A Commitment To Growth — Exclusive Interview With Erin Ekman

Erin Ekman is a Professional Certified Coach (PCC) with the International Coach Federation (ICF) and the principal facilitator and leadership consultant with Centrivity. She has worked in coaching and leadership development since 2009 and holds a Professional Co-Active Coach Certification (CPCC) from the Coaches Training Institute.

Erin Ekman, Professional Certified Coach (PCC)

Tell us a little bit about your educational background.

My postsecondary education is in Kinesiology with a focus on physiology. I really thought that high-performance sport, specifically medicine, was my calling, but after I had the opportunity to shadow professionals in the field, I found I was more intrigued by the strategy of sport and what it takes to create high-performing teams than treating torn ACLs and rotator cuffs.

Tell us a little bit about your professional background.

I really lucked out during my undergrad as I had an opportunity to work with National and Olympic sport programs in Canada and began to learn more about strategic planning and the components that build sustainable high performing systems. It was during his time that I was introduced to “coaching” as a tool to develop others and leverage their strengths to create success – both on a professional and personal level. Completing my Professional Coach Certification was an eye-opening experience and changed how I viewed growth and development in individuals, teams, and organizations.

What is a typical day like for you?

No two days are the same. Some days are with clients one-on-one, while others are working with teams and leadership groups on strategy or enhancing team dynamics to increase their effectiveness. I work from home some days facilitating training on DiSC or High Performing Team models; other days I am traveling across the country to facilitate a Leadership Summit or team building sessions.

What is your favorite aspect of what you do?

I love the variety of work that I get to offer through my business, but what I find most fulfilling in this line of work is seeing the change that can be created in an individual or team because of their commitment to growth – to see people reach their full potential and live a life that is more authentic, fulfilling, and unique to who they are. These moments will never cease to move me. I am grateful to do the work that I do.

How can you help potential clients?

Change begins with awareness. Once clients become aware of what is missing or not working (what is the problem) and conversely what they want the future state to look like (what they are aiming for) – then we can build a roadmap for how they are going to reach that desired future state. Some clients benefit from assessments and/or a structured approach, while others are ready to dive in and begin goal setting and planning. We co-design and agree on the tools/methodology that will support their (or the team's) growth and development.

What are three habits that you would recommend someone develop to achieve success?

1. Create space for reflection. Without clarity, it is almost impossible to design a clear path forward. Give yourself time each day to slow down and reflect.

2. Stop compromising and ask for what you really want. Be honest with what success looks like for you and know what brings you fulfillment versus how others may define it. You cannot maintain motivation for something that doesn’t really matter to you.

3. Start small and work backwards. Once you know what you are aiming for, break it down into achievable milestones. Set yourself up for small wins, and you will maintain momentum along the way.

What’s the best professional advice you have ever received?

Stop using your past to define your future. A strong vision for the future is more powerful than anything that has happened to you in the past. Use it to pull you forward and leave behind the rest.

What is the best advice you can give someone who is just starting out in their career?

• Surround yourself with people who believe in you. You won’t always believe that you can achieve the things you set out to do; sometimes you will falter, sometimes you will doubt and sometimes you will want to give up. If you have people in your corner who can see what is possible for you and will remind you of what you are capable of, you are less likely to give up when the going gets tough.

• Have the patience to play the long game – success that comes overnight is rarely sustainable. Embrace where you are and enjoy the ride.

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