Are you looking for an executive coach who can help you unlock your full potential and achieve your professional goals? Look no further! In this blog post, we have the privilege of interviewing Sasi Panchal, an experienced executive coach based in Hertfordshire. Sasi has a wealth of knowledge and expertise in guiding individuals towards success in their careers. Through a series of thought-provoking questions, we explore Sasi’s background, coaching approach, and the valuable insights she has gained throughout her career. Join us as we delve into this illuminating Q&A session with Sasi Panchal, an executive coach who can help you take your career to the next level.
DECD: What was your very first job?
Sasi:
My first job was in retail as a Sales Assistance at C&A as a Saturday girI which I absolutely loved. It taught me about dealing with the public and helping to create a positive customer experience. A few years later and prior to going off to University I spent the summer as a Microbiology Laboratory Assistant. The laboratory tested milk supplies fresh from the farm before it was distributed into glass bottles on the production line. The early starts and the smell from the tankers were enough to make me almost quit the job. It taught me the importance of developing tenacity and perseverance. I learnt that intrinsic motivation was key to achieving my goals and knowing how to overcome obstacles when they surfaced. These skills became invaluable in my corporate career and later influenced my decision to focus on developing leadership development capability and later defining my purpose as a leadership coach.
After graduating with a degree in Molecular Biology I joined the Forensic Science Service. I was part of small team who developed and implemented the National DNA Database. A huge undertaking and a milestone I’m proud to have been a part of. I learnt to work meticulously and effectively alongside a team of graduates, senior forensic scientists and government officials to develop a forensic laboratory service from scratch. Looking back this role really shaped my approach to managing and leading teams later in my corporate career and learning the value of good leadership.
I joined corporate pharma, GlaxoSmithKline shortly after and held several roles across R&D from Molecular Biologist, Bioinformatician, IT Project Manager, Capability Development Lead and Business Transformation Manager. I learnt that leading and managing international teams requires adaptability, agility and leadership that supports all members to contribute and succeed together. Along with the opportunity to travel globally it widened my world view and appreciation of the untapped diverse talent that sometimes can go unacknowledged, unseen and unheard. Reflecting back, my focus on leadership coaching came from my direct experience of leading others and wanting to bring out the untapped potential at the individual and at a team level.
DECD: What inspired you to become a coach?
Sasi:
I was inspired to become a coach after having had a profound coaching experience back in 2010. The coaching opportunity was offered alongside my delivering of a major R&D transformational programme at GSK. I’d never had coaching before and can say wholeheartedly it had a profound impact on my leadership and that of the team.
It was something I instantly felt compelled to pursue and trained with the Co-Active Training Institute. I became part of GSK’s internal cadre of Job Plus Coaches. This enabled me to coach predominantly female clients across the globe on GSK’s ICF Award winning, ‘Accelerating Differences’ Programme and many other initiatives. I specialised in cross cultural coaching and supporting diverse female talent to realise their potential and move geographic locations and into senior leadership roles in the organisation. At the same time, I coupled my growing curiosity on what makes great leaders by embarking on an MA in Leadership at Henley Business School. It became the source of great knowledge and a research project to make sense of why changing leadership behaviours and mindset can be sticky for some yet, easy for others. I use this knowledge and experience when coaching clients.
I knew at some stage that I’d make the leap of faith in myself and do what I love as an independent leadership coach and consultant. As with all good things the opportunity came in 2020 when I made the bold and brave step out of my comfort zone. The journey was worth it and continues to evolve as a leadership coach and consultant.
DECD: As a coach what led you to specialise in the particular area that you concentrate on
Sasi:
I decided to specialise in leadership coaching and focusing on supporting female clients to help elevate their voices, to be seen and to be progressive in thoughts, actions and words. To help make a difference however marginal or ground breaking it may be. Every step forward counts!
DECD: What is the most interesting part of your work?
Sasi:
There are many aspects of the work that I do with my clients that bring fulfilment. In particular and when coaching, I witness clients overcome challenges that they had feared where unsurmountable and find themselves exceeding their expectations. Often, I am one of a few people they will have shared their personal challenges with. In my eyes that’s a huge privilege and responsibility, one which I safeguard by creating a sense of psychological safety, empathetic listening and balancing radical candour with honesty.
DECD: What is the one project/case that you’re most proud of in your career and why?
Sasi:
There are a few I can mention. The most profound for me was taking a leap of faith in myself and becoming an independent leadership coach which meant leaving a corporate role at the height of the pandemic! It was important to role model what can come from taking leaps of faith and challenging ourselves to be the best we can and to keep evolving. When clients share what they have achieved through coaching … “I’ve found me, again” … “it’s been life changing” … “I’m not only seen, I’m influencing others in a way I has never experienced before” it makes me incredibly proud to have supported them to achieve their greatness.
DECD: What are your thoughts on diversity and inclusion in the workplace in today’s society?
Sasi
Reflecting on the work I do helping teams and organisations to enhance levels of psychological safety. The advantage of being more inclusive and diverse enables everyone to be more of themselves i.e., to bring diverse perspectives, thoughts, views, suggestions and ideas for the betterment of the workplace. The hope is to continue to create an impact such that it creates a ripple effect reaching out to society, communities and future generations to come. There is still work to be done.
DECD: What about your heritage makes you feel proud?
Sasi:
My rich Indian culture instils within me values that help me align my actions, words and behaviours in life with purpose and vocation.
DECD: What do you do outside of work?
Sasi:
I love spending time with my daughter and in particular our ‘Mum and Daughter; adventures. It started off as a short weekend away in Margate when she was 6 years old. Since then, we’ve ventured around the globe: New York, Bali, Mexico, Dominican Republic, Paris, Verona, India, Dubai and Cape Town to mention a few.
I enjoy Pilates, Yoga and the gym and recently decided to take up golf. The latter has been quite a rollercoaster! I love the challenge of learning something new to flex my mind and body. The experience so far has me translating some of the psychology of golf into my leadership coaching practise.
I love spending time with friends, dining out, time for reflection and quality conversations.
DECD: What’s the most interesting thing you’ve read this week?
Sasi:
I dip in and out of several books at a time to offer new insights;
The Inner Game of Golf by Tim Gallwey
Radical Candour by Kim Scott
The Second Curve by Charles Handy
DECD: What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given?
Sasi:
“Be the best you can be, you are not competing against others but the best version of yourself”
DECD: What is your favourite movie, book, song, album or quote?
Sasi:
A quote from Maya Angelou
“If you are always trying to be normal, you will never know how amazing you can be”
Interested in working with Sasi? Find out more about her professional coaching career here.
