Exclusive Interview With Adele Chee - Transition Coach, Mentor & Creator Of The S.P.A.R.K.© Life
Adele is a transition coach and mentor. Committed to seeing a world filled with thriving individuals living their lives authentically, she created the S.P.A.R.K.© self-alignment model and programme, to help clients around the world leverage their strengths and overcome their fears to transition into having a purpose-driven life.
She believes that having clarity and alignment of one’s values, strengths, vision and purpose – “core elements” of oneself – are essential in enabling a person to take ownership and be the agent of their own life. This is because when you are certain of who you are and what you want, and they are in alignment, you will live your life authentically as you achieve ambitions that fulfills you.
We had the privilege to sit down with Adele, who is also a Brainz Executive Contributor, to learn more about her and what she does.
Adele Chee, Transition Coach, Mentor, and Creator of the S.P.A.R.K.© self-alignment model
Who is Adele Chee? Tell us a little about yourself.
I have been deeply reflective and spiritual since I was a child. Enduring severe afflictions from a tender age, I’ve asked myself important life questions pertaining to beliefs, values, purpose and aspirations, probably earlier than one normally would.
One of my biggest takeaways from my upbringing is that when you are fulfilled, you cause less damage and do more good. Thus, making not just your own world beautiful but that of others.
My idea of a fulfilling life is to live a life of choice where I can achieve my dreams without succumbing to the pressures of society. This is the life I now live where I’m realising the 3 life goals my younger self has set for me – travel the globe, help others lead a better life and write.
How poignant! So, what brought you to work as a coach and mentor?
Passionate about people, I’ve always lived a life of enabling others. Throughout my life, family, friends and colleagues have often sought my counsel on various personal and professional issues that they are going through.
The common themes I noticed in most of these conversations was on fulfillment – desiring to go after what they want and realising their dreams but feeling held back by doubts and fears. Some are externally-driven, but most are self-inflicted doubts and fears. In particular, thoughts of not being good enough which leads to fears of failing and being judged. Having conquered my doubts and fears to live my definition of a fulfilled life, I desired to see the same for others.
When I discovered that as a certified coach and mentor, I’ll be in the position to help others live fulfilling lives, I knew that I have found my life-long vocation. To be part of someone’s journey, as they successfully own their story and live their lives authentically, is my privilege and greatest satisfaction.
What is it exactly that you do for your clients?
Foremost, I help the client clarify their definition of a fulfilled life. Not a pipe dream but their genuine desire. This includes tangible and intangible components like experiences, feelings and perceptions.
Then, we take a bird’s-eye view of where they are in their life’s journey to realise this aspiration. I use this visual tool called the ‘Wheel of Life’, a concept created by Paul J. Meyer, the pioneer of the self-improvement industry. My clients love this tool.
Thereafter, the client is further supported to develop self-awareness, gain clarity, build resilience and create possibilities to realise their true aspirations. This will see the client establish a clear personal strategy, one that outlines their authentic goals and action plan; where they leverage their strengths and available resources, in order to overcome the doubts and fears that were previously holding them back.
Then, what is S.P.A.R.K.© and how is it applied in the work that you do?
The S.P.A.R.K.© self-alignment model is designed to strengthen the relationship you have with yourself. This means making all the elements of your core – values, strengths, vision and purpose – clear and aligned. When this happens, you will be able to make authentic decisions and set goals that would truly enrich your life. Therefore, allowing you to be empowered to take actions to realise them.
Self – Identify your values, strengths and vision.
Purpose – Connect with your true motivations.
Action – Take accountability.
Reward – Celebrate successes.
Kindle – Stay present and shine!
The S.P.A.R.K.© programme is a 15-week facilitated practical application of this model. That is, to instil and encourage the continuous practice of having clarity of self and build resilience to support living life in an authentically fulfilling way.
What can your future clients expect when working with you?
The best way to answer this question is to refer to the testimonials from my previous clients (available on my website). I see 3 common themes.
I provide my clients a safe and structured space to explore. This is because in our sessions, I’ll be curious with you. We will journey together to the depths and lengths that you’re willing to go. At the same time, I serve as the second pair of eyes to keep your “red thread” in check so that you stay on track towards your goal.
Clients can certainly expect to be encouraged and challenged by me. To quote some words used by previous clients to describe this – “gentle push”, “can do attitude”, “ignites a fire within me”, “unlock my thinking” and “find new ways”. My role is to support you to create possibilities to achieve your ambition. So, you can definitely bet on getting stretched in the process.
I will be keeping you focused and holding you to account because words without action amount to nothing. Hence, I will be the mirror that reflects the commitments you have made to yourself to ensure that you honor them. All I want is for you to succeed in being your authentic self and achieve goals that fulfill you.
Who should work with you?
Corporate professionals who are feeling unfulfilled and thinking to themselves “there must be more to life than this” but hesitating to do something about it because they are facing doubts and fears. In particular, the feeling of being inadequate or not knowing where to begin and the fear of being judged for it.
Could you probably share a success story?
Yes! In fact, I can share 2 stories.
The first story is about a client who has been in the communications space in the finance industry for nearly two decades. When she came to me, it seemed like she’s had it with the corporate world and wanted to start her own gig. Taking into consideration the various elements in her Wheel of Life to put things into perspective for her, she came to a realisation that it wasn’t the corporate space or communications role that she’s had enough of. It’s the finance industry. Overcoming the feeling of being inadequate, she seized an opportunity to transition into the property industry. Now, she’s putting her stake into the ground and making great strides in her career as she told me that she felt “seen”, “heard” and got her “mojo” back.
The second story is about a client who has spent over a decade having a good run in the HR space within a large global organisation. However, she felt that she had exhausted her options to be able to continue to grow and live her purpose optimally despite loving what she was doing. Standing at this crossroad and not knowing where to start, she decided to embark on the S.P.A.R.K.© programme journey with me. By the end of the programme, she came away with 3 clear goals for her career and life. She’s now well on her way to realise these goals as she looks to transition into a medium-sized corporation that allows her to integrate her passion for mindfulness within the capacity of her HR role; and wanting to have the time to pursue her other passion – writing, she’s choosing a work arrangement that only requires her on a part-time basis.
What is your big goal? Any exciting projects coming up?
Well, I’m on a mission to empower 1 million people to take ownership and be the agent of their own lives. So, I’m currently working on a couple of exciting projects that intend to inspire and support others to live by their definition of a fulfilled life.
Staying true to my dogma of creating possibilities, I hope to widen the reach of the S.P.A.R.K.© programme so that many more can benefit from it. Hence, I’m exploring alternatives to effectively deliver the programme in a self-coaching format. Watch this space!
Do you have a favourite quote to share? Why do you think that resonates with you?
I have a few favourites but I particularly like this one from comedian Brian Regan, who said in one of the episodes of Jerry Seinfeld's Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee – “The things you remember in life are the things that happen right after you’ve had ‘butterflies’. So, you should never avoid the ‘butterflies’ because those are the memory makers.”
This resonated with me because I believe that the reason these moments become memories is because they have connected with your core and fulfilled you. So, I would encourage everyone not only to never avoid the ‘butterflies’ but to actively look for them. When you are in constant supply of what fulfills you, you won’t be wondering if there is more to life than this.
What is the best way our readers can further follow your work online, Adele?
Please connect with me on LinkedIn or sign up for newsletters on my website, and keep the conversation on how to lead an authentically fulfilled life going.
