Client Experiences
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Testimonials
"Barb has a great appreciation and understanding for the Twin Cities labor market. Her network can make great things happen for her clients."
Executive Director/CEO
Wisconsin Manufacturing Extension Partnership, WMEP
"Being part of Barb’s network is like being part of a special club!"
Client Management Executive
Distribution Alternatives, Inc.
Lino Lakes, MN
" Barb provides an uplifting and endless supply of positive energy that is helpful in re-framing your point of view, and refocusing your efforts to be more strategic."
Brigadier General
Minnesota National Guard
"Barb helped me with negotiating skills to realize a higher salary and other benefits for a higher compensation package in my new role."
CFO and Treasurer
APi Group, Inc.
"Barb was a tremendous coach in a period of transition. She approached my search with both strategic and tactical insight - supporting and challenging me along the way.”
President
Stylmark, Inc.
“Barbara achieves success with a warm smile combined with a laser like focus. Having Barbara in your career corner is a big plus!”
Founder/President
The Courage Group, Inc.
“Barb’s impeccable character, keen insight, and executive coaching experience enables her to quickly develop a client-focused action plan that generates results.”
Founder
Marketing Ventures, Inc.
"Barb truly understands the marketplace and uses that knowledge to help her clients build and manage positive relationships with all career stakeholders."
Partner
Chandler Group Executive Search
"Barb’s strategic focus, contagious energy, positive attitude and dedication to the success of her clients are innate gifts which empower others to achieve success through her coaching."
Business Project Manager
"When my knees get wobbly, Barb has been there as a true wing woman understanding the uncertainty of it all and courageously asking more of me."
Speaker & Author
"Barb is very outcomes-based in how she partners with her executive clients and displays great empathy, understanding and commitment to their success."
Right Management
Vice President, Strategic Business Development Consultant
"Barb’s counsel and insight have yielded tangible dividends. I navigated the recruitment process with a more strategic approach and the results were successful within six months."
North Memorial Medical Center
Director of Diagnostics
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Leadership Development Coaching Outcomes
“Learning about and understanding concepts about "buy in" prompted me to slow down, listen more, and be more methodical about putting new ideas into action.” Executive Director
“Barb brings corporate experience and perspective.” President, Risk Management Information, Digital Solutions
“Barb was always listening and reflecting back to me my experience and thoughts. She developed trust through having natural genuine conversations. Barb put forth an effort to understand the demands and the nature of the business.” Chief Clinical Officer
“My newly empowered mindset gave me the confidence to know when to lead and when to support others. With Barb's guidance I was able to shed the effects of a previous toxic work environment and grow professionally and personally. Barb has helped me break through many years of talent suppression and develop into a confident, respected, and effective leader.” Governance Director
"The coaching exceeded my expectations. I found the experience enjoyable and reinforced my efforts toward servant leadership and John Maxwell's philosophy and tools. Barb's coaching also helped me apply these ideas even more effectively to my team and those I interact with in all areas of life." Director, Forecast Planning
“Barb has become one of my most trusted advisors and coached me through a huge promotion. I am forever grateful!” Director, Business Operations
"One of the most relevant outcomes was learning how to support the growth and development of my team members which will in turn take some of the workload and stress off my shoulders. I now focus on coaching and mentoring vs. solving their problems." Process Improvement Professional
“The Pareto principle has helped tremendously with my time management, structuring meetings, and prioritizing tasks. I gained a lot of incite on a plethora of topics throughout the coaching process that have helped me gain confidence in my role and how I can grow into my new role.” Business Systems Analyst
“Well equipped. I already had a desire to help, I now practice being the first!" Executive Assistant to the President
“Personal growth in recognition and overcoming of my own personal defensiveness has made a massive improvement in my professional life.” Project Manager
“This process made me aware of how much extra effort is needed to make a team function. People, team dynamics, and directions are areas that are more top of mind and has helped me build stronger teams.” Manager, Postal Strategy
Executive Career Coaching Outcomes
“Barb was a wonderful partner while launching my business. She spent time getting to understand my business concept, she was able to make industry connections, and had a genuine interest in seeing me succeed.” Marketing Executive
“Barb creates a meaningful partnership with clients aimed on a positive search outcome.” CFO & Finance Executive
- "Barb Adams and the team at ECI helped me prepare and execute a winning strategy for success with my career transition. Working with ECI, I was able to better articulate and promote my personal brand, clearly demonstrate my leadership style, accountability for potential employers, and improve my interviewing and negotiation skills."
Business Development Executive,
Explore Information Services, LLC - “An outstanding career coach, who worked with me throughout the process and helped me find consulting opportunities that best aligned up with my skills and interests.”
CEO and Principal Consultant
DAKelling, Inc. - “Barb took time to get to know me personally, which helped greatly in her ability to provide meaningful coaching.”
Business and Technology Leader - “Barb has been excellent to work with. She has so much enthusiasm, and it is contagious. Her positive outlook helped me to remain positive and see the possibilities.”
Finance Consultant - "The coaching and strategy from Barb enabled me to achieve clarity and focus as a leader. Her guidance and discussions using John Maxwell strategies helped reshape my leadership style. I have incorporated these learnings into my role as CEO, as I continue my leadership journey. A Maxwell quote that remains with me on my journey is "Leaders must be close enough to relate to others, but far enough ahead to motivate them." I highly recommend Barb for executive coaching."
CEO, Healthcare Executive - “Coming out of a 31 year career, I found myself a bit lost as to what I wanted to do with the next chapter of my life. I started meeting with Barb and we immediately clicked. Not only was she instrumental in guiding me, and providing insight that helped me explore my own behaviors and skills, but she was also instrumental in helping me regain my self confidence.
Our entire coaching relationship was virtual. We quickly developed a true partnership where I looked forward to our meetings and felt Barb was invested in my growth and success. She was a great listener and asked thought provoking questions that enabled me to be more strategic in my approach. I truly valued my coaching relationship with Barb, and would highly recommend Barb to anyone looking for an outstanding and effective coaching partnership.”
Sr. Director, Shared Services
Boise, Idaho - "Barbara was instrumental in my transition from being the Chief Marketing Officer at a large corporation to a small business owner. Her ability to coach me and ask probing questions helped me discern my true interests and passion.
Barb demonstrated a great ability to truly listen and help me understand my strengths and potential development areas. My transition from the corporate world to owning my own business has been a smooth and very exciting time --- the help Barb provided is a big reason for this!"
Owner – LearningRx - "Barb Adams is the consummate HR professional. She has a great understanding of the Twin Cities market, is a terrific personal coach, and always focused on what was best for me in every situation. Barb knows how to make the most out of difficult situations for her clients.
Barb has a great appreciation and understanding for the Twin Cities labor market. Her network can make great things happen for her clients. Barb opens that network to make the most for her clients. She can make connections and provide direction that few other people in the community can even dream about. Her clients benefit from her talent, knowledge, and generosity.
The direction Barb always takes is serving the best interests of her clients. She always focused on my needs and making it possible for me to reach my goals. Her coaching, strategies, and encouragement helped me find a terrific job and negotiate a contract that paid more than $10,000 than the original offer.
Barb Adams did a great job for me. She can do a good job for you as well!"
Executive Director/CEO
Wisconsin Manufacturing Extension Partnership, WMEP
"As an executive making a career transition from a full-time military career, I feel fortunate to have received coaching from Barb on how to navigate this difficult terrain. Barb is well-connected, is knowledgeable of current trends, and offers cutting-edge tools to enable and equip her executive clients for the ever-changing employment landscape. She brings insight and a fresh approach to help the transitioning executive achieve his/her goals.
Barb provides an uplifting and endless supply of positive energy that is helpful in re-framing your point of view, and refocusing your efforts to be more strategic. She builds trusting relationships by demonstrating genuine care and concern, while remaining aware of your needs so she can effectively guide and influence towards transition success. Barb is an excellent communicator with a keen eye for adding life and meaning to the narratives used by career-seeking executives."
Brigadier General
Minnesota National Guard- "Barb Adams provides a professional coaching service in a personal and caring manner. Barb was one of my first networking contacts when I moved to the Twin Cities in 2005. She has a unique ability to understand someone’s personal motivations and talents.
Barb helped me think seriously about my career plan and focus on values that were important to me when transitioning back from the UK to the US. I felt an openness and honesty from Barb the first time we met. She truly cares about people and is influential in helping people meet their goals.
Barb’s ability to develop strong relationships is evidenced by her network of business contacts. Barb has introduced me to several contacts and they were all willing to help. Being part of Barb’s network is like being part of a special club!"
Client Management Executive
Distribution Alternatives, Inc.
Lino Lakes, MN - "Barb has a great presentation style, exhibiting high energy and passion while being very informative on the topic. We would not hesitate asking Barb to present again at future events for our Career Services, Minneapolis Chapter of Financial Executives International, (FEI). I highly recommend Barb to any individual, group or organization."
FEI Board Member - “Barb was insightful and did a good job at helping me critically think about my next position and employer to ensure my target companies aligned with my career aspirations and that my future employer aligned with my workplace values."
HR Director - "Barb was instrumental in helping me obtain a job in 2005 that has been a great fit for the past seven years. Barb coached and helped me through the transition to market myself after 20 years with the same company. Barb was encouraging and positive as I met with over 150 people while getting more focused on my next career move. In the end, it was Barb who encouraged me to use references that I was reluctant to use that helped me get the job.
When the job offer came in , Barb also helped me with negotiating skills to realize a higher salary and other benefits for a higher compensation package in my new role. I would highly recommend using Barb as your Executive Career Coach as you transition to your next role."
CFO and Treasurer
APi Group, Inc. - "Barb was a tremendous coach in a period of transition. She approached my search with both strategic and tactical insight - supporting and challenging me along the way. Barb is a great listener and used our discussions to help focus my actions towards the most critical aspects of achieving my goals. The end result was a strong strategic plan, focused actions, and a quick transition to a company offering exactly the career opportunity I was seeking."
President
Stylmark, Inc. - “Barb has tremendous passion for her work in coaching senior executives throughout their many career phases and challenges. With over a decade of working successfully with senior team members, Barb truly understands the marketplace and uses that knowledge to help her clients build and manage positive relationships with all career stakeholders. Barb’s coaching style strengthens personal and professional objectivity within her clients. That objectivity is crucial to not just managing one’s career objectives but, it is also critical to becoming a stronger leader.”
Principal and Co-Founder
BenchStrength Executive Search and Talent Solutions - “While employed, I sought the help of Barb to enhance my executive presence and arm me with the tools necessary to land my next career opportunity. I was impressed with Barb’s coaching and guidance throughout the entire process. She helped me develop greater awareness and confidence in my branding and subsequent interviewing. As a result, I navigated the recruitment process with a more strategic approach. The results were successful within six months.
I am now utilizing Barb for continued Leadership Development as I begin my new role. Barb’s counsel and insight have yielded tangible dividends. Colleagues of mine have noticed a difference in me since I began working with Barb. I highly recommend investing in coaching and working with Barb without hesitation.”
Director of Diagnostics
North Memorial Medical Center - "Barb is very outcomes-based in how she partners with her executive clients and displays great empathy, understanding and commitment to their success. Barb is very supportive, yet isn’t afraid to challenge ones assumptions and beliefs. She has a great network and is very instrumental in helping make strategic connections. Barb's style is engaging, direct when necessary and brings out the best in her clients during what can be a difficult time."
Right Management
Vice President, Strategic Business Development Consultant - "Barb didn’t just help me find a different job – she opened the door to a career and a future. Through a series of virtual coaching sessions, Barb became my strength coach. Barb provided critical insight to help me succeed in a competitive, selective job market. She strengthened my confidence, and empowered me with tools and techniques for a timely and successful transition."
Sr. Products Launch Program Manager, NetApp
Boulder, Colorado - I hired Barb over a year ago to help me sort through a life and career transition phase that started in June 2010. She brings a wealth of corporate experience to the table in the way of training, coaching, and assisting others to identify their core strengths, work on their weaknesses, and find a purpose that is meaningful to them. Beyond that though, it is her wonderful enthusiasm, desire to help, and extraordinary ability to listen that struck me as impressive.
Barb's mantra of helping others find the wisdom and confidence that allows them to tear down their self-imposed barriers was evident and of significant importance to me. She continues to encourage, teach, and develop ideas that inspire me to never quit during my transformative journey. When my knees get wobbly, Barb has been there as a true wing woman understanding the uncertainty of it all and courageously asking more of me.
I am of the opinion that life and business is difficult enough. For most of us, flying through both on a solo mission is simply too grueling a process. Having trusted advisors, and coaches like Barb makes things a lot easier. I highly recommend talking with Barb about your challenges and am confident that your time and investment with her will pay off.
Speaker & Author