Actually the seeds that grew into what I do to-day were planted a long time ago when I was growing up.  I loved being outside and enjoyed learning all I could about the complex inter-relationships in the natural world and as a result wanted to be an ecologist or an environmental biologist  However at the time the only courses in environmental biology or ecology centered on the use of insects to control other pests - not my idea of an 'environmental job'.  I wanted something more holistic, and was lucky enough to discover that I could create my own course at Guelph, as long as I could convince my supervisor that there was a reason for taking the courses I wanted.  

This was my introduction into the practical side of communication, persuasion and inter-personal dynamics!  My interest in how people interacted, made decisions and the role played by communication was further piqued by two courses i took, one in psychology and one in extension education - a course on how to communicate complex ideas to a general audience to achieve a change in behaviour.  The groundwork was laid for my interest in how to help people with different perspectives work together to achieve success.

During my career I soon saw how important communication was in achieving success - especially as I was definitely working in a non-traditional job, and not always welcomed with open arms by my male colleagues, who weren't sure that women belonged in science.

I  also soon saw that the ability to really enjoy your job and achieve great success depended more on your ability to deal effectively with others and get your point across, even when there was little common ground to start with.

I also saw that when projects failed, or people were left out of the loop, it was very rarely because of technical reasons.  Inevitably it was because of 'people' issues - inability to get along, lack of understanding, an inability to see other perspectives, ineffective communication of ideas, a disconnect between what the person wanted and the project goal and/or a natural inclination to rub people the wrong way.

The ultimate result was that often poorer solutions were chosen or a less effective person was promoted, because of interpersonal issues, not technical competence.  And people are notoriously bad at speaking up for themselves (in an appropriate way) and knowing how to create a satisfying personal and professional life.

As time went on this bothered me more and more. 

And I was especially bothered when a person took the position that they didn't have the time to spend 'reflecting' on what was really important to them and weren't interested in trying to 'do the people' thing because they were too logical and analytical to succeed at the touchy feely stuff needed to be successful with people, so why waste time on it.

What I have since found to be true is that it's not that they can't do it, it's just that they've never been given the appropriate tools and processes and shown how to use them with their strengths to help them succeed both in their own life and with people.

So what I've dedicated my life to is finding the appropriate tools and processes and working with these people to help them create the personal and professional synergy needed so they they could really thrive, living their life fully and without regrets.

2.  Who do you work with exactly?

I tend to work a lot with people in the sciences and related fields, especially those in leadership roles or moving into leadership roles.  These are the people who have reached a point in their career when the 'lone wolf' style of work isn't going to cut it any more and they are becoming dissatisfied and frustrated that other people appear to be obstacles rather than helpful in moving to a more rewarding position.  They feel marginalized and de- valued because they can't seem to get others to appreciate what they have to offer.  They have tried working harder and longer hours, however that has only led to increased stress and overwhelm.   They, or their boss, realize that to succeed, they need to have better communication and leadership skills, and the dissatisfaction has gotten so great that they are ready to admit their way isn't working and try something different.

I also have worked with people in  non-traditional jobs who feel isolated and left out and need to find a way of being heard.  Again it comes down to enhancing their communication and leadership skills.

# 1 is people - all the issues that arise in working with others.

 Secondly, they aren’t getting the results they want - results that are really important to them, to their career, and to their business. And...

# 3, life isn’t fun anymore! They're frustrated, overwhelmed and feel under incredible stress every day.  And they don't know what to do about it, or where to start to make it different.

4. How are you different from other regular business consultants,  communications advisors or career coaches?

To start with, I've been there, I've worked in science based organizations and have worked in business development, at the intersect between science and the rest of the world.  I've been in situations were decisions were made based on someone's ability to charm the client/boss, as opposed to selecting the best solution. 

Additionally, having worked with so many strong analytical, results based colleagues, I have a greater understanding of the issues and challenges than most.  I've also seen first hand what's worked and what hasn't worked for them.  And being a researcher by nature, knowing that a new approach is needed, I'm able to identify the key elements needed for success and than go and find the tools and processes that are appropriate for the situation in question.  I don't propose a cookie cutter solution, or a single event based activity that I know from past experience won't produce the changes needed for ultimate success.

5.  What type of personality do you work best with and what is expected of me if I were to work with you?

What about you?

Is your productivity increasing, stagnant, or dropping? Are you losing money through lost time or less than optimal decisions? Have you seen any evidence that you (or some of your people) may be stuck or losing ground because you’re .......

• Communicate with confidence and ease with anyone, anytime.
• Handle any situation, self-assured and effortlessly each and every day.
• Make the right decision and take the right action, no matter what.
• have fun again, living their life fully, confidently, with no regrets!

�  Make the "vital connections" necessary for getting unstuck and creating more meaningful success in their personal and professional lives.

�  Align who they are with what they know so they can be the person, and the leader, they want to be.

�  Re-ignite their passion for their work and their life.

�  Spend more time in "flow", effortlessly accomplishing what’s really important to them.

�  Re-vitalize their workplaces and re-energize their people by re-connecting them to what’s important.

�  Develop more successful, productive, collaborative working relationships, and...

�  Have way more fun, fire and freedom in their lives than they ever thought possible!

People who chose to work with Karen are inspired to believe in themselves because Karen believes in them. She enables them to uncover their unique strengths and gifts, then guides them through a process to create a path that allows them to connect what they value most with what they want to accomplish. Her enthusiasm and open, non-judgmental support, plus her ability to establish rapport and build trust, allows people to evolve their own directions and create step by step plans that are easily actionable for them.

These results have been achieved by Professionals and Small Business Owners who want to live life fully, handling anything, anytime, with confidence and ease, no regrets and Executives who want their organizations to thrive.

People and organizations who work with Karen can draw on her 25 plus years experience "in the trenches", the Executive Suite and the Board Room.

Originally an environmental biologist, her communication and interpersonal skills helped her evolve through many multi-faceted career opportunities, working in England, Canada and the U.S.. She’s worked in the private, public and not-for-profit sectors, in research, adult education, public advocacy, policy development, facilitation, fundraising, organizational and Board development, public relations, seminar and workshop development and presentations, as well as business and alliance development and marketing.

As Executive Director of a national not-for-profit, she worked with senior executives and government leaders and understands how business and government work. Her expertise in developing working alliances and collaborations was further augmented by her tenure as a "Business Development Specialist" in the Federal government where she was instrumental in the development of research collaborations between government labs, private industry and others.

In 1998 she founded Quest’Ar Pathways, working with business owners and senior professionals on how to improve their bottom line by creating great work environments. She has coached senior professionals in successfully transitioning to leadership roles and professionals and business owners on creating highly productive workplaces.

Karen is an Alumnus of the University of Guelph, Coaching and Leadership International Inc., The Coaching Clinic™ and B\Coach Systems L.L.C.. She is a member of CoachVille and the International Coach Federation. She is a trained facilitator and is certified as a national seminar leader (specializing in stress and conflict management, interpersonal skills and communication).

She has served on the Boards of the Ottawa Chapters of both the Canadian Association of Professional Speakers and the International Society for Performance Improvement and has taught interpersonal skills at Algonquin College.

A believer in life-long learning, after completing the B\Coach Coach2 Program, she went on to graduate from the Master Business Coach Program and the Performance Leadership Program. A founding Member of Leadership University (LeadU), she is also the Director, Mentor Program, B\Coach Systems LLC.

"I had never imagined that the ISIS {Integrated Strategic Intention System} coaching process you used with us could be that powerful in bringing about such a transformation with the team ... never have dreamt of doing without the full support of my "new" team and the further support we got from our Board as they gained confidence from experiencing the leadership we demonstrated as a team."

J.-Y.L., Canadian Co-operatives Association

"Because of Ms. Switzer-Howse's extra effort in preparing her materials, she delivered a custom-fit presentation, which exceeded the expectations of everyone in our organization."

A.C., South Nation Conservation

" I was amazed by both your compassion and your high energy.  You made the workshop not only educational but entertaining, and your tips and tricks for self-coaching really hit the mark.  They were exactly what I was looking for.  thank you so much."

J., Workshop participant, Ottawa

Some Organizations Who Have Worked with Karen include...

Canadian Co-operatives Association

South Nation Conservation

Canadian Association of Exposition Managers

Health Canada

Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada

Maimonides Geriatrics Hospital

 North Grenville Chamber of Commerce

Grower's Chemical Corporation

Mountain Moldings Ltd.

Women's Educational Business Breakfast

Merrickville Chamber of Commerce

Toastmaster's Leadership Training

So...does it make sense to work with Karen to get what's really important to you, so you can live life fully, with no regrets?

If so, contact Karen and explore the possibilities.  See if this is the support you've been missing to take that next big step forward and start living your life more fully to-day, with no regrets!

You can reach Karen at:

Phone:   (613) 774 - 4142

Email:     Karen@ThriveSynergy.com