Filling the Glass Half Full with the Peak Performance Accelerator

Are you facing any of these challenges?

Sushil Arora

Sushil Arora is the CEO of a popular home décor design company in Vancouver BC. With a background in finance, he’s been in his position as CEO at Danica Brands, for almost nine years. As a father of two teenagers, he’s in a good chapter of life, enjoying success and fulfillment in his career while finding time for family and hobbies like road biking, golf and even pickleball.  

When a friend suggested he might enjoy Leadership Coaching and shared the value they’d had with Chris March Coaching, Sushil was skeptical. But as he got to know Chris his curiosity peaked, and he decided to give Leadership Coaching a try.

“I went into my coaching with Chris with no expectations, none at all,” shares Sushil. “I’m self taught and self motivated in a lot of ways so I was a skeptic that this process would work for me. I took the opportunity and went in with a clean slate. I didn’t know what to expect and I prepared myself that it might be some airy-fairy stuff. But it turned out it wasn’t. And, you know, I really enjoyed the process and have taken a lot of value from Chris’s expertise.”

Sushil and Chris began working together on the Peak Performance Accelerator, a six-month coaching program designed to provide the tools and insights to excel and evolve as a leader. The Peak Performance Accelerator involves regular weekly or bi-weekly one-hour coaching sessions focusing on goal setting, habit development, recognizing challenges, and exploring opportunities for growth. Chris works with clients from high level executives to entry-level professionals on their approach to conflict resolution, impactful communication, strategic direction and time management.

“We began with Chris asking a lot of questions. His approach to the questioning wasn’t one I had really experienced before. The questions were open ended and with every answer he asked another question, pulling more and more out of me,” explains Sushil. “He made me reach down to the roots which I think was necessary to understand and engage with the process. The reflection hit not only on a professional level but a personal level too.”

Sushil tried journaling for the first time, something he had previously believed wasn’t a fit for him. Chris offered homework, spreadsheets and journaling prompts to organise Sushil’s thoughts, set goals and break them down. As he didn’t enter the program with specific goals, part of his process was to uncover where he could strengthen his leadership approach with his team at Danica as well as challenge his own process and communication style. Through the coaching calls with Chris, journaling and making the time to go deeper on where he could improve, Sushil realized he lacked accountability.

“I recognize for the first time in my life, in my career, that I need accountability beyond that of myself. While I have a board that I report to, they’re very hands off, and I’ve earned their trust. However, I’ve largely been on my own as a decision maker, dictating timelines and driving results,” explains Sushil. “The closest accountability I have in my life is my wife. When it comes to exercise, diet and relationships she’s always helped me stay accountable. But at a professional level, I had no strong accountability to others because I think I have been highly accountable to myself. Chris helped me realize how important being accountable to others was for me. Throughout the coaching experience I had him keeping me accountable which I found really valuable.”

Chris approaches seasoned professional and executive leaders like Sushil differently to those beginning their leadership journey. His expertise in change management allows him to challenge the habits of existing executive skills and ask clients to look deeper into how they lead and motivate not only their teams but themselves. As a multi-certified coach and an expert in Neuro-Linguistic Programming, Chris tailors his coaching, considering the unique needs and opportunities that support his clients to achieve meaningful and lasting results.

“He was always re-framing things and digging deep to understand the “why” for me,” continues Sushil. “In making me answer my own questions, Chris challenged me in a way I wasn’t used to. This method allowed me to learn about myself and he left me with a lot of tools to approach situations differently.”

Chris uses his SUCCESS coaching framework, a comprehensive methodology designed to guide clients towards their goals and peak performance. With Sushil, Chris honed in on Commitment and Support. Fostering accountability and commitment to action while providing ongoing encouragement, feedback, and guidance kept Sushil motivated and focused on his journey.

“I’m often a glass half empty person,” shares Sushil. “Chris would say, ‘that sounds like a success’, or ‘that sounds like progress.’ He pointed out changes in my mood or tone and recognized opportunities for optimism. At times he was cheerleading me through challenges making me realize the victories. Typically I move quickly on to the next thing, but my team has acknowledged the need to celebrate and appreciate where we’ve come from. In the past I’ve thought, well, that’s yesterday, but I’ve seen a transition in my behavior as a result of coaching. In the past, it hasn’t come naturally to me to motivate a team but I’ve seen progress there; the glass is more full.”

For someone like Sushil, at the head of his company in a career he’s built and feels comfortable in, Leadership Coaching can have great value in challenging existing leadership patterns and self awareness. One-to-one coaching offers deeper insights into habits, strengths, weaknesses, and leadership style resulting in lasting mindset shifts.  

“Leadership coaching has caused me to dig deep and think about why we do what we do, and what motivates not only myself but those around me. I now find myself a lot calmer and a lot more willing to ask those open-ended questions with my team,” reflects Sushil. “Chris is incredibly personable. He’s very focused offering undivided attention which invites calm. He creates a space for you to be vulnerable which is essential. I think we all need to, as a society, trust and be more vulnerable. When you’re honest, that’s how you get ahead and Chris really allows space for that. I would definitely recommend coaching with Chris. I started a skeptic but I’m now a fan!”

Learn more about the Peak Performance Accelerator Program
with Chris March Coaching

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