Renowned Executive Coach Empowering Female Leaders Worldwide – Exclusive Interview With Sinja Hallam
- Mar 1, 2024
- 8 min read
Updated: Mar 2, 2024
Sinja Hallam, MBA, is a renowned executive coach, change and transformation whisperer, facilitator and speaker to executives, senior leaders and emerging leaders worldwide. She currently coaches in Fortune 100 companies, has been named as a top 15 executive coach in Adelaide Australia where she lives and coaches in two languages: English and German. She has also just been nominated as a South Australian Women to Watch in 2024. As a former ballerina and building a career in Organisational Change Management at Portfolio level across industries such as mining, oil & gas, utilities, management consulting, banking and higher education, she understands deeply the complex environments her clients operate in. She is passionate about bringing the heart back into corporate one daring leader who isn't afraid to disrupt, and redefine at a time and specialises in empowering seasoned or emerging female leaders, especially in male-dominant environments.
Sinja Hallam, Founder and Executive Coach
Introduce yourself! Please tell us about you and your life, so we can get to know you better.
Hey! I’m Sinja, a seasoned executive, leadership and business coach with a twist. Picture me as your heart-centred but fearless guide through the corporate maze supporting seasoned pros, up-and-comers and new entrepreneurs around the world including those navigating the currents of Fortune 100 companies.
Besides my first coffee in the morning, my passion is helping females (or people identifying as female), especially in male-dominated environments, step into their courage, take the leaps they haven’t dared to take before and follow their dreams to live and lead with purpose and impact.
With over 15 years of experience as a behavioural change specialist, I've waded through the trenches of some of the toughest, most male-dominated industries – think banking, utilities, mining, oil & gas, insurance, management consulting and higher ed.
In these roles, I spearheaded change and transformation projects on a global scale. At the peak of my corporate career, I juggled a staggering 116 change projects. Having lived and worked in four countries, I know a thing or two about navigating personal change as well. I was born in Germany, grew up in South Africa, moved to Australia, then to New Zealand, and back again to Australia. Each move and decision changed my life in ways I never could have anticipated.
But I’m no superhuman and eventually, I burned out. TWICE! Burnout has a habit of sneaking up on you because it disguises itself as deep exhaustion.
Burnout is not something that is fixed with a good holiday and some rest. Deep down I knew that something had to change for me. I had to recognise that I invested so much into everyone else, that I completely forgot about myself. The demands of a corporate career, travelling for work, studying, being a mum and wife and All.The.Things to everyone meant that I chose to put myself last and paid dearly for it. My mind was full. I thought that working hard would get me exactly where I wanted to go but it didn’t. I kept hitting limitations. In some cases, they were my own. In others they were systemic. I had to learn to be courageous. To set boundaries and defend them. Very difficult when you are a born people pleaser. I had to get past the idea that looking after yourself first is not selfish and that perfection is not a goal. Rest is not something you have to earn is another good lesson and learning to say no is a journey I’m still on today.
Most women throughout their careers and lives will experience burnout too. We hear about it all the time and I wanted to make it my mission to not just talk about it but help women overcome it or prevent it altogether and better themselves in the process.
Today, I dedicate my life to assisting women be they seasoned executives or just emerging as leaders, at pivotal transitory stages, guiding them to discover their true potential, build confidence, and accelerate their careers or businesses to create change, have an impact and leave a legacy they are proud of.
This passion is written in the stars, quite literally. According to my human design chart, I was born to transform old systems and bring about new ones and that’s exactly what I do.
Here’s how I can help you. Currently, my business provides exclusive, individualised, one-on-one and small-group coaching experiences. I work with both emerging and seasoned leaders who come to me seeking support when it comes to career progression, career change or start-up businesses. I also work with teams and facilitate bespoke leadership development.
To cater to the demand, I have created two unique 1:1 coaching programs. Both use my signature framework “Own your Power” Method.
Intentionally You Coaching Program:This program focuses on women reclaiming their power, building their confidence, reconnecting with their deepest desires, busting through their limiting beliefs, and creating their authentic leadership styles. By focusing on different personal aspects, together we will build a step-by-step approach on how to maximise yourself in your professional environments and never undersell your skills again. Everything you do will enhance your work life and those who work around you.
Launch Her Coaching Program:This program focuses on supporting women wanting to launch their purpose-led creative, consulting or coaching business. By focusing on the mindset, strategies and marketing they feel most aligned with we will build the strong foundations they need for their business not only to launch but grow and expand from.
What sets your business apart from competitors?
Drawing from my personal experiences and extensive studies, I've crafted the "Own Your Power Framework'' to serve as the cornerstone of my coaching practice. This framework provides a structured pathway for women to reclaim their confidence, clarify their goals, and step into their power with resilience and purpose to leave an impact and a legacy they are proud of. It helps my clients get to where they want to go, faster, with less stress and more support.
Giving back is a fundamental part of my ethos. I significantly reduce my coaching fees to support a social enterprise that provides a leadership development program for corporates. For every person I coach in that program a disadvantaged teen or young adult also receives the coaching they need. I enjoy helping my community with the skills I possess in a soul-fulfilling way that I'm proud of and that also stays true to my field of work.
I also utilise the sales of my ebooks by allocating some of my proceeds to financially underserved communities by supporting women to start up their own businesses and young girls wanting to fund their education. I’ve always believed that there is enough for everyone and by running a purpose-led business I can contribute to creating a kinder, more equitable, inclusive environment that allows everyone to flourish.
My business is purpose-led and to this end, I measure success in terms of the impact I have and can create through the ripple effect.
Who is your target audience, and how do you tailor your products or services to meet their needs?
My business is designed to empower women to take up the spaces they belong in and have the courage to advocate for themselves and the changes they want to make. We need more leaders in corporations around the world to embrace the concept of humans before profits to create sustainable work environments for everybody. Through my studies, I understand why we don’t change what is no longer working for us and our reluctance to embrace new leadership styles more appropriate for the age we now find ourselves in. Throughout my journey, I've witnessed and experienced first-hand the challenges women face in male-dominated environments. It became clear to me that we need more leaders who embrace empathy and vulnerability as strengths to foster sustainable work environments for everybody. My dedication to empowering women stems from a desire to change the way we lead and interact with one another, paving the way for a more equitable future.
Each woman I encounter is on their unique journey and comes with different backgrounds, ideas and experiences. My “Own your Power” framework is designed to meet them where they are at and create the desired transformation for their individual needs. I’m proud to say that last year I helped 100+ individuals and my framework is the primary aid to their success. There is one caveat though: it takes work, and lots of it, but the actions that will unleash your potential and take you to your next level are undeniably worth it. I know how to support you and light the path for you.
I have to ask, do you work with men?
Yes! Absolutely You’ll be surprised 40% of my clientele are men. They range from Senior Vice Presidents to High Performance Sports Coaches. What do they have in common you ask? They share common goals: less stress and burnout and more sustainable relationships and ways of working.
What are your future plans for the business? Any upcoming products, services, or expansions in the pipeline?
I’m building my own Mastermind this year for women ready to take the leap to whatever they haven’t dared to go after. The Mastermind will be an exclusive, intentionally curated program with small numbers to ensure the high touch that I have become known for, to support women to make their dreams come true without burnout. I’m so excited about this program and can’t wait to launch it in September this year. I’m not ready to release the details yet but keep your eyes out as you won’t want to miss it! Grab my Career Planner including the 8 Keys you need to unlock your next big career move and you will be one of the first to know!
If you could tell your younger self something about life, what would it be and why?
I would tell her: “You are an amazingly creative, intelligent woman put on this earth to support others to make change happen for them. If you follow your heart you will never go wrong. Choose the path that works for you, even if it is non-conventional. Not everyone needs to go to university. Going to university is only one of the many options. You can do anything, take a year to wander the globe if that is what your heart desires. Just because you are wandering for a while doesn’t mean you are lost. You will find yourself in these adventures and learn more than you ever could by following a laid-out plan by others. And with all that being said, above all else, be true to yourself.
Tell us about a pivotal moment in your life that brought you to where you are today.
There are two.
First, I ended my professional ballerina career almost as soon as it started and went to university instead out of obligation. I know I wouldn’t be where I am today if I hadn’t done that.
Second, I moved from South Africa to Australia with nothing but a suitcase full of clothes and a pocket full of dreams. When life got really hard, I chose to stay and dig my heels in rather than give up and go back because it was easier.
It’s joyful to look back and see how far I have come and what I’ve built. I’m proud and grateful for everything that I have in my life right now. This includes my family, my friends and my clients who choose to work with me. I never take that choice and the trust they place in me for granted.
Each client has their name on a sticky note that is stuck on my Gratitude Wall. My day begins and ends with me looking at that wall, seeing their names, setting my intentions for the day and at the end of the day naming the things I’m specifically grateful for.
If you are inspired to unleash your full potential by daring to dream, disrupt and redefine and want to take the leap to transform your future, then book a 30-minute strategy call with me here. Don’t wait for a seat at the table to be offered to you. Build your own and make it a masterpiece!
