Congratulations to Yolana Kamenchuk on winning second place in the “Transformational Personal Journey” category of the case competition by COACHING.UP!
We share a story that touched the jury with genuine emotions and admiration.
Why did I choose coaching, and what did I expect?
I have twenty years of experience in HR, having worked as an HR manager in large companies, where I was used to an active work rhythm. When the war started, my life changed drastically due to the events that affected us all, and it was during this time that I found out I was pregnant. Until August 2022, I continued working actively and remained in work mode. Around the eighth month of pregnancy, I went on maternity leave.
I was not used to being without work, so I decided to use this time for development and self-improvement. In my professional activity, I conducted many career consultations, and I wanted to deepen my knowledge and master coaching. It was important for me to conduct consultations not from the position of “giving advice” but to help people clearly formulate their requests and find their own solutions. I expected coaching to help me become a more effective consultant and improve my interactions with people.
Key learning moments at COACHING.UP
Studying at COACHING.UP was a transformative experience for me. The most important moments were:
Realizing that coaching is not about giving advice but about providing support and creating space for independent decision-making.
Developing active listening skills and the ability to form deep and powerful questions.
Practicing from the very first day, which allowed me to deeply experience the power of the coaching approach through real cases.
Personally working on not evaluating but perceiving a person without criticism, judgment, or labeling.
How has coaching impacted my life?
The birth of my child undoubtedly changed my life, and alongside this event, coaching became firmly rooted in it. Watching my daughter grow, I became increasingly fascinated by this approach. When I was finishing one of the courses, I shared with my colleagues during the final meeting that I was raising a “coaching child.” And every day, I am convinced that coaching influences not only professional life but also parenting and family relationships.
I am a mother who had no communication problems with my child from day one. I did not experience sleepless nights or crisis moments. My daughter felt heard from her very first months.
Coaching in parenting helps develop a child’s emotional intelligence, independence, and responsibility. It changes the traditional approach to parenting, transforming it into a process of support rather than control.
Here are a few key aspects of how coaching influences parenting based on my personal observations:
When my daughter was very little, I developed both my emotional intelligence and hers together with her. I listened to her visually and audibly: what she was showing, how she was moving, what tones and emphases she was using. Throughout my life and work, I have always naturally read people and their emotions easily, and coaching helped me focus on this as a superpower.
Now that my daughter is 2 years old, I see how coaching can improve even undeveloped communication skills. Coaching is based on active listening, empathy, and open-ended questions. This helps build trusting relationships with the child, avoid conflicts, and maintain constructive dialogue. For example, instead of judgmental remarks like, “Why didn’t you put away your toys?!” I ask, “What is stopping you from putting away your toys?”
Even at such a young age, coaching fosters independence and responsibility. Instead of providing ready-made solutions, the coaching approach helps a child find answers on their own. For example, instead of saying, “Put on your hat because it’s cold,” I ask, “What do you think will help you stay warm outside?” This cultivates responsibility for one’s own decisions.
These are just a few examples from our daily life. Essentially, the coaching approach helps a child see difficulties not as obstacles but as opportunities for growth. For example, if something isn’t working out, I ask, “How else can you do this?” This nurtures resilience and confidence in their abilities.
Coaching has also given me confidence in working with clients. Now, I not only consult but also help people find their own answers. The sense of deeper meaning in my work has been my key discovery.
The main lesson or advice for future coaches
The main lesson I’ve learned from my coaching journey is that the best solutions come from within a person. The coach’s task is to create a space where these solutions can emerge.
Coaching is not about control but about trusting the process and the client. The same applies to children.
My advice for future coaches is not to rush to give answers. Instead, learn to ask the right questions that help people find their own solutions.
Future plans
Today, I am engaged in individual coaching, preparing a project for the corporate sector, continuing to develop as a coach, and incorporating a coaching style into parenting. I also plan to deepen my skills and create a program for HR professionals to help them apply the coaching approach in their work.
I strive to popularize coaching as an effective tool for self-development, career growth, and harmonious family relationships. This is something I am proud of and want to share with others.
Thank you for this discovery!
Author: Yolana Kamenchuk,
Graduate of COACHING.UP
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