Deborah Messina is the strategy manager, contracting/licensing coordinator and chair of the diversity and inclusion council at Northwestern Mutual. She is an exceptional and caring leader at work, at home and in the community. Debbie is the person at work who everyone knows and goes to when they don't know what else to do.
What is Empathic Leadership?
“Someone who is able to understand the feelings others in effort to understand the needs of others.”
What skills or competencies did you enhance through the coaching process?
“If I continue to wait until things are perfect nothing will change so TAKE ACTION! Action will always get me closer to my goals! Know my capacity. Emotional Intelligence is key to leadership.”
Share an example of a goal that you have realized as a result of coaching.
“So many. Navigating difficult conversations and received the results I was hoping for.”
What do professionals need to start anticipating as the change needed to be a strong leader?
“Leaders recognizing the validity of ones feelings.”
Describe Michael Sgro as a professional coach.
“Michael is an amazing individual that continues to see growth and positivity in all. As a coach you definitely need someone that can see what you don't see or what you haven't allowed yourself to see. I love that he is always including other vehicles of information to educate allowing new perspectives. The process is individualized to you!”
Anything else you want to share about leadership?
“We can all be stronger leaders. Coaching with Michael has allowed me to grow as a leader both professionally and personally. Strong leaders will continue to evolve as the needs in our environment change. Looking forward to the future.”
Our mission is to coach extraordinary leaders and to develop empathy as a core competency. We work with business owners, nonprofit organizations, professionals, universities and community members who are facing challenges in their personal and professional effectiveness or want to reach their full capacity as a leader.