Spotlight: Brenda Baird

SPOTLIGHT: Brenda Baird, PCC

1 - Where are you from, and how did you choose to live in Middle Tennessee?

I grew up in a small town in rural Illinois. My corporate career re-located me to South Florida. After a few years of hot and hotter along with corporate burnout, we decided it was time to find a parcel of woods, slower pace of living, and tepid weather to call our own. We traveled through North Carolina, Tennessee and Kentucky looking for the perfect spot. Today the Cumberland Plateau is home.

2 - What is your professional background, and why did you become a coach?

Raised by parents who operated a home-based business, I learned early about the importance of applying great leadership in order to get work done through others. My professional background is based upon a 25-year foundation as a small business owner and 10 years of leading a corporate learning and development function. My unique experience and perspective enrich my coaching practice. I work with business professionals to explore new ways of thinking in order to achieve their personal best. Serving business leaders, emerging talent, managers, teams, and individuals, I help my clients remove barriers to success and reach their full potential. My approach is centered on the principles of energy leadership and its positive effects on an organization or individual’s ability to achieve more with less effort. When individuals show up as their best self they are more productive and satisfied in their careers. I’ve spent the last 35 years identifying workforce challenges and developing innovative solutions to improve desired outcomes and achieve organizational goals. My education, training, and experience working with individuals, leaders, and teams has developed proven methods to build self-awareness, clarify goals, and define incremental steps to reach sustainable growth and lasting results that positively change individual’s professional and personal lives.

3 - How did you choose your specialty area?

I’m a leadership geek! I’ve worked alongside some of the best and worst leaders. Helping people grow in their leadership style makes the workplace, church, home and school a better place. I believe we are all leaders somewhere in our life and how we show up to lead is our contribution to the world.

4 - What are the greatest challenges and greatest rewards of your career?

In my career, the greatest challenge was being a woman in a male-dominated industry. I had to work harder and more strategically to get a seat at the table and be heard. My greatest career reward was providing opportunities to my employees as they grew personally and professionally.

5 - What is something that most ICFTN members would be surprised to learn about you?

It may surprise members that I have my own chainsaw and I use it! My husband and I love being and working in the woods. So, a girl must have her own chainsaw.

6 - How do you enjoy spending your free time?