Interview with Anne-Pascale Posey, Interim Manager and Coach for SIM
Anne-Pascale Posey has been an interim coach for Swiss Interim Management (SIM) for the past year and a half. She started her professional journey with a degree in Speech Therapy, then trained as a coach in the USA and Switzerland.
Her specialty lies in assisting managers in their team development and leadership. She helps both corporate executives with organizational development and employee engagement, as well as individuals during professional transitions through video-conference coaching. Her skills and experiences stem from her training as a speech therapist, and further training in HR, and management. Her expertise in coaching, training, management, HR strategies, and interpersonal communication benefits businesses, social organizations, government agencies, and NGOs.
What does your daily work as an interim coach for SIM look like?
In my daily work, I mainly focus on individual coaching, but always with an eye on the entire team. Mostly, I conduct video conferences and regularly visit clients on-site. It's quite challenging and simultaneously incredibly exciting.
What are your achievements in this role?
I recently had a notable accomplishment when I could offer my client new perspectives. Often, during a crisis, one finds oneself trapped in a downward spiral with no way out. At these times, we work on small, concrete steps towards a solution, and devise potential alternatives and options to make collaboration and communication more efficient.
What tips and tricks do you have for interim managers concerning work-life balance?
Introducing small changes can be helpful. For example, a brief five-minute walk can make a difference, as can reflect on what you've already accomplished. Instead of a 'to-do list,' I recommend a 'done list' that illustrates what you've already achieved, rather than just seeing the mountain of work that still lies ahead. When you focus on what you've already accomplished, it gives you the courage and motivation to do more or try something new.
The question that is currently hotly debated everywhere is: how can one deal with the increasing presence of artificial intelligence in relation to job security?
A useful approach is the concept of 'prendre la vague,' or 'surfing the wave.' Instead of thinking the wave will flood over you, you can decide to imagine riding the wave. What new opportunities are there for me? How can I further develop my profession, either in the same industry or perhaps another door may open where I can contribute my skills effectively?
What do you particularly appreciate about your work?
I appreciate the successes that clients share with me during coaching, how they achieved them, and the positive changes they made as a result. This often manifests in a changed attitude and charisma - they are clearly more confident than before the coaching, and they also notice this in their private life.
When asked what she would recommend to those who are still hesitant to choose coaching, Anne-Pascale offers the following advice:
One of my clients was able to avoid burnout thanks to coaching. Through our collaboration, he was able to avert the looming 'deep hole.' He was able to use the crisis as an opportunity to emerge stronger and with even more skills. That's what makes coaching so powerful - it allows us to discover new possibilities and strengths from seemingly negative situations, both professionally and often privately.
And the final piece of advice she always likes to give her clients:
It's very important to focus on concrete solutions and contribute to a positive atmosphere in your work environment, if possible. Work with forward-thinking questions and approach challenges with a benevolent attitude. These values can provide a solid foundation for
professional and personal development.
When asked about her experience working with SIM, she shares her perspective:
I greatly appreciate SIM's trust in me and my working methods. I particularly value the business perspective from SIM that I often get in exchange with SIM consultants, the professional administrative process, and the positive customer feedback that SIM passes on or communicates to me.
To learn more about coaching, Anne-Pascale recommends the following authors:
How SIM supports companies with coaching
SIM supports businesses with a comprehensive coaching approach. This involves a solution-oriented conversation method that uses future-oriented questions, visual aids, and management and project management tools. Concrete solutions are developed and implemented based on real or future professional situations.
Both the individual psychological perspective of Alfred Adler, which sees the leader as a capable and responsible person with potential and the systemic approach, which includes the individual and their environment, are applied.
The coaching focus is on various situations: the relationship with managers, cooperation with employees, and personal work-life balance. The topics include strengthening competencies, setting healthy boundaries between work and private life, learning effective communication strategies, and building a respectful team culture. In the coaching process, the environment is actively involved. Through meetings at the beginning, middle, and end of the process, a status determination is made and progress is documented. Targeted coaching with superiors is also conducted. This holistic approach allows for comprehensive support and contributes to the development of the entire team and the company.
If you are interested in our coaching offer, please contact us!