Q&A with Tania

What do you believe to be the most critical quality a coach can possess?

The most important thing I learned from my own personal life and professional development is self awareness. Having an honest and balanced view of your own personality truly makes a difference in how you will proceed with making decisions and attaining the goals in your life. It all starts with the self, once you understand and accept this, you can achieve what you set your mind to. This is one of the most important qualities a coach must have as he/she builds a trusting relationship with a client for them to appreciate who they are, and truly understand what they want to achieve and how to go about getting there.

What made you step into the coaching profession?

From as early as I can remember I have always enjoyed and found myself in a helping role. The inherent ability to assist, encourage and support those around me is not only prevalent in my personal but professional life as well. I continue to attract, create and foster trustworthy relationships with friends, family, colleagues, students, employees, and employers. There is this sense of personal satisfaction and pride I feel in knowing that I have helped someone get through a personal situation, or achieve a personal and/or professional goal.

What part of your past helped to mold you into the coach you are today?

My 30 year career in various roles and capacities was spent in higher education (McGill University/Concordia JMSB). During this period I simultaneously completed my undergraduate degree in teaching (Vocational/English) and later a graduate degree in Educational Psychology. The learning from my latter degree helped shape who I am today. After overcoming the most tragic event a parent can face in life; the loss of a child and ten years later, the dissolution of my marriage; my family, I relied on my inner strength and confidence to overcome these life events and made the best decisions for me and my children. For this, I am most proud of. It was the most difficult time in my life; and yet I felt empowered to make those critical changes and was compelled to see it through.

Which author or publication has made an impact in your study of this profession?

Throughout my career at McGill I was involved in many human resources initiatives (leadership development, performance management, service excellence), of which I designed, facilitated and led. During one of my personal development training seminars, I had the pleasure of meeting a consultant, and authors of “Triple Impact Coaching” Beverley Patwell and Edith Whitfield Seashore, where at the core this model is the “use-of-self”. The use of self focuses on understanding our beliefs, who we are, our perceptions and actions and how they impact our interactions with others. This workshop and reading inspired me to take a closer examination of myself to fully understand and appreciate how I deal with matters and the impact of my actions on others. Ultimately, it is the choices that we make that will shape who we are and where our path will take us. We all play a part in our own destiny as everyone has the ability to make a choice.

Q&A with Tania

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© 2024 by Tania Chomyk, B.Ed., M.Ed, PPCC