That Essential Spark is a partner for creating new and desired outcomes. We work with people who are ready to leverage their strengths to create the unique path to their goals and dreams, in and out of the workplace.
We specialize in incorporating the brain based sciences into work on individual performance and leadership development, emotional intelligence, operational design, team dynamics, navigating transitions, growing resilience and confidence, and defining and cultivating a happy and fulfilling life.
As President and Founder I bring over 20 years of experience with expertise in leadership, operations, developing teams, bottom line accountability, program creation, process development, public speaking and working with and through others to creatively find a path to the identified target. I have been Coaching for 12 years and across many industries and on diverse topics related to personal and professional change, getting unstuck, taking that next step, and gaining clarity around options and choice.
I am certified in the neuroscience of leadership and have personally experienced the transformative power of understanding of the brain and the role in plays in all that we wish to do and be. I am a walk beside partner for goals around self-actualization and bring evidence based strategies, content expertise, a strengths based approach, and real world application to each and every conversation and project.
Those I work with experience results because I quickly simplify complexities into key areas of focus, and create an active, honest relationship in which to explore strengths, gaps, obstacles, opportunities. Together we identify focused actions and surface new skills and insights that boost self-mastery, efficacy, performance outcomes, and overall wellbeing.
I partner with people on a 1:1 basis, in groups and with and within organizations in highly customized ways on topics related to personal and professional life. I collaborate with a small group of very skilled and like-minded coaches for projects that support a team of coaches.
I bring a comprehensive understanding of how the brain works, in depth training on people and change, and over 20+ years of leadership experience to your agenda.
I work in ways that leverage how the brain works, increase cognitive capacity, and shift the dynamics toward gathering what is needed to specify the exact and measurable goal, address the obstacles, evaluate the value, shift the mindset and takes steps toward the desired outcome.
People work with me:
- enjoy the insights and tactical applications and evidence from the brain sciences,
- are ready to do the work to think in new ways about self, others, collaboration, and leadership,
- want to take new action toward different results in who and how they are in the world,
- would benefit from a collaborative pathfinder toward the future vision for self, teams, and work products.
Those who work with me are promised:
- Undivided attention, presence, and listening; both to what you say and what's between the lines.
- Unconditional regard for your agenda, your risks and rewards, your unique outlook, and your vulnerabilities.
- Creative, outcome oriented, humor filled, communications that inspire new action.
- Proven methodologies and brain friendly approaches to goal setting and closing the gaps between today and the desired tomorrow.
- Tools and models to use in and out of work such that your experience builds your future toolkit.
Coaching is a methodology that:
- uses conversation, questions, and discovery tools as a way to surface insights and information needed for what you want to achieve
- believes that most compelling answers and actions are generated from within and through a whole person approach that includes the exploration of priorities, values, life stage, goals, uncertainties, and challenges
- allows for meaningful consideration, planning, idea generation, sound-boarding, learning, and path setting in a partnership designed singularly to uphold your agenda
- can be likened to product development - where the product is you
Experience:
- Over 20 years of leadership and executive leadership experience.
- Over 10 years of brain based coaching, consulting, educating, and partnering toward what's next.
Credentials:
- Neuroscience of Leadership, Middlesex University
- Certified Hudson Institute of Coaching Executive, Leadership, Career and Transition Coach
- Professional Certified Coach (PCC) - International Coaching Federation
- B.A., Psychology, University of New Hampshire
Advanced Training and Certification:
- Emotional Intelligence (EI)
- Meyer Briggs Type Inventory (MBTI)
- Renewing Teams in Changing Times
- MBS Leadership Assessment - neuroscientist designed and validated for brain based look at leadership competencies
Previous Roles:
- Chief Operating Officer for a physician owned multi-specialty group (additionally held Director of Marketing and Physician Recruitment)
- Director, Brain Health Center of a hospital based community brain health center
- Executive Director of two non-profit agencies
- Director of Innovation for a multi-service line behavioral health organization.
Current Roles:
- Peer reviewer and past national conference presenter (and MetLife MindAlert Award Winner) with American Society on Aging
Debra Raybold, Professional Certified Coach