March Coach Spotlight : Kenny Rhodes

I started coaching, the most fulfilling career of my life, in the same situation as many of my

clients: in crisis.

I had been a Chief Marketing Officer and writer/producer in the entertainment industry for over 20 years. I had been a working actor through my 30’s and when I became a marketing exec for the networks, I was uniquely qualified to interview celebrities for behind-the-scenes promos. This became my niche, and I was the go-to interviewer/producer for networks and studios, especially with “difficult clients.”

I greatly enjoyed the interactions with creatives, won an Emmy for interviewing screenwriters, and wrote a book based on my experiences which I called “Good Question!” as that was my favorite response, it always meant that my partner was digging deeper than the usual, rote answers they’d often given to journalists. It was a great challenge, and highly satisfying.

Then, the industry collapsed.

Some people blame TikTok and YouTube, others the pandemic, but whatever the reason, the

work dried up and I needed a way to make a living.

I wish I could say I hired a coach, but I didn’t. I didn’t know they existed. I read an article about therapists becoming coaches, and my wife, who is a therapist, thought this was an interesting idea, but for me! It took me awhile to get it, but I soon realized that asking open-ended questions, making deep connections with people through verbal and non-verbal signals, supporting my partners emotionally, and getting to deeper answers were all fundamental,transferable skills. So I rolled the dice.

Fast forward through my training to achieve my ACC, I’m now a member of Kōkua Hub, where I support professionals through coaching.

The shock of it all is how much I love the work! I haven’t wanted to leap out of bed and get

started like this since my acting days. I meet people of all ages, from all over the world, in

different stages of their careers, and all dealing with unique but very relatable challenges.

I’m told I’m a good listener, but the truth is, I’m just fascinated! I had no idea I could start a new chapter at my age (I’m 66), and discover fulfillment and purpose when most of my peers are retiring. One of the inspirations for this transformation was the book, “From Strength to

Strength” by Arthur C. Brooks which I strongly recommend.

As for my approach, the ICF guidelines are where I start, but I bring my unique perspective as well. For example if my client is new to coaching, I begin with a very brief introduction:

1. Coaching is closest therapy, but quite distinct:

a. As in therapy, this is a safe space and everything we talk about is confidential.

b. The difference is: Therapy starts by looking backwards and asking ‘what has

happened over your lifetime to make you who you are today?’ Coaching starts

with today and asks, ‘however you got here, what do you want? and what’s

stopping you from getting it?’ That’s what we’ll work on.

…and we’re off to the races.

I believe that career coaching has to include attention to work/life balance, so I don’t shy way

from my clients describing their personal challenges if and when they come up. I direct the

conversation toward how these factors affect their career goals when appropriate, and believe healthy habits are key. I check in early about their physical and mental health, confirming they have the kind of personal and professional support they need (MD, therapist, family, etc.) to accelerate their success. I often tell my clients, “there are no magic bullets out there what will fix everything - EXCEPT exercise” and make sure they incorporate some regular, physical activity into their lives. That has yielded some of the greatest immediate benefits.

Like most coaches I believe in concrete, actionable steps.

The two words that show up in my testimonials most often to describe me are Empathetic & energetic. I live for the moment my “partner”’s eyes open wider, or they reach for a pen just off camera to jot something down. Even better, if I illicit the lauded response, “good question!.”

If there’s a credo I live by, it’s “fortune favors the bold,” as I encourage my clients to name their dreams, and start moving toward them today.

When others my age are retiring, I’m just getting started! I love feeling newly invigorated at this stage of my life, and can’t wait to see what happens next…