Empowering Leadership: A Unique Approach to Building Strong Teams
As a Certified Leadership Coach (CLC) and Experiential Facilitator, my mission is to empower teams through tailored, hands-on leadership programs. I work closely with team leaders to create customized experiences that align with their specific goals and outcomes.
My approach revolves around identifying a team’s strengths and areas for growth, developing clear strategies, and crafting a vision for collective success. As a leadership coach, I focus on enhancing communication, building leadership skills, and fostering a positive work environment that supports collaboration and growth.
Through years of study and experience as both an Adventure Program Facilitator and a Leadership Coach, I have developed a unique approach to team development. My philosophy is grounded in three core principles, each designed to leave leaders feeling energized and equipped with a clear plan for success. These guiding philosophies are: Challenge by Choice, I-OPt (Inviting Optimal Participation), and Holding People Capable.
Challenge by Choice (Scboel, Prouty, & Radcliffe, 1988)
The Challenge by Choice philosophy forms the foundation of my programs. This approach sequences activities to cultivate an atmosphere of trust and encouragement, empowering participants to take risks. Each individual is given the freedom to engage at their own pace, respecting personal choices while maintaining a focus on effort over performance. This creates an environment where team members feel supported as they challenge themselves and grow together.
I-OPt: Inviting Optimal Participation (Haras, 2003)
The I-OPt approach ensures that every participant can engage meaningfully in the experience. By offering multiple levels of challenge within a single activity, I design programs where everyone has an opportunity to contribute. Facilitators balance participant abilities and the challenges presented to ensure inclusivity, fostering an environment where each team member can shine.
Holding People Capable (Gray, 2007)
At the heart of my coaching philosophy is the belief that people are capable of solving their own problems. As a facilitator, I don’t need to be the subject matter expert on every issue—my role is to empower participants to devise their own solutions. This "coach approach" means I hold individuals accountable for their plans, their actions, and their growth, helping them develop the confidence and skills to lead effectively.
Client Feedback:
Mike Matejka, Director of Engineering & Development Services City of Cranbrook: “Teams looking to tackle tough issues and find new ways to work together need this type of facilitation. We really felt motivated and optimistic after Shonna's session. The atmosphere was great!”
Mike Frank, CAO ʔaq’am:“ʔaq’am’s experience with Shonna as the facilitator for a government to government training session was excellent. She provided a well though out presentation that captured our needs.”
Jonah Gowans, Legislative Assistant to Kootenay East MLA Leadership :“Shonna has been instrumental in guiding me through a number of situations personally and professionally where her coaching assisted me in finding the right answer for myself in those situations, because of that I have been able to solve further situations quicker by using methods I learned from Shonna.”
Lynnette Wray, Cranbrook City Councillor :“I sincerely appreciate Shonna's authentic, participatory, and flexible approach to group facilitation, including a commitment to an in-depth exploration of the key issues.” Click here to learn how I develop training curriculum to build strong, and engaged teams.
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