Life is hard. We have so many obligations and pressure that we often feel overwhelmed and anxious. Yet, despite the challenges and hardships life throws at us, we carry on. We suffer, we falter, we retreat into the comfort and confines of the status quo that we’re used to. We get stuck.
This is where coaching comes into play and why we are seeing more individuals working with coaches these days for issues related to their life, career or relationships. Coaching helps increase many aspects of self-awareness so that we can better appreciate our personality, motivations and fear in order to create positive impact on ourselves and on others. Coaching unlocks our ability to reach our goals.
We spoke to Ai Nee, boss lady and certified coach behind Integral Space, who shared with us what she does and why she does it.
1. For the benefit of our readers, tell us what your company, Integral Space, is about?
I realised that people tend to avoid seeking help from psychologists, psychiatrists and even counsellors because of the perceived stigma. On the other hand, they may also be reluctant to approach power coaches as they may have the impression that they are focused on career related matters or may be too costly. I started Integral Space to offer a safe and accessible space for people to work on their issues and not having to worry about being labelled.
2. Tell us about yourself, your background and how you started your journey in this line of business?
I wear many hats, I am a wife, a mother (to both my kids and my four-legged furry kid), a friend, a confidante, and an eternal optimist. How I started doing this line of work is another long story. Come have a cup of coffee with me, and I will tell you all about it. Or you can visit me at Integral Space.
3. What is unique about Integral Space?
I provide a safe space for you to explore inwards, I am ready to walk with you no matter how difficult your situation is.
4. How would you describe coaching and is it the same as mentoring?
Both coaching and mentoring involve two persons forming a relationship, with one helping the other working towards a goal. A mentor shares his experience, knowledge or skills, and is often more directive in approach. A coach, on the other hand, provides guidance to help the person reach the desired outcome in a non–directive way. A mentor–mentee relationship is more informal, and the mentor often dictates the amount of time devoted to the mentee. In a coaching relationship, there is a contract and an agreed time frame for both parties.
5. What are your core values as a Coach?
Respect, integrity, empathy and confidentiality.
6. When does one need a Coach?
When we feel stuck and don’t know how to move on.
7. What are your plans for Integral Space – how do you plan to grow the business?
In this line, a sizeable proportion of clients come from referrals. So, the most important thing for me is to be very good at what I do. To that end, I constantly refine my skills and expand my “toolbox”.
8. What does success look like for you?
The greatest satisfaction I get from doing this is seeing my clients reach their desired outcomes.
9. Has the pandemic affected you or your business and how did you overcome it?
COVID-19 has helped me rethink how I work. Going online has been a great way for me to be able to work with my current clients and engage with potential clients in a way that I never thought was possible. When face–to–face meetings used to be limited by time and location, now these barriers are gone. I never imagined this, but I now enjoy using technology.
10. Who is your greatest support when you are faced with challenges in your line of work?
My family and fellow coaches. My family gives me the emotional support, while I can always count on some of my coach friends for advice and tips when I hit a roadblock with a client or my business.
11. What is the one big lesson you learnt while running your own business?
Planning. If you fail to plan, you plan to fail. It’s a cliché but it is very true. Always do the basic.
12. Can you share a particular moment/memory that stood out for you during the course of running your coaching business?
I had a client whom I coached both in his troubled youth and subsequently in his marriage life. Even though he had stopped his coaching sessions, he would periodically update me about his life and how he was doing well. Unfortunately, he passed away recently from a heart attack at a young age. It was only when his wife called me and told me how much he had respected and trusted me, and how much his life had changed that I realised the profound impact coaching can have on a person’s life.
13. What’s your typical working day like?
While I have the luxury to manage my time, routine and structure are important to me. When I’m not having a coaching session, I spend most of my time planning, reading, learning, reaching out through social media, patting the cat and stealing some “me time” to have a cuppa. Now that it is commonplace to link up with people online, be it clients or friends, I find myself making time to connect with people more, especially those overseas. The downside is that I now spend too much sitting down!
14. Top 3 skills you think are important to have in your line of work and why?
Ability to empathize, ability to listen actively and ability to manage one’s own stress and emotions.
15. How do you recharge after a challenging period?
Being alone. When I had time and could travel previously, a retreat for the mind and the body was my go-to. Now, a walk in the nature, a glass of wine, patting my cat, and a good book.
16. Who inspires you and why?
My clients. They continue to inspire me to do what I do, and to continually improve myself.
17. What is the one piece of advice you would give to someone who is keen to start up their own business/ go into this field?
Be clear about your reason to do what you want to do and then “chiong”!
18. If your life was a movie/book, what would it be called?
Wish I could come out with some sophisticated title, but it would probably just be “Breathe”.
