptability.
I have collaborated with dozens of startups, governments, non-governmental organizations, corporations, academic institutions, and innovation hubs with diverse technologies, stakeholders and funding sources.
I have also raised & stewarded millions of dollars of funding that have positively impacted millions of people around the globe.
My compass coaching methodology was borne from how I have navigated my personal journey, and has been iterated with my university students, as well as startup founders and teams I have advised and mentored over the past 4 years.
The Methodology
1. Reflect
I will guide you through simple mindfulness and self-reflection exercises that will surface your unique guiding values, passions, ideologies, and opportunities. We then discuss, refine, and document them to configure the first iteration of your career compass.
2. Engage
We will select topics and sectors to research, institutions and organizations to follow, and several individuals both within and outside our personal networks to pursue conversations with. We will also identify online courses and communities as well as in-person conferences and workshops to engage. If appropriate for your context, we will discuss freelance and employment options to consider.
3. Observe
Your mind and body’s reactions to various engagements can indicate whether you are heading in the right direction. Perhaps there is spark of inspiration from a podcast you are listening to, or an authentic connection with an individual you are conversing with. Maybe something feels “off” in your gut as you read a research report or sit in the audience of a conference or workshop. In this phase we will practice observing these reactions without judgement, noting them, and referencing your compass accordingly.
4. Iterate (as Needed)
Sometimes after engaging with society and observing, we realize that we need to tweak our guiding values, passions, and/or curiosities in order to adjust our trajectory. In this phase we will revisit your compass, make any necessary configurations, and discuss your next steps.
What You’ll Receive
60 minute Twice Monthly Call to mindfully connect with what you are currently navigating, and for me to ask questions, depending on the stage of your process. I won’t pretend to have answers for you, but I will ask you useful questions.
Asynchronous Comms in between calls in the forms of emails, texts, and voice notes, so I can support you as a compassionate sounding board between our live calls.
Clarity and Confidence about the next steps in your unconventional professional journey
The Investment
Exploratory Call
(Free, 30 min)
Get to know each other and explore whether this coaching container feels right for both of us.
Radical Reflection Session
($427, One-off 1.5 hours)
Semi-structured intensive session, exposing the roots of your identity and which direction(s) you are being drawn.
Compass Coaching
($1279 / month, ~3 months per cycle)
We take a few steps together along your unique path, referencing your career compass and the Reflect-Observe-Engage-Iterate Methodology