We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Lyn Christian. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Lyn below.
Alright, Lyn thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. One deeply underappreciated facet of being a service provider is the kind of crazy stuff that happens from time to time. It could be anything from a disgruntled client attacking an employee or waking up to find out a celebrity gave you a shoutout on TikTok – the sudden, unexpected hits (both positive and negative) make the profession both exhilarating and exhausting. Can you share one of your craziest stories?
The craziest thing I ever experienced while coaching individuals was a client who started yelling at me and making comments about my profession as an executive coach. With the support of and HR staff member and a good therapist, I was able to refer this client over to professionals who could assit him with his anger.
While the comments thrown in my direction were cutting and disrespectful, I could see that this individual was dumping on me. And his real concerns were not about me specifically.
As it turns out, he was dealing with unresolved trauma and anger that were directed at his recently divorced ex-wife. For some reason, I seemed to remind him of her.
It was a weird experience to hear words coming my way that I clearly didn’t deserve and in a professional setting. I’m forever grateful for the experience and intuition that helped me see that this person needed support. And to not take his comments personally.
Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.
I created my company as a side-hustle while working my way up the corporate ladder. After being coached, I wanted to have the personal growth my coach represented. So I started coach training as a finishing school of sorts – to help me grow into a better human.
Turned out I was pretty good at it and I loved the work. It was an unintended outcome to actually become a coach. Today I specilize in supporting people who are:
A leader seeking next level results but not sure where to start.
• An entrepreneur wanting faster acceleration with your progress.
• In the early part of your career and looking to recalibrate your career arc.
• Reinventing your career in your 40s, 50s or 60s.
• Building a business but can’t find enough time or energy anymore.
• Overwhelmed with personal challenges, situations, issues.
I support people to navigate rough terrain when they encounter it. I support them to reach the goals that are in the waiting room of aspirations. I support people to learn how to find purpose in life or to navigate career change at 40.
What I’m most proud of are the letters and thank you notes I receive from past clients who report our work together changed their lives. These trickle in weekly and help me know I’ve made a positive difference in the lives of thousands.
Any stories or insights that might help us understand how you’ve built such a strong reputation?
The number one element of building a reputation, in my opinion, is to deliver what you say you can deliver at high level of quality.
Consistently delivering a value proposition that the market can rely on as useful and effective is the key to having a good reputation and a good source of referrals.
The second element is to be a product of your product. I’m always growing and changing. I’m ever evolving and asking myself to stretch. Practicing what I am out there speaking and coaching to adds credibility to a reputation and integrity to the quality of one’s own life.
What’s worked well for you in terms of a source for new clients?
The best source for new clients in my practice is actually two sources.
The first is to ask for referrals and repeat customers from our best clients. The acquired client is always a better source of income than a new client.
The second source for new clients is referrals from people in our network that we “touch” on a regular basis. For example, therapists, other coaches, and executives inside organizations who know about us, often send us clients. It is imperative that we have a network of individuals who know what we do, have seen the value of our work, and are in a position to send us new clients.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.soulsalt.com
- Instagram: soulsaltinc
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/soulsaltinc
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/soulsalt-inc/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/soulsaltcoaching
Image Credits
PC to Cat Palmer and MACU