Sheryl Andrews, Founder of Step by Step Listening
Sheryl Andrews is the author of 'Manage your Critic - From Overwhelm to Clarity in 7 Steps' and the Founder of Step by Step Listening. Sheryl talks to The Industry Leaders about the power of asking for help and why taking your own advice can be powerful.
How did you end up sitting where you are today?
I was a Slimming World consultant, and I was searching for answers to what I could do to support others with change. I wanted to understand how others needed me to be, for them to be motivated to do the things they said they wanted to do and the things they simply had to do.
What kind of work does your role involve?
Listening, asking questions, and providing evidence-based feedback helps individuals make sense of their patterns of behaviour. From here, they can choose to change behaviour that is not getting them what they want.
What gets you excited about your industry?
I love that moment when someone truly feels heard, understood, and more importantly, they hear and understand. It is pure joy to witness someone shift from feeling completely out of control to feeling they have control, and they can actually influence their situation.
What's the best advice anyone ever gave you?
Take your own advice. When I was stuck with the same problem I solved for my clients, my husband asked me what I would tell my clients to do. I started to attend my own programmes with the assistance of my team and other trained facilitators.
What, or who inspires you?
My children are my motivation. I want to be a good role model, and I want to be available emotionally, mentally, physically and financially to support them and share their journey.
How do you keep up to speed with what's happening in your industry?
I have invested in my training every year since qualifying in 2008. The questions pretty much stay the same, but you can always train yourself to pay more attention as the listener. So the training is never finished.
What was the most challenging project or situation you've overcome?
Being a mum and daughter relationship coach and having my own relationship with my daughter break down was tough. I felt isolated and alone. Like I could not tell anyone; otherwise, my business would fall apart as well as my personal life.
Turns out that reaching out for help actually made me and my business stronger.
You finish work today and step outside the office to find a lottery ticket that ends up winning $10 million. What would you do?
I would invest the money to provide for my family, and I would donate my time to charities and other organisations that need a coach but can't afford them. I would also pay for a marketing team to help with my branding and help me get the message out there more effectively.
How do you switch off after a day at work?
I literally have a metaphorical switch. I put work in a box, and then either in reality or in my imagination, I hit the light switch, shut the office, and leave.
If many things are going on in my head or just my system, I might write everything down and note when I can deal with them and then go for a walk or do a workout. I might put music on and cook. Even things like changing a room, smell, or sound help reorientate my body and mind into downtime.
If you had one wish for the future of your industry, what would it be?
That more people knew what coaching was and how many different kinds of coaches there are. Just because one coach didn't work for you doesn't mean 'coaching' or talking doesn't work. For people to know the difference between therapeutic listening, counselling and coaching so that they can make an informed choice when they want support to change.
What book or podcast should everyone know about?
I really like Karen Murray's Smart Business Podcast, and I'd recommend my own book - Manage Your Critic - From Overwhelm to Clarity in 7 Steps.
How should people connect with you?
You can reach me via any of the following:
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