The COACHpreneur Journey

The Coaching Leader: Using Coaching Skills Without Being a Full-Time Coach | Pascale Feldmann | The COACHpreneur Journey #10

What if coaching skills could make you a better leader — even if you never become a full-time coach? In this episode, I sit down with Pascale Feldmann — biologist, project leader, and internal coach at a multinational in Ghent, Belgium — who came to coaching by chance and never looked back. What you'll take away: → How the shift from telling to listening transforms leadership impact → Why slowing down counterintuitively makes you more productive → The real difference between a coaching leader and a professional coach → Why internal coaching reaches people that external programmes never can → How to give every voice in a team a genuine chance to be heard "I do more if I slow down." — Pascale Feldmann Connect with Pascale Feldmann: LinkedIn: see show notes Connect with Joerg Sauer: @joergsauer_coach

The Art of Facilitation: Making Difficult Conversations Possible | Nami Ishihara | The COACHpreneur Journey #9

Most teams don't fail because of strategy. They fail because nobody creates the conditions for an honest conversation. In this episode, I sit down with Nami Ishihara — IAF Certified Professional Facilitator and founder of HappyTeams in Jakarta — to explore what skilled facilitation actually looks like inside real organizations. We go into the uncomfortable stuff: why leadership teams build kingdoms instead of collaborating, why emotions belong in the boardroom, and why the best facilitator in the room is often the one who knows the least about your industry. What you'll take away: → Why leaders who try to have all the answers are the biggest obstacle to team performance → The invisible foundations of accountability that org charts and Gantt charts miss entirely → How to navigate emotions at work without calling it therapy → The Drexler/Sibbet Team Performance Model — a practical diagnostic for stuck teams → Why facilitators, coaches, and consultants are not interchangeable → The one question to ask before your next leadership retreat "People already know what needs to be done. They just need a safe space to say it." — Nami Ishihara Connect with Nami Ishihara: happyteams1.com | @happyteams1 | linkedin.com/in/nami73ishihara Connect with Joerg Sauer: @joergsauer_coach

From Divorce Lawyer to Relationship Coach | Martha Markaki, Divorce & Relationship Coach, Family Mediator | The COACHpreneur Journey

Martha Markaki was a successful divorce lawyer who realized something was wrong: her clients got legal agreements, even court decisions, but they weren't happy. After years of listening to clients for hours about non-legal struggles—the real pain behind divorce—she discovered she wasn't doing legal work at all. She was doing something else. In this episode, Martha shares her transformation from frustrated lawyer to fulfilled divorce coach and family mediator. We explore why divorce is like "climbing Mount Everest in sandals," the real question facing people after separation (choosing who you WANT to be), and how coaching helps couples navigate conflict before crisis. Whether you're a coach, a couple in transition, or someone navigating difficult conversations, this conversation offers powerful insights into transformation during life's hardest moments. TIMESTAMPS: 0:00 Introduction 3:04 From divorce lawyer to divorce coach 4:53 "I invented something... that ended in 30 seconds" 9:12 Mount Everest in sandals: Why divorce is traumatic 11:52 Choose who you WANT to be 12:19 Joerg's journey coaching divorced women in Indonesia 16:51 The hidden needs behind every conflict 20:36 Working with couples vs. individuals 27:55 Conflict in relationships vs. workplace—same dynamics 30:09 The 30-second touch story: What happens when emotions take over 37:56 From frustrated lawyer to fulfilled coach 39:47 "I have wings and I'm flying" 41:09 How to work with Martha 43:26 Closing reflections KEY TOPICS: - Divorce coaching and family mediation - Career transitions in the coaching profession - Working with couples vs. individuals - Conflict resolution in relationships and workplace - Choosing transformation over trauma - Building a coaching practice in a specialized niche ABOUT MARTHA MARKAKI: Based in Athens, Greece, Martha is a certified family mediator, relationship coach, and divorce specialist. She's completing her second year of mental health counseling training and works with couples internationally. Connect with Martha: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/martha-markaki-b03b01175/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/martha_markaki/ ABOUT JOERG SAUER (HOST): Joerg Sauer is a transformational coach specializing in executive leadership and organizational transformation. Based in Jakarta, Indonesia for over 20 years, Joerg brings a unique perspective shaped by his transition from C-suite executive roles to professional coaching. He holds an MSc in Professional Coaching & Entrepreneurship (with Merit) and is an ICF Associate Certified Coach (ACC). As Country Leader of Morphosis Coaching Indonesia, Joerg works with senior leaders and organizations navigating complex change. Inspired by his own life experience, he also coaches singles over 30 and divorced women finding their path forward after major life transitions. Connect with Joerg: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joergsauer-coach/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/joergsauer_coach/ Website: https://joergsauer.coach ABOUT THE PODCAST: The COACHpreneur Journey features conversations with coaches, coach entrepreneurs, clients, and service providers in the coaching ecosystem. Hosted by Joerg Sauer from Jakarta, Indonesia. New episodes every two weeks on Wednesday.

Are Coaches Supposed to Be Experts? | Anne Lawson, Master of Coaching Psychology | The COACHpreneur Journey

Are coaches supposed to be experts? Anne Lawson, a Sydney-based coaching psychologist with a Master's in Coaching Psychology, challenges this common misconception. In this conversation, Anne explains why clients are the real experts of their own lives, and what professional coaches actually bring to the table. We explore: - Why humanity is at the heart of transformational coaching - The journey from corporate communications to coaching psychology - How to shift from "selling yourself" to selling a proven process - What transformation really means in coaching (it's not what you think) - The difference between accredited and self-proclaimed coaches - Making mindfulness accessible to corporate clients - Building a sustainable coaching practice Anne shares insights from her work as both an internal coach within a government organization and her external coaching practice, specializing in midlife transitions and women navigating significant life shifts. Perfect for practicing coaches, aspiring coaches, and organizational leaders exploring professional coaching. ⏱️ TIMESTAMPS: 00:00 - Introduction 01:00 - Anne's Background & Introduction 02:30 - What is Humanity in Coaching? 06:07 - Journey from Corporate to Coaching 07:22 - Why Coaching Energizes Instead of Drains 09:34 - Client-Centered Coaching: It's Not About You 11:16 - Coaching What You Haven't Mastered 14:27 - Why Coaches Are NOT Subject Matter Experts 16:20 - Coaching as Mirror: Learning from Your Clients 20:25 - Coaches vs. Consultants: What's the Difference? 22:15 - Values in Action Strengths Framework 24:30 - Mindfulness in Transformational Coaching 31:44 - Making Mindfulness Accessible to Corporate Clients 34:50 - The Coaching Ecosystem & Building Your Practice 37:38 - Why Coaches Undervalue Their Services 40:27 - Not Selling Yourself - Selling a Process You Believe In 42:36 - What Transformation Really Means in Coaching 44:20 - Master's in Coaching Psychology: Credibility & Confidence 45:20 - There's Coaches... and Then There's COACHES 46:29 - Closing & How to Connect with Anne 🔗 Connect with Anne: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anne-lawson-60b88a34/ 🔗 Resources Mentioned: ICF Core Competencies: https://coachingfederation.org/credentialing/coaching-competencies/icf-core-competencies/ Morphosis Coaching: https://morphosiscoaching.com 🎙️ Host: Joerg Sauer LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joergsauer-coach/ Instagram: @joergsauer_coach Website: https://joergsauer.coach/podcast #Coaching #CoachingPsychology #ProfessionalCoaching #ICF #TransformationalCoaching

Transitions and Transformations: Finding Balance and Self-Truth with Ifigeneia Paraskevopoulou

🔊 Host: Joerg Sauer, ACC – Transformational Coach & Morphosis Country Leader, Indonesia 🎤 Guest: Ifigeneia (Ifi) Paraskevopoulou – Mental Health Counselor & Coach, Athens, Greece “Transition is not change. Change happens around us — transition is the inner journey that helps us reach the next chapter of our lives.” “You don’t have to have the whole ladder in front of you. Take the first step, and the next one will appear.” In this heartfelt conversation, Coach Ifigeneia Paraskevopoulou shares her evolution from psychologist and HR leader to a coach supporting women navigating life transitions — from career shifts and motherhood to divorce and rediscovering purpose. Her work blends psychology, therapeutic tools, and coaching into a deeply human approach that honors both emotion and action. 💡 If you’re standing at a crossroads in life or career, this episode will help you embrace change with courage and compassion. Ifigeneia highlights: ✅ Why transitions—not changes—create lasting transformation ✅ How inner work, emotional intelligence, and self-awareness shape growth ✅ The role of psychological safety and trust in today’s organizations ✅ Why you never truly feel “ready”—and why that’s perfectly okay 💡 What you’ll learn: * How to navigate life’s transitions without losing your balance * Why being “true to yourself” is the foundation of personal and professional success * The difference between therapy and coaching — and how they complement each other * How systemic coaching creates ripple effects that transform relationships and workplaces * What “funpreneurship” means and how joy fuels sustainable coaching “It’s not about changing who you are — it’s about meeting a new version of yourself.” – Ifigeneia Paraskevopoulou 🎧 Listen now and get inspired to embrace your next transition with confidence and heart. 📲 Ready to take your next step? Comment BALANCE (00:00) The COACHpreneur Journey - Coach Ifigeneia Paraskevopoulou(01:02)  Who are you as a human? Who are you beyond titles and bios?(02:28)  So what called you into coaching? Was there a pivotal moment or experience that led you to this path?(04:19) Were there any early signs or patterns that hinted coaching might be part of your journey?(05:04)  What is it about coaching that lights you up?(06:01)  What values guide your work as a coach?(08:43) If you had to name your ‘why’ — the deeper reason you do this work — what would it be?(09:41) What keeps you going when things get tough in your coaching journey?(10:25) Tell us about the people you feel most called to work with. Who are they? What are they navigating when they come to you?(12:22) What are transitions in organizations?(14:27) How do your clients usually describe the transformation they experience from working with you?(16:22) Why do you think your voice or approach resonates with the clients you serve?(17:21) Distinction between therapy and coacing.(18:46) What does your coaching offer look like today?(19:30) Are there any tools or methodologies you would like to highlight? (21:30) Is there an offering or piece of your work that feels especially close to your heart?(22:50) What kind of ripple effect do you hope your coaching creates — in your clients’ lives, or beyond?(23:32) If everything aligned perfectly, what would your coaching practice look like in a few years?(25:03) What’s a dream or creative edge you’re leaning into right now?(26:09) For aspiring coaches - If someone feels drawn to coaching but is doubting whether they’re ‘ready’ or ‘enough,’ what would you want them to know? (27:29) For someone who’s never worked with a coach — what do you wish they knew about what’s possible through coaching? (28:22) Where can people connect with you, follow your work, or learn more about what you do?(29:01) Rapid Fire Questions