Individual Coaching

As a Gallup-certified strengths coach with over 30 years coaching experience, I focus on what people do well instead of fixating on their weaknesses. My approach is strength-based and solution-focused, using Myers Briggs and other psychometric tools to unpack the issues. Together we will explore your strengths, personality type and communication style to help you navigate your challenges, enhance your emotional intelligence and build your competency.

My coaching qualifications include:

  • Gallup Certified Strengths Coach
  • Accredited Certificate IV inWorkplace and Business Coaching
  • IECL (Institute of ExecutiveCoaching and Leadership) Level 1

How we can help

For executives, managers and anyone who wants to grow in their career, develop greater self-knowledge and communication skills, and increase personal wellbeing, I provide coaching in:

  • increasing conflict competence and confidence in handling challenging conversations,
  • defining personal and professional values to establish an effective work-life balance and enhance wellbeing,
  • identifying natural strengths and how to optimise them,
  • dealing with imposter syndrome and other blockages that hold people back,
  • defining and articulating leadership style to support transition into senior leadership roles,
  • building emotional intelligence and understanding how communication style impacts leadership and management.

The focus is always on the topics that are most important and meaningful for you – coaching is a fully personalised, one-on-one conversation. Sessions can be held remotely or in person. They are usually conducted in a one-hour block and can be booked as a one-off or on an ongoing basis until you achieve your goals.

Conflict coaching

We use coaching as a conflict resolution technique, where it helps people shift their thinking to proactively resolve the immediate situation.

But conflict coaching is also valuable when a lack of conflict confidence is holding someone back in their position or career. By raising self-awareness of the triggers and assumptions around conflict, I can help people feel comfortable in knowing they can deal with it confidently and manage it in a controlled way. It’s a vital skill for team leaders and others in management or leadership positions.

I will be forever indebted to the person who recommended DK Sonin & Associates to me… Debbie just did not write a report and leave. She worked with the organisation at all levels to bring the recommendations alive.
Andrea O'Neill, General Manager, Berrigan & District Aged Care Association
Debbie displays a wonderful balance between achieving positive and timely solutions and encouraging a supportive and inviting process built on mutual responsibility, accountability, and open transference for change.
Nick Koletsis, Principal Consultant - Workplace Relations, Fire Rescue Victoria
Deb’s insightful coaching increased my confidence, enhanced my performance and provided a fresh perspective to support my growth.
Michael Schoen, Parks Victoria
Debbie is approachable, professional and practical. She provides consistent quality support and is a great sounding board. Dealing with Debbie is like an extension of our own organisation. She understands the business and moulds her style around us.
Brant Doyle, Manager Organisational Development, Moira Shire Council
Deb Sonin is an acknowledged expert in workplace conflict resolution and has extensive experience advising on discrimination, sexual harassment and bullying. Deb’s professional background makes her an obvious choice to assist with difficult cultural and interpersonal issues in the workplace.
Michael Gorton AM, Principal, Russell Kennedy Lawyers
With her clinical and human resources background, Debbie offers a unique value proposition for businesses that want to implement change… Debbie always goes above and beyond for her clients and thinks deeply about providing solutions that will work for all parties.
Catherine Brooks, Practice Leader, Moores
Debbie is an astute observer, facilitator and communicator. She is a highly skilled mediator and excels in coaching team leaders to effectively manage and improve team dynamics, behaviours and interactions.
Leigh Rhode, Chief Executive Officer, Gateway Health
I highly recommend Debbie as an expert in conducting strength-based workplace cultural reviews.
Jenny Salkeld, Executive Director of Nursing, Colac Area Health
Debbie is warm, friendly and helpful and always makes challenges manageable.
Kurt Porflit, Managing Director, Busch Australia
Debbie is sensitive, engaging, warm… She is able to see the challenges and opportunities and find solutions in quick and practical way.
Greg Embleton, CEO, Byte
Deb's professional, warm and sincere approach is evident in her engagement with individuals and management alike through difficult and sensitive matters, with her ability to gain respect from all parties that facilitates successful outcomes.
Linda South, General Manager, The Queen Elizabeth Hospital
I recommend Debbie Sonin to any employer who wants to provide their staff with opportunities to turn workplace behaviours around, improve their teamwork or learn new ways of interacting with others.
Robyn Shilton, Executive Officer, Community West Inc
Debbie has always demonstrated an appreciation of the industrial and personal impacts of her work, and has achieved results beyond what might have been expected given the complexity of the matter.
Estelle Fyffe, CEO, annecto
Deb Sonin's breadth of experience across change management, industrial relations and conflict resolution is evident in her unique ability to address complex and intractable issues to synthesise the complexity into workable, tangible, successful results.
Linda South, General Manager, The Queen Elizabeth Hospital
Debbie is highly skilled and engaging, making interactions professional and fun. Personally, Debbie is great to work with and is always able to have a chat about a situation that might arise outside of the regular engagements.
Sue Rolland, General Manager, Deakin University Student Association
Debbie provides a sense of calmness and direction during difficult situations to help me remain in control. The experience and knowledge that Debbie brings is incredibly useful and helps me to get the most out of the team I work with.
Liz Moore CPA, Practice Manager, Bluebird Accounting
Debbie is an extremely talented and resourceful practitioner, demonstrating a deep and extensive understanding, knowledge and expertise in mediation, coaching and facilitation. Whenever I need support from an external provider in facilitating a conversation, I engage Debbie.
Brant Doyle, Manager Organisational Development, Moira Shire Council
Debbie operated with integrity, sensitivity and empathy for all within our team and encouraged staff to find their voice in sharing their experiences of the dynamics of the workplace.
Peter Nancarrow, Chairperson of the Board, Jacaranda Village
I have a high level of trust in Debbie’s ability to read the dynamics of a work environment and to co-design and implement respectful and thoughtful approaches to solving problems and improving team functioning.
Leigh Rhode, Chief Executive Officer, Gateway Health
Copyright © 2020 DK Sonin & Associates Pty Ltd | Privacy | Terms