Coaching Knocks at Scott Andersohn's Door:  About Water's Edge Coaching

I don’t know that I found coaching as much as coaching found me. Ever since I can remember, I’ve always had an interest in helping others. When I got to college, I must have changed majors in my mind a dozen times—like many students, I just wasn’t sure what interested me enough to keep going.

I always had an interest in psychology, though, and one year I took a class, “Psychology in Business and Industry,” an introductory course that focused on the role of psychology in the workplace. It was like something in me just clicked—I knew this was what I was meant to do. It seemed so obvious really: happy people are more productive, so why not create workplaces where people are happy to be? It seemed so simple, I couldn’t believe I hadn’t thought of it sooner!

After graduating with a BA in Industrial/Organizational Psychology, I went on to get a Masters of Science in Industrial Relations. I was ready to change the world of work as a Human Resource Director. I thought: “Watch out world!” After 15 years in Human Resources, however, I was growing impatient. I knew my work was making a difference but it wasn’t having the impact that was so engaging for me. I wanted something more.

I shifted my career focus to training and development, and once again, I began to feel that impact I craved. I could see people having “lightbulb moments” during my classes. I facilitated group discussions and helped people solve problems that had been simmering for months or even years.

Then, one day, a friend of mine asked if I could work one-on-one with a manager who had a specific management issue to address. Our work together helped so much that the company requested another one-on-one session for an employee who needed to learn how to communicate more effectively. As requests for one-on-one coaching multiplied, I realized that this was my true passion and strength. While I enjoy training, I love the impact that coaching has.

And that’s the story of how coaching found me. It’s a wonderful journey, finding the right path to your dream. And now I get to help others find their dream every day—I can’t imagine a better, more fulfilling job.

• Masters of Science in Industrial Relations
• Bachelor of Arts in Industrial/Organizational Psychology
• 25 years in Organization Development with experience in HR management, training and facilitating
• SPHR Designation
• Volunteer Career Coach, Naperville Career Center
• Mentor Coach, Chicagoland Chapter of American Society of Training and Development
• International Coach Federation
• Coach U Core Essentials Program Certification
• Member, Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM)
• Member, American Society for Training and Development (ASTD)

For additional information, see Testimonials.

Water's Edge Coaching Blog

Enjoy the new Water's Edge Coaching Blog,a place for reflections on making work engaging.  Check back often for new postings, or subscribe to the RSS feed.

Articles

Facial Piercings by Lauren Martiello, May 2010, at BizMe.  You can also print a PDF of this article here or find it online at http://www.bizme.biz/yp/facial-piercings/.

The Upside of an Economic Downturn by Scott Andersohn, November 2008.  You can also print a PDF of this article here.

In June 2008, Scott was interviewed by Jessica Young for the Downers Grove Reporter newspaper and the State Journal Register for the article, "There's No Crying in the Workplace." You can download a PDF of the article web page here, or view the article online at http://www.sj-r.com/features/x1768853297/There-s-no-crying-in-the-workplace in the State Journal Register.

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