Valerie MacLeod's Bio
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I help leaders, like you, to add new skills and tools so that they can reach their goals.
I have been facilitating, coaching and training for over twenty-five years. I have come to a place in my career where I want to guide and develop others.
I am a strategic thinker, and a skilled and insightful facilitator, coach and trainer who is passionate about helping clients reach their goals.
I am called in when leaders feel frustrated by their lack of career advancement or want to become a more impactful leader.
I offer individualized coaching to give leaders exactly what they need RIGHT NOW!
I specialize in:
What makes me unique is the balance between left-brain and right-brain thinking that I bring to my work. I leverage both kinds of thinking: logical and creative to assist my clients boost their career paths and acquire more strategic thinking abilities.
My first degree is in mathematics (which is very left-brain) and my second an MBA with a Human Resources minor (which is a combination of left and right brain).
I work well with leaders who have a science, technology, engineering or mathematics (STEM) background.
I translate right-brain concepts like Systems Thinking and compassionate leadership for left-brain dominant leaders.
Positive and approachable, I tailor my work to the individual needs of each client. As a natural teacher, I have been assisting adults learn for most of my career. I am certified in executive coaching, team coaching, strategic planning, systems thinking, managing change, Myers-Brigg Type Indicator (MBTI), True Colors and career planning. I have facilitated both private and public workshops at the prestigious Banff Centre for Management and Red Deer College; in San Diego, Cincinnati, San Diego, Chicago, Houston and New Orleans in the United States; in South Africa; for energy companies including BP, Encana and Cenovus; for municipal, provincial and federal governments; and for associations, charities and boards.
I am proud to be a Global Partner with the Haines Centre for Strategic Management, an international team of diverse Master Consultants. I am Chair of the Haines Centre for Strategic Management, North American Practice Leader for Strategic Planning, and Global Practice Leader for Coaching. The Centre’s mandate is to assist leaders to develop and sustain customer-focused, high-performance organizations which can successfully grow in learning and compete in the current business environment. We help you unleash your Systems Thinking Superpower!
I was recognized by the Association for Strategic Planning (ASP) as a Strategic Management Professional Pioneer – a group of 24 planning professionals who created the ASP Standards, Certification Process and examination. I also use my leadership skills to make the community a better place through volunteering on various boards.
I have an MBA in human resources from the University of Calgary and a Bachelor of Mathematics from the University of Waterloo. I have published a life planning book “Get Me Off the Treadmill!: Using Everyday Magic to Live an Extraordinary Life”, and co-authored the business planning book “Destination Thinking”. I have recently completed my third book, "There's More to Retirement than Golf" about choosing the kind of life you want to live in the "next chapter".
I have recently taken up photography as a hobby. I use many of my photos on my Life Planning book, blog, social media, facilitation & training. See some of my photos.
“Embarking on a new career at the age of 63, I sought out an Executive Coach. Valerie's acute listening skills, intuitive knowing, and extensive tools positioned me to move forward with confidence. She drew from her rich background of experience and knowledge to guide me to unexpected self-awareness. I highly recommend Valerie MacLeod.”
Pat Clarkson, President, Guided Discovery Learning Group Inc. (retired)