Spotlight: Diane Watson, PCC

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

My background is varied with a focus on communications and fundraising. One of my most enjoyable jobs was as the communication director for a branch of state government. I loved being the department spokesperson and preparing colleagues for interviews. The work challenged me on numerous levels.

I became a coach because I recognized that service was important to me and that a career in service of others was where I found joy.  Once I had that realization, I found coaching, trained at the Hudson Institution of Coaching, and have never looked back. Also, I want to change corporate culture and the world one person at a time and want to support women as they step into leadership.

2 - How did you choose your specialty area?

I trained to be an executive coach and then started my business in the transitional area. I evolved over time to executive coaching because that focus was interesting and challenging to me. It’s a joy to support executives as they shift their leadership style from command and control to developing the next generation of leaders. There is so much important work to do in that area. I have recently received certification in team coaching and now coach two teams. 

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

When I left my last job to start my coaching business, I had no idea about the challenges that I would face. I understood that being a business owner was more involved than creating a website and creating business cards, and networking. What I didn’t realize, was that marketing and networking would take about 50% of my time and was a complex process. Marketing for myself took me way out of my comfort zone. Thank goodness I was committed to coaching as my profession, otherwise, I may have quit after a few years.

The rewards were in what I learned from my numerous challenges and in the coaching. For three years I trained future coaches in the Performance Coaching program in the Department of Professional Studies, led by Nina Morel, at Lipscomb University. During my time at Lipscomb, the department applied for and received the ICF ACTP certification.  Teaching others to coach was an honor and through my experiences, I developed a deeper appreciation for the ICF Competencies and sharpened my coaching.

4 - How do you enjoy spending your free time?

After a year of pandemic distancing, I now enjoy spending time with friends in outdoor settings. I had no idea how much I missed being with them. 

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

The branch of state government that I worked for was a regulatory agency. Boxing was the only sport the agency regulated. Don King brought a boxing match to Nashville in the mid-nineties.I went to every press conference, the weigh in, and sat ring side with the departmental regulators during the boxing match. All I can say is “been there done that.” It was interesting!

6- What is your favorite quote?

There are so many quotes that I find helpful. During the past year, the following question supported me as I dealt with the anxiety, challenges, and fears of 2020. “Am I being the person that I want to be right now?”

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