Transforming Lives, One Goal At A Time – Exclusive Interview With Saskia Greiner
- Brainz Magazine
- Jan 2, 2024
- 7 min read
Saskia Greiner is a certified success coach, trained by Jay Shetty. Her main objective is to assist clients in attaining success and fulfillment in various areas including personal growth and career advancement.
In addition to running her coaching business, Saskia also serves clients in the IT industry. She currently works as an IT sales expert for a leading international company based in Switzerland. She firmly believes that one can pursue their passion alongside their full-time role, as long as both jobs bring fulfillment.
Saskia Greiner, Success Coach
Can you tell us about your journey and what led you to become a success coach?
My journey towards becoming a success coach began with my own personal experiences and a deep desire to help others unlock their full potential. Throughout my life, I have faced various challenges and setbacks that required me to develop resilience, determination, and a growth mindset.
Currently, I work as an IT Sales Expert for GULP Schweiz AG in Zurich. Sales is my second passion. A year ago, the lack of opportunity for career progression led me to leave the company with a heavy heart. Although I secured positions as a manager afterward, but it didn't satisfy me.
As I navigated through these obstacles, I realized the power of mindset and personal development in shaping one's outcomes. This realization sparked my passion for coaching others on their own journeys towards success. Additionally, I soon came to the realization that my decision at the time was not only right for my personal growth, but also taught me that it is possible to pursue a passion alongside a full-time job. This realization gave me immense fulfillment. It's important to note that my decision to quit my job was not solely because of my position as Business Unit Manager. I was searching for something that would truly fulfill me, but back then, everything seemed negative and I lacked the positive attitude and mindset that I possess today.
Through self-coaching and Jay-Shetty certification programs, I invested in my own development over the past year. Despite facing setbacks at other companies along the way, I am now thrilled and grateful to be back at GULP Schweiz AG as an IT Sales Expert while also serving as a success coach on the side.
What is your coaching philosophy or approach? How do you help clients achieve their goals?
My approach as a success coach is rooted in empathy, active listening, and creating a safe space for clients to explore their aspirations. I believe that everyone has unique strengths within them waiting to be unleashed. Through my personalized coaching sessions tailored to each individual's needs, I empower clients to overcome limiting beliefs, set meaningful goals which are aligned with their values, and take consistent action towards achieving them.
During my coaching sessions, I frequently observe that numerous clients are well aware of their career objectives but lack the answer to the question: What truly brings them fulfillment? It is not uncommon for individuals to discover that it is not their career path, but rather an entirely different goal that demands a distinct set of actions.
Could you share a success story of one of your clients and how your coaching made a difference in their lives?
Sure, one success story that stands out is the journey of Sarah, a client who came to me seeking guidance in transitioning from a corporate career to starting her own business. Sarah had always dreamed of being an entrepreneur but felt overwhelmed and unsure about how to make the leap.
During our coaching sessions, we worked together to clarify her vision and identify her strengths and passions. We also addressed any limiting beliefs or fears that were holding her back. Through targeted exercises and discussions, Sarah gained clarity on her business idea and developed a solid action plan.
One of the key areas we focused on was building her confidence as an entrepreneur. We worked on mindset shifts, challenging self-doubt, and cultivating a positive outlook. I provided ongoing support, encouragement, and accountability as she took steps towards launching her business.
Over time, I witnessed Sarah's transformation from someone hesitant about taking risks to someone who embraced challenges with enthusiasm. She successfully launched her business, besides her corporate career, within six months of our coaching engagement.
This success story highlights how coaching can provide individuals with the clarity, support, and tools they need to overcome barriers, take decisive action and achieve their entrepreneurial dreams. I am incredibly proud of Sarah's accomplishments and grateful for the opportunity to have played a part in empowering her journey towards success.
How do you stay motivated and inspired as a success coach?
A brilliant question! As a success coach, maintaining motivation and inspiration is crucial to effectively supporting my clients. Therefore, I am dedicated to continuous personal and professional development. I regularly participate in learning opportunities such as attending workshops, conferences, and webinars that are relevant to coaching, psychology, leadership, and personal growth. This keeps me updated with the latest research and techniques while expanding my knowledge base.
Additionally, surrounding myself with like-minded individuals who share similar passions greatly contributes to my motivation. Actively seeking connections with other coaches, attending networking events, and participating in mastermind groups enables me to receive support, engage in insightful discussions, and potential collaboration opportunities that fuel my motivation.
However, the greatest motivator for me is witnessing the transformations of my clients. Observing them overcome challenges, achieve their goals, and bring positive changes into their lives reinforces the impact of coaching and inspires me to continue making a difference.
What are some common challenges or obstacles that individuals face when trying to achieve success, and how do you help them overcome those challenges?
Providing a definitive answer to common challenges at the moment is a challenge in itself, as every client is unique. However, I can offer some examples from my past experience of coaching clients.
One common challenge that many individuals face is self-doubt and limiting beliefs that hinder their progress. As a coach, my role is to help clients recognize these negative thought patterns, challenge them, and replace them with empowering beliefs using techniques like cognitive reframing and positive affirmations.
Another common challenge is the fear of failure, which can prevent individuals from taking necessary risks or fully committing to their goals. Through coaching, I assist clients in shifting their perspective on failure by highlighting its value as a learning opportunity and encouraging growth through setbacks.
Some individuals may also feel overwhelmed or unsure about what they truly want to achieve in life. Through coaching exercises, goal-setting techniques, and deep exploration of values and passions, I assist clients in gaining clarity on their aspirations and creating a roadmap towards achieving them.
Lastly, procrastination often becomes a significant obstacle to success. To combat this issue, I support clients in identifying the underlying reasons for procrastination (such as fear or perfectionism) and developing strategies to overcome it through measures of accountability, time management techniques, and breaking tasks into smaller steps that are more manageable.
How do you tailor your coaching approach to meet the unique needs of each client?
Before I answer this question, it is important to understand what the definition of coaching is. It is a client-centered approach that focuses on empowering individuals to tap into their own inner resources, strengths, and potential. The role of the coach is to provide guidance, support, and accountability while helping clients gain clarity on their goals, overcome obstacles, and develop strategies for success. Coaching typically involves active listening, powerful questioning and reflective conversations
To ensure that my coaching is personalized and aligned with each individual, I conduct an in-depth assessment better known as a discovery call to understand the client`s background, goals, challenges and preferences. This helps me gain insight into their unique circumstances and allows me to customize my approach accordingly. Throughout our sessions, I actively listen to the client's concerns, aspirations, and experiences. By demonstrating empathy and creating a safe space for open dialogue, I develop a deeper understanding of their specific needs, values and motivations. Together with the client, I co-create specific goals that are meaningful and relevant to their desired outcomes. By involving them in this process, we ensure that they feel ownership and commitment towards these objectives. I draw from a wide range of coaching techniques and methodologies based on what will best serve each client. This flexibility allows me to adapt my approach based on their learning style, personality traits and preferences.
Can you share any strategies or techniques that have proven particularly effective in helping clients reach their goals?
Certainly, I will share three effective strategies with you. The first strategy involves encouraging clients to set Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound (SMART) goals. This approach helps to create clarity and focus by ensuring that the goals are well-defined and actionable.
The second strategy is "Action Planning." This involves breaking down larger goals into smaller, more manageable action steps. By doing so, clients can stay organized and motivated. Creating a detailed plan with specific tasks and deadlines allows clients to effectively track their progress.
Lastly, Visualization and Affirmations prove to be extremely helpful strategies. Guiding clients to visualize themselves achieving their goals in vivid detail enhances motivation and belief in their ability to succeed. Additionally, incorporating positive affirmations related to their goals reinforces confidence and self-belief.
In your opinion, what are the key qualities or habits that successful people possess?
In my perspective, accomplished individuals exhibit various essential qualities and habits that greatly influence their success. Two primary qualities that stand out are resilience and a growth mindset. In my opinion, successful individuals demonstrate immense resilience when confronted with obstacles and setbacks. They perceive failures as valuable learning experiences and rebound with unwavering determination. Furthermore, possessing a growth mindset is imperative for attaining success. This entails having faith in one's capacity to learn, develop, and enhance oneself over time. Successful people enthusiastically embrace challenges, actively seek feedback, and consistently strive for personal growth.
Can you tell us a little bit about your Podcast “Success Speaks”?
Sure, my mission is to share inspiring conversations on personal growth, professional development, and the path to success. In each episode, I delve into the journeys of remarkable guests who have overcome challenges and achieved greatness. They also share their unique definitions of success. If you are interested in being a guest on my show, you can apply via this link: Podcast Application
Thank you, it was a pleasure to share some insights about myself and my journey to become a coach.
