When I was initially thinking about getting a coach, I was at a point in life where I had hit a professional brick wall. I didn't feel like I was achieving my full potential; I was coasting through life, leading to personal resentment. If I think about how that permeated my day-to-day life, I really hated my job and was working with people I didn't respect or like. I wasn't feeling great about my contributions to the world or myself, and that's not a nice feeling when you're someone who feels like you have a lot to give. That's when I said, ‘Enough is enough.'
Being a talent director often means partnering with senior CEOs and CFOs to help them find people who can help them professionally. Michael is someone I have come across and recommended to other people for his no-nonsense approach.
I'm pretty fiery and needed someone who could stand toe-to-toe with me and give me candid advice, which is exactly what Michael gave me. I'd also read his book, and it was excellent, so it felt like the right option. I chose to work with him, but ultimately, Michael chooses to work with you, so it was a partnership and an alignment of values, motivation, and approach.
Reflecting on where I was at the beginning of my journey with him and where I am now, I realise it was transformational. I suffered from many things that many successful people in a professional environment suffer, like imposter syndrome and sometimes a lack of clarity. When I came to Michael, it was clear that I wanted to do things that served me better, and unapologetically, I wanted to push myself and realise my potential. Ultimately, I wanted not to be scared as I felt professionally scared for no reason, but what you say to yourself stops you from being the best you can be.
Michael would challenge my inner thinking on everything. I replaced my own voice, which was often negative and putting up barriers with his voice; he gave me a new perspective. When I think about where I was, I was scared, I was limited, and I had restricted my potential. I have since started my own business, which is doing well, and I feel less afraid. I'm not scared to take on things and fail; I enjoy that process immensely and am definitely in a better place. Am I the finished article? Absolutely not. But I'm in the right direction of travel. I know what I need to do to get to where I need to go, and that is a journey that I will continue to work on, thanks to Michael.
I don't know if you believe in the law of attraction, but there is something about the energy that comes with being coached by him. I saw the results instantly. Some of them were as small as dropping bad habits. I had drunk Coca-Cola all my life, and I made a decision with Michael that it wasn't serving me and that my diet needed to be cleaner, so I stopped drinking Coke immediately. I had a shift in attitude and perspective - within a matter of months since we started, I quit my job and created new professional opportunities. So, the results began to happen very quickly.
Not only did I start my own business whilst having a full-time job, but I also started some that failed. You get a sense of perspective with Michael, knowing that only some things will be right and you won't win everything the first time. It's about learning, and I learned an awful lot. It was easy for me to pivot from one business to another because he had coached me through the emotional pitfalls of being an entrepreneur and what that looked like, which was hugely helpful.
When I look at the results, I know I got an amazing return on investment. I went from good to great; it was the best time and money I'd ever spent. You've got to invest in yourself if you want to be the best version of yourself, and that's what committing to Michael means.
As a coach, Michael is the nicest arsehole you're going to meet. He’s not there to be your best friend or shoulder to cry on; that's not his role. He's clear on the part that he plays for you, but he is absolutely invested in your success and will pull no punches in telling you what needs to be done to get where you need to go. He holds you accountable, and you're going to achieve what you set out to achieve, but he also holds himself accountable to the highest standards. That's why you buy into him; you know it's the path he's walking daily. This is someone living and breathing what they say to you, which is really important.
Michael is an absolute legend. I've got a lot of time for him. He wants the best for his clients, and he works his arse off to make sure that they see results. Even if I didn't think he was a legend, do I still feel I would get a lot out of his coaching? 100%. You don't always have to work with people you like. I feel fortunate that I do like him, but even if I didn't, I would still see immense value in Michael. He is a really good guy; he cares about his clients, doesn't clock watch, gets under the skin of your problems, and ultimately helps you solve them. Will I continue to have a relationship with him in the future? Absolutely, and I'd be sad if I didn't.
If I were to speak to someone thinking of working with Michael, go and do your homework. He would probably encourage it. Ultimately, you've got to know what you're trying to get out of it. Go for a consultation, meet him, and at the end of the day, if it wasn't meant to be, then I genuinely believe it won't be, but there's nothing to lose. And my personal experience has been nothing but amazing. Time is of the essence in life, so get on with it. You will not regret your investment in yourself, and that's what I see working with Michael as - an investment in oneself. Just bite the bullet and go for it - you owe it to yourself.
Anjelic Kumedzina
