My Journey Forward

  
  Jessica L. Austin, ACC
  Cross-Cultural Consultant,
  Leadership Skills Trainer and Coach

Certified by the International Coach Federation (ICF), Dean Foster Associates and Development Dimensions International (DDI)

Hello. I am an American living in the Netherlands since 1999, with 17 years of US and Pan-European HR, recruitment, coaching and training experience. I worked in Human Resources HQs for a global professional services firm (Deloitte) for seven years and led career development, coaching and recruitment initiatives at a top 10 European business school (The Rotterdam School of Management, Erasmus University) for six years. I have extensive experience leading workshops for internationally diverse groups of 10-150 people.

Having graduated from the reputable Coaching Certification Program at The Hudson Institute of Santa Barbara, I am a certified coach trained to use methodologies and tools to guide individuals and organizations to make significant, intentional change happen. I am also a DFA-certified Cross-Cultural Consultant  and certified DDI facilitator. I am licensed to administer the IBI Intercultural Readiness Check (IRC),  which assesses individuals’ current level of competence in interacting successfully across cultures. I use this tool with clients working with diversity and/or moving abroad to create awareness of one’s blind spot (see “Johari Window“). I offer a training program for groups and a coaching program for individuals designed to build intercultural compentencies measured by the IRC (Intercultural Sensitivity, Intercultural Communication, Building Commitment and Managing Uncertainty).

My Journey Forward
“Working with internationally-minded people and organizations”

In 2009 I launched My Journey Forward to coach and train clients committed to making intentional, positive change. I coach individuals, teams and families. I also design and conduct customized, in-company intercultural skills training and workshops. Workshops include the opportunity to take the IRC and receive personalized feedback including constructive ideas for development. Workshops can also include an introduction to intercultural theory, interactive exercises, role-plays and case study video. 

My clients have come from 50+ countries around the world. They work at companies in various industries, including: ABN AMRO, American Medical Systems, Crown Relocations, Dean Foster Associates, DDI, Deloitte, Duke University’s Fuqua School of Business, Elsevier, GE, Heineken, IBI, IBM, ING Bank, London Business School, MayCoach & Company, Philips, Shell, Rotterdam School of Management Erasmus University, Unilever, Yale School of Management and more.

Most clients connect with me via referrals; I am promoted by several prestigious business schools and regularly conduct training on behalf of  Crown Relocations (conducting “Global Passport” cross-cultural training ), Dean Foster Associates, Development Dimensions International (DDI) , Intercultural Business Improvement (IBI) and MayCoach & Company. 

In addition to face-to-face meetings, I coach by telephone and Skype. This facilitates my ability to work with people living all over the world.

Some issues I have successfully coached clients thru are: 

- Preparing for a move abroad and successful assimilation
- Improving international team communication and performance
- Identifying career paths closely aligned with the client’s interests and strengths, and taking action to successfully make a career change
- Making a strong, positive impression during every step of the recruitment process (building a network, applications, interviews and negotiations)
- Achieving a healthy work-life balance

Examples of training and speaking engagements:

• Design and conduct “Build Your Cultural Intelligence” workshop for MBA students at Yale School of Management and staff at The Rotterdam School of Management, Erasmus University
• “Leading Diverse Teams” competency skills trainer for IBI (Intercultural Business Improvement)
• Customized and delivered “A World of Difference” workshops for American Medical Systems EMEA operations, finance, sales and marketing teams
• Hired by Crown Relocations to conduct “Global Passport” cross-cultural training for Unilever expats and their families
• Panelist on Duke University’s Fuqua School of Business webinars “Resources for the Global Job Search” and “Global Career Development – Finding Jobs and Opportunities for Career Growth Internationally”
• Hired by CPA Australia to conduct Professional Development seminar “What is Professional Coaching”

An overview of my professional background can be found on LinkedIn at:  http://nl.linkedin.com/pub/jessica-austin/0/525/4