Anitha Balaraj

Intro

I work with clients across levels from Individual Contributors, People Managers/Leaders, Business / Functional Leaders and CXOs on career/role/life transitions, people leadership and wellness/resilience topics. Having survived a high-impact road accident, lingering exhaustion & anger issues with prolonged rehab post pandemic, I am now a professional certified coach (PCC) through the International Coaching Federation (ICF). I have worked with clients in the technology, manufacturing, and BFSI (banking, financial services, and insurance) sectors. My members describe me as Present, Empathetic, nudging them towards action, helping them dig deeper into what they truly want, holding them accountable for results thus helping them navigate tough situations/challenges at work & life. My corporate career was in HR, business consulting, D&I, talent and leadership development at KPMG, BASF, and Standard Chartered Bank. I am a gold medalist from the best HR MBA Program in Asia Pacific (XLRI) and an Engineer. A trained yoga instructor & certified forest bathing guide, my hobbies are Meditation, reading fiction, writing poetry, gardening and community playback theatre.

What is your specialization and style of coaching?

Inspiring Leadership & Career coach (ICF PCC credentialed, MBA HR & engineer) with 19+ years of experience in HR, DEI , Leadership/Talent Development & consulting, I coach individuals on career/role/life transitions and help them build people leadership & resilience capabilities. As your coach, I will walk with you during the entire process as a brainstorming partner and sounding board, challenging you to reach greater heights. I help you imagine a daring vision for the future and equip you with resources to break it down into small steps and take action. Being an accountability partner is my superpower in coaching—and I will hold you accountable. I utilize a wide range of holistic strategies including Yoga, Meditation, Somatic Experiencing, Non-Violent Communication, Neuro-Linguistic Programming and psychometric assessments to support lasting behavioral change in clients. I am also walking on my journey of inner growth & transformation by working on self in myriad ways (including working with my own coach, getting supervised) and this reflects in the transitions that my clients want to make in their inner & outer lives.

What relevant qualifications do you have related to your specialization?

Bachelor of Engineering, MBA - Human Resources, Coach training in Leadership that works, Certified Financial Coaching Practitioner from WiseMonkey, Certified in Hogan, Lumina, Thomas DISC, 360 feedback, Trained/Certified in Somatic Experiencing Therapy, Group coaching, conscious business coaching, playback theater, Forest bathing, Yoga, Meditation & Non-violent communication.

What types of clients do you enjoy working with?

I work with leaders, managers and individuals who are driven to build the life & career of their dreams and have reached a stage where they want more out of their lives - the more could be career growth or a more purpose driven life or just slowing down. I help my clients define what that means for them personally. I work with clients across levels from Individual Contributors, People Managers/Leaders, Business / Functional Leaders and CXOs on career/role/life transitions, people leadership and wellness/resilience topics.

What types of clients get the most value working with you?

At different points of time, one can feel stuck due to circumstances and life situations and can benefit from some external push and support. People who have enjoyed working with me mention that they have found immense value due to my sounding board, brainstorming capabilities, vast years of experience of having guided other clients in similar situations. My members describe me as Present, Empathetic, nudging them towards action, helping them dig deeper into what they truly want, holding them accountable for results thus helping them navigate tough situations/challenges at work & life. People who work with me mention that they have gained more confidence working with me.

What’s inspiring you lately?

Right now, I am looking at expanding my contributory impact. I have been exploring volunteering options with foundations which work on poverty elimination, skill building among youth and rural folks in India. I have genuinely enjoyed the last few months of reconnecting with old classmates, colleagues and getting to know them as humans. I am in the process of exploring new hobbies like painting and going back to my old loves - Playback theater & Gardening.