What Clients Say About David Brown’s Coaching…
My suggestion would be to steer as many participants as possible to David Brown. I cannot overemphasize the role he played to help me work through a period of significant change and challenge in my career. In a very effective and efficient manner, David was able to take many of the very best leadership and management approaches available, recognize what was potentially useful to me, and distill and deliver it in a way that was very powerful. He was able to span the divide between theory and practice. I can’t express how valuable his services and counsel were to me.
Tim R., Senior Executive, Federal Agency re: their Executive Coaching Program
I met David through NASA’s Coaching Program. As is well known, NASA is experiencing a tumultuous period with the ending of the Shuttle Program and this was a direct impact to me, both professionally and organizationally. As David and I started to work together, he provided a path for me to move forward and out of the paradigm I had developed. Eventually, we arrived at a location that allowed me to embrace the principles of Tribal Leadership. Had we started at this point, the lessons would have fallen on deaf ears. Not only has David helped me grow, we have gotten into a position where I will be able to help others – a scenario I would have not thought possible in the beginning. I highly recommend David to anybody who is struggling with change and their role in that change.
Paul K., Sr. Mgr. NASA
“David was my executive coach, and he is amazing. While I originally went to him to help me be more effective in my corporate leadership role, he ultimately helped me to listen to myself and leave my employer after almost 13 years. David helped me to understand WHY I do things and what motivates me. His probing (although sometimes irreverent, in a good way) was essential in helping me move into a career that is completely fulfilling. I could not have gone through this transition without him. I chose David because of his experience in working with executives, and the practical tools he leverages in his methods. I would definitely recommend David to anyone who was in my situation, and wants to find a more fulfilling life. “
Melissa R., Senior Executive
“Initially, I had sought coaching to achieve the goal of launching a search for a new opportunity. David responded by questioning my goal, and digging a bit to find out why I was pursuing it. After some discussion, David made me realize that (a) my real goal was growth, and, (b) there was plenty of opportunity for growth in my current position. At that point, we set some new goals related to performing as a more effective senior manager. Over the course of our conversations, I learned to put several new key ideas into action…
I can honestly say that what David taught me has totally changed my perspective on how organizations work, and how I can be effective in leading them through change. Given that’s pretty much what I do for a living, that’s a pretty big deal.
David did a great job of coaching, which (to me) means finding a balance between focusing on the immediate goal at hand and recognizing the bigger lessons that life is trying to teach you along the way. So, with David, you find yourself bouncing from what seem like very esoteric ideas to very practical applications of those ideas in real-life situations.
…Also, I think the probability of success with coaching is directly related to how much you are willing to put into it. In David’s case, he provided a lot of extra articles, books, etc. that rounded out the concepts he was sharing, and the extra time I put into them made a big difference to my success.”
Steve K., Chief Information Officer, Nat’l Company
“David is funny, demanding, caring, honest and focused. Our sessions have led me down a variety of paths, each of which has resulted in something wondrous! He saved my professional sanity, helped me see different perspectives, and my successes are continuing. Give him a call. It will be the best call you’ll ever make.”
Pam D., Banking Executive
I was lucky enough to find David when I realized that I could use a coach for my professional development. David helped me understand who I am, what I like to do and the strengths I bring to my work and personal life. David helped me open my view of what I am capable of and how I can continue being successful in the whole of my life as I take on more responsibilities. I was so impressed with David’s work that I started directing my staff to work with David to further their careers.
More than just a coach, David is a friend and mentor. I recommend David to anyone questioning if they have the skills or talent to move forward, be a better employee/manager or just want to bring out the best they have to offer in both their work and personal life. Steve S. SVP, Technology Services Company
I’m not entirely sure what I thought I’d get from coaching, but I had a hunch that I needed help to develop as a leader. It most certainly did and almost two years later, I think the coaching has been integral to my development. David helped me put structure and language around the concepts involved in upgrading my behaviors and often has helped me refocus on what’s really important.
What was perhaps unexpected was how much fun it was. David has a sharp sense of humor and a lightness in his coaching which is attractive and fun. Peter O., Former Managing Director turned CFO, Global Financial Services firm.
David is an effective executive coach that draws on his broad experience in clinical psychology, as well as a deep understanding of today’s competitive business landscape, to help his clients achieve successful results. David worked with me to zero in on what I really wanted, then guided me to achieve that end result. I recommend David without hesitation.
Garrett P., CFO, Global Software firm
“David’s patient listening and insightful responses helped me finally understand, at a very deep level, how I function best. Having understood that, I was then able, with David’s guidance, to set up my environment in the way that works with my natural tendencies instead of against them. With a more efficient way of operating in place, we were then free to tackle the bigger questions about where my business is going and how we want to get there. I am much more efficient and effective in all of my endeavors – personal and professional – thanks to my work with David.”
KP, CEO, Technology Company
“I have the opportunity to have David as a coach through several career transitions. He has a very unique talent to “read between the lines” and get to the heart of the issue being worked. David doesn’t tell you the answers — he uses a wide range of tools to help you arrive at the answers and to learn the skills to help you excel. I would highly recommend David to anyone that is looking to improve themselves either professionally or on a personal level.”
Maynette S., Sr. Leader
“If you are looking for an innovative and resourceful coach who is very adept at guiding you to see your reality from new perspectives that encourage personal growth to achieve your potential, I highly recommend you work with David Brown.”
Mike D., Music Producer
“Working with Coach Brown is great – he is smart, insightful, and a true expert in both the literature and practice of his profession.”
David S., Finacial Consultant
“I miss you and our amazing conversations! I love and value your perspective and have grown so much over this year. I remember one of our first sessions where we described my work – Corporate Infrastructure Architect.
And, FYI, I am traveling this week to put together a proposal for a new professional designation within the firm called an ‘Infrastructure Architect’. That means “thank you David!!!!”
JS, Senior Executive
“I can attest to David’s talent, knowledge, experience, and dedication to the profession of coaching. He has patiently and firmly helped me to turn my life around… David’s excellence and ability have facilitated a present and future that I am again proud of. If you seek to make a meaningful and positive change in your life, for me there is no better way to approach that process than with David Brown.”
Hugh O., Ph.D. Research scientist
“I had heard about coaching for a number of years, and feeling that I needed some kind of ‘boost,’ I did some research and ended up with David. The goal was to get unstuck, see issues with more clarity, be more productive. David helped me realize all of these…
David has been extraordinarily helpful to me both tactically and strategically. He provides valuable perspectives on how to get things done and helps me obtain clarity for my overall goals.
He’s a valuable resource, and I am amazed how beneficial each session is. Talking with someone afar, someone who is only interested in you, is a helpful business exercise. I can’t quantify the benefits, but I feel the time and money spent with David were worthwhile. My sense is that whatever your profession/occupation is, it would be beneficial to interact with David to gain more clarity and productivity.”
Malcolm K., Real estate Top Producer, business owner, entrepreneur.
“Before I hired a coach I was concerned about the perception or stigma associated with hiring a coach. I also wasn’t sure about coaching done over the phone, as I equated it more with counseling sessions. Fortunately I was quickly enlightened.
I applied coaching to become more organized. I also knew that it would be beneficial if I was more proud of my work. I came to develop a much greater understanding of others than I ever had before. This was very helpful in both my work and personal life. I was able to deal with difficult people more effectively (co-workers and otherwise) and in a way I would have considered impossible before and never would have even attempted.
I now have more control of my life and I understand clearer the things I have no control over. That makes a big difference.
I can see any type of person benefiting from coaching. The biggest regret I have with coaching is I wish I had hired a coach years ago!”
Drew B., Actuarial Consultant
“I was worried that I was not going to find someone who was experienced and knowledgeable. I was looking for someone who would be worth my time and money and with David I got it. David has helped me to organize my life and organize my business.
The type of person I would recommend is someone who needs to be focused and guided to their potential next level. I found David to have enormous integrity and I got exactly what I was hoping for. I would highly recommend using David Brown as a coach.”
Luis B., Owner, real estate and mortgage firm.
“My primary concern in using a coach was that it would short cut through the emotional process needed to achieve something. David was tough in asking me to be truly honest with myself about issues and blocks in a way that allowed a lot of self understanding and revelation in a short period of time. However, what was helpful in this process was that he was also very compassionate and not judgmental in helping me understand myself, my blocks and my goals.
…I have used coaching to become much more time efficient. To really evaluate my priorities…to be kinder to myself in learning from my mistakes and valuing my mistakes…to focus on inspirational positive thoughts in ways that before I was too overwhelmed to do. For me, the coaching got me through a very specific work crisis so that I could rebuild, refocus and not spiral into self doubt about everything I had achieved so far work wise or about who I truly was just because I had experienced this work crisis.
I would recommend coaching with David for anyone who is ready to learn and grow.”
E.L., Business Owner, Author, Entrepreneur
“Thought I would pass you a quick note on route from Mumbai to London. The
Mumbia trip went quite well. Our coaching call on deciding vs. choosing and
how I wanted to be was quite helpful. I was able to “be” the way I wanted
during the day. This understanding helped me spend more of the day in a
relaxed, listener mode, generally being open and flexible. I had the
opportunity to speak and act in a way that’s more determined but these moments
were brief (but effective). I was able to avoid being in the “I’m going to
convince/sell you on why I’m the guy for the job mode” that can come across
as closed and pushy.”
J.A., Senior VP prior to leading a new corporate division.
“I want to thank you for the incredible coaching you are giving me! It is so different from the previous coaching I’ve had which seemed more like “reporting” to a drill sergeant. That style of coaching lacked the substance of what I expect coaching to have. Your style of coaching is so much more than the “numbers,” it’s about my life! You always have such creative & innovative ideas that stimulate my own problem solving abilities and that, to me is more like a mentor or coach should be.
And you seem to really care about my life. So thanks again!”
Sonia, Entrepreneur
“My only real concerns about hiring a coach was whether or not I would be able to afford it, whether I could find someone who could understand and work effectively with my particular temperament and the complications of having ADD, and whether he/she would be familiar with my professional issues without my having to spend a lot of time explaining these issues. I was pretty sure coaching could be helpful for me with the right coach.
I was lucky. I was referred to David, who has been a good fit for me in many ways. I sensed from the beginning that we had very similar basic values, which center on an honest desire to be of service and a genuine caring about the success of the people we serve.
…through David’s support, these are some of the accomplishments which I can attribute to my coaching work.
1. Have clearly defined a vision for my life and learned to clarify the necessary steps to making that vision a reality.
1. Developed more effective habits and life skills which affect every area of my life.
2. Have undergone a complete reorganization of my nonprofit program and redefined my role within that organization.
3. Have defined a new direction for my private practice and clarified steps towards attaining the kind of practice that fits with my special gifts and talents.
These are just a few of the ways in which I have used my coaching sessions to move from feeling totally overwhelmed and exhausted from a daily struggle with myself to a greater experience of direction and satisfaction in all areas of my life. I would recommend coaching to anyone who has a real desire to improve the quality of their life and who is willing to have an open mind to examine and embrace new attitudes and behaviors.”
Sara D., Licensed psychotherapist, co-founder of NFP serving children and families.
“I also realized this week that I am happier than I have ever been in my life. My life is now fundamentally one of peace and joy. Not all of the time, of course, but fundamentally it is true. It is not about my circumstances, it is about everything that we have worked on for the past year and a half. I feel as if I have now lived a complete life. While I am looking forward to the rest of my life, it feels as if it is dessert at this point. I am not someone who flits from one temporary ecstasy to another and then is disappointed in their impermanence. What I have learned with your guidance, and the joy that has accompanied it, is real, permanent, and in congruence with my belief in logical order of the universe.
Thank you, my friend.”
[Financial Services Executive]
What I got from him…was a major connection. I felt like he was a partner and that I could call or email him any time day or night and he would respond. I really felt like I was his only client.
TS, Realtor
I now understand the necessity of proper planning. As someone famous said, “awareness builds its own momentum.” Sure does.
Also, I’ve been developing my Observing Ego – this contemplative pause before a communication or other behavior takes place. So, I am observing myself better in real-time and, as a result, make better decisions.
Overall, I would say that the effects of coaching continue long after coaching has stopped. This is very interesting. David, coaching with you exceeded my expectations by an order of magnitude.
Phillip S. Brooklyn, NY CEO, marketing firm
Thank you for the listening, coaching, nudging, guiding, coaxing, teaching, sharing and everything else that you have done for me over the last 6 months. I’ve learned so much from you, especially about myself. You’ve really taught me to be conscious of the lens of my own personal perspective, in any circumstance, and to step back and re-assess things from other perspectives. I now do that routinely, and it’s always beneficial! The weekly planning processes that you’ve helped me put in place are also a huge help to my overall organization and my confidence that I have everything covered. And then there’s culture! I now always think about how, what my team and I are doing, aligns with, and influences, my company’s culture.
Peter B. Senior Executive, Global Wholesaler
I hired David when I finally realized that going it alone was probably the main cause of my being stuck for years. I had made some progress in the years prior to my work with David, but going from an employee to an entrepreneur proved more challenging than I had ever imagined. During our initial session I knew that David was the coach for me. A no-nonsense, wise but tough kind of guy. But this is what you need when your time, money, energy, and life are at stake…I am renewed physically and emotionally and know how to manage my time and energy to prevent burning out. And – this is very big – I finally reached a stage where my thoughts materialize at a unprecedentedly rapid rate. I mean, I had always believed that thoughts become reality, but the actual process was vague to me. While working with David I got a tremendous sense of clarity on what I want and should therefore be doing as well as a great new level of faith in myself. As it turned out, those had been my missing links to creating my own life the way I want it. This is not some new age nonsense. This is as real as me typing these words on the keyboard. David, I can’t thank you enough.”
P.S. Founder/owner Marketing Company
My name is Dave Hval and I have had David Brown as my personal coach. I had a goal that I was working towards and realized that I was not making progress. I decided to try coaching because looking out a year into the future I did not want to be stuck in the same place. This choice was not something that came naturally to me since I am more of an autonomous, go-it-alone type of person. Worse yet was being told that coaching would not only help achieve “coachable” goals, but that I would also discover “new” things about myself (not my kind of thing).
I chose David from several other coaches that I had introductory coaching sessions with. What struck me most was the preparedness he had at this first session, and consequently the preparation that I also did. I determined then that David was the one to help me with my goals.
Working with David I now have a “Strategy Map” that is going to help me achieve my “coachable” goal. Along the way I have also discovered my “Why” (the way I think, my driver, my gift). My coaching experience with David has been phenomenal and life changing. He is an exceptional coach and I recommend him to anyone who is in need of something “special” to take their life to the next level. I am grateful for the coaching relationship I have with David; he truly has the gift of coaching.
Dave H, Engineer
Our work together has helped me reaffirm that my role is a good fit for me and has empowered me to feel more confident about my strengths and make growth in challenge areas. While still difficult on occasion, I am finding the workload of this job more manageable and am balancing home and work life with more ease.
Kate S, Executive Director, Private School
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