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Alison Zecha was so impressed by an in-house coaching session while an employee
at Hawaiian Electric that she decided to work full-time in coaching. "I became
passionate about it as a vehicle to bring out the best in people," she says.
In December of 2002 she resigned from her job as Director of Organizational
Development at Hawaiian Electric Company and started CoachAZ, offering services
in professional, organizational, and personal coaching. "I love what I do," she
says. "It allows me to help people align their work with what makes them happy
and maximize both." Her background as a buyer and merchandiser for Macy's, Liz
Claiborne, Banana Republic, and Esprit, combined with years of work as a trainer
and developer for Hawaiian Electric and her degree in Social Psychology, gave her
experience in leadership roles and working with people to bring out the best in them.
As a professional and personal development coach, Zecha works with CEO's and
top level executives who are already stars in their company to refine and polish
what they do and how they do it in order to get optimal performance. Zecha's
clients are usually employees who have been in an upper management or leadership
role for at least two to four years. They are experienced, highly valued, and
willing to learn and explore ways to be more effective. "These are people who are
technically good at what they do, but not necessarily satisfied," says Zecha.
As part of her coaching process, Zecha, who is a certified facilitator of the
Birkman Method, takes clients through a self-assessment using a variety of tools.
She then uses the results to identify those elements that contribute to and detract
from the individual’s work performance and self-satisfaction. “People often don’t
know precisely what causes them stress and what brings them happiness," she says.
"It [the assessment] provides this information and allows us to have a common
language and jumping off point." From here Zecha and her client are able to
determine the goals they want to reach and a coaching plan that will get them
there. The coaching process involves two to three sessions per month for a minimum
of four months. Sessions can be in person or over the phone.
Zecha works with clients in industries ranging from banking and finance to
utilities, auto distribution, health care, and service and hospitality. “The
people side of business is important to every industry. Not coincidently, the
most successful companies are those who allocate serious resources to this area.”
She has clients in Hawaii, New York, and British Columbia, and is expanding on
the Pacific Coast now that she has moved to Spokane.
"Coaching is not an event, it is a process," says Zecha, who has a coach herself.
"I want people to be excited and make the most of their gifts and strengths."
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