Sometimes we find ourselves stuck in a rut with no light at the end of the tunnel. We've got a goal we'd like to achieve—say, opening our own salon, losing weight or developing more self-esteem—but we just don't seem to know how to accomplish it. Maybe we lack motivation. Maybe we're so stressed out that we don't even know where to begin. That's where a personal coach comes in handy. Think Bear Bryant, longtime head football coach at the University of Alabama who led the Crimson Tide to victory season after season. A personal coach is like having your own Bear Bryant cheering you on from the sidelines.
 |
A couple of months ago, I had lunch with Vivienne Mackinder, who told me about Lyn Christian. "You will love her," said Mackinder, who arranged for the two of us to meet. Christian, whose company, Soul Salt, is based in Salt Lake City was in Manhattan recently visiting clients, so we met for tea at The Plaza Hotel. Mackinder was right. Christian is so vibrant and full of life that it's impossible not to be motivated by her energy. Before starting her own business, she was an award-winning teacher and had also worked for FranklinCovey, which for 20 years has been developing leaders whose impact is measured by much more than the results they've achieved. Co-founder Stephen Covey wrote the best-seller Seven Habits of Highly Successful People.
Christian believes that there are two main elements in coaching: accountability and training. "The element of accountability is critical to the success of coaching," she says. "Having an action item and knowing you're going to report back to another adult who has your best interests in mind makes you complete your assignment or take more thought."
 Lyn Christian, founder of Soul Salt in Salt Lake City, offers life strategies and business coaching. |
Christian coaches leaders in skills such as time management, productivity, influencing the bottom line and profitability, retention and communication. She also helps managers learn how to be coachlike in their role. "People are often elevated to leadership and management positions because they can perform their work more effectively than those around them," she says. "About 75 percent of them rise to that standing without formal management leadership training. They're entrepreneurs, great visionaries or leaders in their own right, and yet they may not have been taught how to leverage the team around them." Christian believes that coaching is the highest form of adult learning, and she's becoming more actively involved in the beauty industry. She's not only worked with students at Paul Mitchell Schools but has also started coaching salon owners and managers. She'll even offer e-coaching for the Internet savvy. To reach her, visit soulsalt.com or call 801/556-9838. —Marianne Dougherty, editor in chief, [email protected]