What do you really want to do?
It was just another telephone converstion with a client in Australia. But Jass Malaney got a sense
that the experienced finance manager she was talking to had a very strong creative streak. Even though
they spoke numbers, Jass picked up some vital clues. Her client was definitely stuck in the wrong suit. A bit
of prodding and out came the truth – his heart was not in the job he was doing; his passions lay elsewhere.
Seven weeks of ‘coaching’ followed and Jass helped open up her client’s mind and identify what he really
wanted to do. The result? Her client now runs a very successful business in the fashion industry. He couldn’t
be happier!
“That’s what a coach can do for you”, says Jass. She goes on to explain that, “executive coaching is a conversation
by which a coach can expand a person’s perspective, show them their blindspots and help them
overcome mindblocks. Coaching can bring out the best in individuals by giving them a chance to assess
their true potential and optimise their strengths”.
The concept of Executive Coaching originated in the field of athletics and performance coaching in sports. In
the corporate world, the term stuck on as most people identify with sports and aspire to be high performers
like sports figures.
“In Singapore, every working person needs a coach because competition and stress
levels are so high. ”
Jass Malaney has spent over 400 hours coaching individuals in the Asia Pacific region with clients based in Singapore, Australia and
India. She works with individuals on a one-on-one basis as well as with corporate groups. While she believes that working one-on-one
with an individual is more effective in bringing about change, group sessions are targeted towards organisational change. A standard
individual contract comprises about five one-hour sessions. The five sessions are aimed at achieving predetermined objectives and
are followed by support on email and by phone. The ‘coaching’ pattern is mainly conversation based.
Unlike a mentor or a counsellor, a coach does not tell you what to do. Instead, a coach
guides you down the path of self actualisation, opening your mind to the different
facets of your personality. – Jass Malaney
