This International Women’s Day, many companies will celebrate women in leadership, but what happens after the hashtags and events?
Real change comes from consistent investment in growth, and that’s where coaching makes the difference.
At Kokua Hub, we know authentic leaders drive stronger teams. That’s why coaches like Maureen Miller, with over 5,000 hours of coaching experience, help professionals cut through self-doubt, communicate with confidence and make decisions that align with their true identity.
This Women’s Day, let’s go beyond celebration and let’s invest in leadership that lasts.
What inspired you to become a coach?
"I was working as a volunteer for a personal development company, and they trained me to support a group of people going through their programs. I LOVED it and it was so much fun. Then someone came to one of my sessions and said, “You know you can do this for a living!”. My next thought was, sign me up! I can’t imagine someone paying me to do something I Iove doing. I’ve never looked back from that decision."
What is your unique coaching style?
"My style is informed by several pieces of theories and frameworks. The biggest influence was neuroplasticity and how it influences behavior. I believe that we can create our own reality if we first acknowledge and then act on what matters most."
What skills do you bring to the coaching world?
"I’m a Master Certified Coach. It means I needed to have at least 2500 hours of 1:1 coaching. I actually have over 5000 hours. I’ve done group coaching, single coaching, workshops. I’m a good listener and ask amazing questions. I’ve also co-authored a book on Personal Brand. [Me, My Brand and Why] I’m very passionate about helping others uncover what their true identity is and how to use that knowledge to be motivated and plan their lives."
Which topics come up most frequently in your coaching?
"Because most of my profiles indicate my expertise around personal brand, uncovering your true identity, I tend to attract those types of clients. Some of the topics that are covered in conjunction with one’s true identity are wide and varied. These can include delegating, career decisions, work/life integration, motivation, uncovering what one is passionate about and how do you use all this in your personal life and ultimately retirement. When you think of it, knowing what motivates you and who you are can be used to deal with most topics."
Which coaching question, model or tool brings the most insight? "I invite clients to share the things they love to do in their personal life and what they love about their work. Then I follow up with, “What is it about this thing you love, that motivates you to find the time/energy to do this?” The biggest insight as a result of this is understanding that what motivates them is what makes up WHO they are. Then once you know that it makes it so much easier to make decisions you feel confident about. Resilience is an immediate by-product of knowing your true identity."
What is your favorite motivational quote or mantra? "I’m very conscious of how powerful words are when we speak of about ourselves. In particular, I will always question clients about what made them choose the words ‘try’, ‘should’ or ‘have to’. If they use the word ‘try’ a lot I will often add in, “Well you know what Yoda [from Star Wars] said about try. Do or do not. There is no try.” Our language can either empower us or disempower us and we have control over that."
What advice would you give someone starting their coaching journey? "Explore what you love about coaching. Let that be your guide to making the decision. Let it be based on WHO you are. Explore what exactly it is about coaching that draws you in. Do you like having an impact on the people you work with? Are you motivated by the connections you make every day? Coaching is a vehicle to satisfy the things that motivate you. What sorts of things would you ‘get’ out of using coaching as a vehicle?"
Can you tell us about your favorite moment throughout your coaching career? "My favorite moments are always the closing of my sessions. I want to know what my clients learn about themselves as a result of being coached. I’m honored by the many things my clients share with me; deciding where they want to go with their careers or personal life. They end up knowing how their true identity is such a powerful tool to make decisions in these parts of our lives."
What is the biggest lesson you’ve learned from coaching others?
"You don’t change who you are. You can – but why would you? It’s been around for a long time and you spent your whole life creating your true identity. As children we are fearless and always know what we love to do. We go to school, and we are convinced that our uniqueness doesn’t serve us. We need to ‘fit in’. Then when we finish school, we no longer trust ourselves to know what matters and motivates us most. Decisions made based on time, money and energy are often out of your control but who we are is completely within our power."
What’s your favorite book, podcast, or movie related to personal development? "My favorite book is “Start with Your WHY” by Simon Sinek. It was the impetus that led me to explore true identity and how it can change your life."
Great coaching doesn’t just develop leaders, it strengthens teams and drives lasting business success. Get in touch today to see how coaching can elevate your organization.
