Debbi McCullough, Master Certified Coach

I attribute my success to being honest and open in my interactions with myself (through writing, self-coaching, and journaling) and with others. I place a premium on self-care and have three legs of my stool: Nature. Creativity. Physical exercise. If I neglect one of those legs, I can wobble. I get antsy when I'm not learning and improving. Over 35 years ago, I left everything behind in New Zealand at age 20 to move to Japan and then the U.S. to pursue my immigrant dreams. Staying complacent or stagnant would feel wasteful. I find love, truth, and strength through my family (my husband and teen sons, my New Zealand family, and my close sister and brothers who are my dearest friends.) I make devoted "present" time for those I love every day.

The best career advice I’ve ever received was a compliment more than advice from Professor William Drummond, my then news writing professor at UC Berkeley's Graduate School of Journalism. He told me (after we performed our first live show) that I had a "lovely voice, one that Americans would like to listen to and would believe anything I said." I didn't pursue broadcast journalism. I became a digital print reporter. But now I host two podcasts, and enjoy interviewing guests, I've realized audio and video becomes a great way to share your ideas and elevate your brand.

My advice to young women entering this industry is to not feel too spooked by the super established and super qualified coaches out there. Many have PhD's in psychology. I do not. I entered the coaching industry without having received formal coaching before and with no psychology background at all. My clients tell me my life experiences and my journalism background and my mental outlook, that I'm optimistic and an original, creative thinker is what helps them unlock their freedom and big ideas the most. That I listen to them well helps them find their truth. I do recommend certifying with the International Coaching Federation (ICF) because you gain that deep dive into active listening and the clear distinction between coaching from other help professions. You will feel more confident as a coach. And active listening training can change your life, in beautiful and meaningful ways.

The coaching industry is in an interesting and turbulent time with more disruption than many of us anticipated through AI coaching, which has created challenges for traditional coaching practices. Additionally, when clients have sponsored coaching from their corporation, that source of sponsorship has gone down compared to before, with layoffs and rehires affecting the funding. My clients work in tech, finance, and manufacturing, and I've had to navigate a significant downturn - I was down 90% in my business up until about one month ago. But I've now turned things around and I'm on the upswing, having won 30 new clients in just the last two weeks. It feels vital to me that very session must help my client unlock a new perspective, approach, and the courage to go forth. To be "better than a bot" I must resist pouring in advice and giving clients the space (through reflective inquiry) to figure out their own tactics and build upon those together.

The values most important to me in both my work and personal life are mentoring others, leading by example, doing one brave, uncomfortable thing daily, and learning daily. I make time for those I love and do something blissful every day (with no real agenda), which feels vital. A perfect workday for me has scheduled time just to think and to marvel on all the beauty in front of me. I like to revel what I am proud of, right now, without changing a thing. This brings me confidence. Without taking stock of what's already working perfectly, we forget and never feel satisfied nor complete.