Inspiring Conversations with Darrell Williams of Alliance Seminars Coaching

Several things have helped me build my reputation within my market. One thing that helped was I identified a need within my community that required an answer. Some marriages were good, but there was an opportunity to help them become healthier. The other thing I did was become a level 2 certified coach through the Certified Life Coach Institute to show clients that I was an industry expert within my field, making clients more comfortable with utilizing our services. In addition to becoming certified, I partnered with established organizations, such as the church, that were known for helping others and not looking for a lot in return.

Another organization that I partnered with was Dr. Paul White and the Appreciation at Work Team. Throughout my career, the appreciation came naturally. Even though I didn’t know the specific language of appreciation identified by Dr. White, at that time, I made sure I took the time to get to know everyone I worked with, to learn about their stories and what they cared about. This enabled me to speak with each person in the way that affects them the most: genuine appreciation for who they are and what they do.” “At first, I was a little skeptical about the Appreciation at Work service because I thought, ‘what do I need this for? I’m already doing it.’ But when I read the book, I realized this was awesome. It is a simple, scientifically based process that you can use to scale appreciation across any organization. Once I saw the benefit of having a process, I took the training, and my wife is also certified.” As a keynote speaker, I ensure that I meet the needs of event planners and organizations while leaving the audience with a challenge that can help them grow personally, as well as help their organization. Some words that have been used to describe me as a speaker are eloquent in delivery and compelling in content, inspiring, passionate, and engaging, to list a few. As it relates to Coaching, I have found three things that have helped me with clients, particularly military members transitioning to civilian life.

Be Trustworthy

We must realize when a Coach can be entrusted with a client’s secret fear or with anything else important. It allows the coaching relationship to grow and makes the client feel comfortable enough to answer questions that they believe will bring them closer to their ultimate goal and let them put together a plan they feel good about implementing. Building trust in the military is vital; without it, bonds cannot be formed, which can hinder any chance of individual connection and directly affect collective mission goals.

Be Transparent

It is beneficial when a military member knows that I was a Veteran before we begin our coaching relationship. They feel more comfortable knowing they are working with someone who has walked through the same journey they are about to embark upon. This is vastly different from other civilian clients because military members form a brotherhood and sisterhood similar to first responders. However, during the initial discovery call or meeting, clients may feel connected to working with an honest coach about life challenges that led them to become a coach. For example, I remember sharing part of my transition story when I couldn’t find a job after retiring while supporting a wife and a 1-year-old. Their anxiety turned to laughter when I told them I would still do my morning routine for months, as if I was going to work, only to walk my wife to the car, kiss her, then go back into the house and start the job search all over again. It gave them hope that “this guy does know how I feel, and if he can get through it, maybe I can too.”

Be Truthful

One advantage of working with Veterans is they expect me to be honest when it comes to the questions that I ask them and hold them accountable for an activity they were scheduled to complete. Although they are used to following direct orders, they need to understand why I don’t tell them what to do next. Instead, I ask questions that will help them identify the roadblocks and identify actions that will get them back on track to accomplish their goals.

About our brand, we commit to excellence as we perform C.P.R. on lives by providing Clarity, Purpose, and Resilience. We have inspired individuals, couples, and organizations throughout the Washington DC Metropolitan area and always look forward to bringing our personal touch to others or their next event.