In their own words

Beth M.

While a friend and I were commiserating over bad workplace experiences, my friend mentioned that she had found a coach who could help someone re-frame past experiences in terms of the positive, not the negative. I contacted Kathy and we began to work by phone. At the time, I was frustrated, stagnated, and burned out in the long wake of two frightening and miserable workplace experiences. I was also skeptical that Kathy could be the kind of "work therapist" I'd been wishing for for years. Kathy's gentle demeanor, creative insights, listening skills, emotional intelligence, and good-natured sense of humor won me over. And my dedication to believing in the benefits of the Clifton Strengths program saw us through a six-month period. During that time, years of resentment and anger dissolved into enlightened perspective. By helping me to appreciate and understand my unique strengths and weaknesses, Kathy has enabled me to bring newfound awareness, patience, and self-respect to all of my professional endeavors. She has been one of the most important positive influences in my life in 20 years. Her approach has proved transformative for me.

Shawn E. Smith

As I entered my second year as the Director of Transportation and Fleet Services, I was at capacity in TEAM building skills. I sought out a professional coach to assist, advise and coach me through the next stage in TEAM building. Kathy quickly brought to my attention that to build the TEAM they first need to be developed. Kathy came highly recommended from a colleague, and has become one of… if not the best… recommendations I have ever received. Kathy’s partnership creates a progressive balance between coaching, mentoring, informing and challenging that has helped me, and the team, create the right relationships (allowing us to move key strategic initiatives forward in a much more comprehensive and effective manner), helped us with our own development as a team and how we work and communicate together and has helped me personally grow my leadership capability, credibility and results. The interaction with Kathy was about identifying our strengths, reducing blind-spots -- and becoming a more self-aware leader. What made me a fan of Kathy was her remarkable ability to ask exactly the right questions to elicit deep self-reflection which ultimately led to positive changes within our organization. Our work together has enabled me to be a more effective executive leader, creating a more proactive and flexible organization with one of, if not the best, teams I have worked with. I, and my team could not be more pleased with our relationship with Kathy.

Rachel Connolly Kwok

I received individual professional coaching from Kathy Yates and through her immense knowledge, expertise, and empathy - she helped me unleash years of stifled energy and dreams. Ms. Yates uses great precision in listening to her clients and then ultimately elevating them via understanding the pillars of one's personality. She expertly wields Gallup's CliftonStrengths assessment tool to help unlock individual strengths and potential. After receiving coaching from Kathy, I have a renewed sense of purpose and joy and can't wait to start living again. Thank you Kathy for helping merge the inner landscapes of my being with my professional pursuits - I am forever grateful!

  • I feel so fortunate to have crossed paths with Kathy; she is now a friend and mentor to me. Kathy coached me through some very challenging work dynamics, which ultimately led to me getting a job that is a better fit. She encouraged me to think outside of the box about my career path and asked very thought-provoking questions. Not only is she a great listener, but is also fair, objective and strategic. I’d highly recommend working with Kathy and taking the time to do StrengthsFinder.”

  • I have been working with Kathy for a couple of years now. We started with the strengths package she provides for entrepreneurs and their spouses. I learned to be more aware of some of my strengths and the shadow side of them. Later on Kathy hosted strengths workshop for my team. Last year applied the strengths framework in the on-boarding process of a new team member. Kathy goes above and beyond the strengths framework, because she also brings her expertise in business operations. I attribute a lot of my personal growth as a leader to the work that we have done together. I can attribute the growth of my business to Kathy's custom workshops, because I have been able increase productivity of our team, now that I am more focused on our strengths.

  • After a 20 year career in nonprofits followed by a less than satisfying year in a corporation working remotely, Kathy helped me to very clearly articulate both the value I am able bring to an organization as well as what I need to thrive. I feel very prepared to find that next organization and collaborative team where I can best add value in ways that also support my own satisfaction and development.

  • My experience with Kathy was overwhelmingly positive and helpful. She helped me to narrow down my job search, find my strengths and redefine my passions. Kathy is smart, insightful and it's obvious she cares about and loves the work she does. I highly recommend Kathy if you're looking for inspiration, a new career or just looking to improve yourself. 5 stars across the board!

  • Working with Kathy has been both empowering and informative, allowing me to more effectively dive back into the marketplace. Kathy is a wonderful listener and a kind truth teller. She translates her expertise well. I am much more aware of my strengths, needs and capabilities after working with Kathy. Going forward, I expect to see the fruit of our effort rippling through my personal as well as my professional life. I am looking to the future with a new found understanding of my whole life experience and my unique suite of strengths. I am deeply grateful for the time we spent working together.