Seed of Insight
Coaching and Development
where clients explore the alignment of their inner and outer lives in order to think critically, relate generously, and lead courageously
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Seed of Insight offers an individualized development approach based on the client's priorities, values, and needs. Each coaching engagement is unique to the client’s goals and circumstances; however, engagements typically follow an arc that includes initial introductory sessions, work around pinpointing specific needs and goals, data gathering, development planning and iterative practice and reflection.
Services & Approach
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Services
Working primarily with “middle leaders” and leaders who are typically under-represented in leadership roles, Seed of Insight offers executive coaching and development for individuals, teams, and organizations.
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Seed of Insight offers an individualized development approach based on the client's priorities, values, and needs. Each coaching engagement is unique to the client’s goals and circumstances; however, engagements typically follow an arc that includes initial introductory sessions, work around pinpointing specific needs and goals, data gathering, development planning, and closure.
Specific areas of expertise include:
values-driven leadership
individual and team performance development
organizational change
workplace communication
emotional intelligence
psychological safety
authentic workplace diversity
workplace conflict
boundary-setting
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Approach
Kate’s coaching practice is grounded in evidence-based modalities, including appreciative inquiry, cognitive behavioral theory, and emotional intelligence. She uses active listening and powerful questioning to encourage clients' self-awareness, explore new insights, and challenge existing beliefs, enabling them to engage authentically with themselves and in the world.​ Kate is known for her empathetic connection with clients in which she supports them to bring together deep personal insight, data-driven insights to their values and goals in the name of personal and professional development.
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A fecund symbol across many cultures, the pomegranate design at Seed of Insight represents the process of self-insight that is characteristic of Kate's work with clients.
Together, they explore the alignment between clients' inner and outer lives by considering the opportunities between
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germination and performance
insight and action
wandering and stillness
connecting and detaching
These spaces are often ripe with powerful stories and images, values and scripts, hopes and dreams that influence how we engage with the world, and the Seed of Insight engagement helps clients explore how these inner themes shape their behaviors.
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About
Kate O'Donnell, Ed.D. has long believed that authentic change is fundamentally an"inside out" experience that requires individual and collective courage, compassion, and humility.
An educator and school leader for twenty years, Kate now works in leadership development. She has worked with leadership clients and teams across the globe in the technology sector, marketing and sales, medicine, corporate law, academia, and in non-profit and philanthropic organizations to help leaders develop internal mindsets and scripts that align their values with their and practice.
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A lifelong learner, Kate is certified in executive coaching through iCoach Global, affiliated with Zicklin School of Business at the City University of New York. She is an Emotional Intelligence 2.0 accredited coach; accredited in Insights DiscoveryⓇ; and has training in cognitive coaching and Crucial Conversations. She earned her B.A. from Swarthmore College, master’s degrees from University of Pennsylvania and The University of Virginia, and her Ed.D. from The University of Virginia. She is a certified Reiki II practitioner and is learning–slowly– the art of watercolor.
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Testimonials
Kate is an outstanding listener, but also practical and action-oriented. When I felt stuck in a certain organizational dynamic, she helped me to see choices I didn't even know were there. She has been an essential thought partner in our work together, helping me clarify my goals, and holding me accountable for making the changes needed to achieve them.
Kate is a careful listener and an extremely perceptive coach. She was able to pick up on subtle emotional and interpersonal factors that were affecting my leadership decisions, and conveyed them in a way that was warm and non-judgmental.
She created space for me to become the author of my story and encouraged me to be, above all things, honest with myself and others. Her thoughtful feedback and effective guidance has given me next steps for my career that are actionable and achievable.
Kate helped me through a life-changing career transition. In partnering with Kate, I found a coach who first and foremost listened to me as an individual.
Seed of Insight helped me build trust and improve performance on my diverse team. Kate helped me develop a framework for leadership decision-making that is authentic and effective. My whole team has benefited from my coaching work with Kate. She has helped us clarify the relationship between our core values and how we approach our daily work. Her talent for encouraging and helping us develop a collaborative work environment is exceptional.
Kate helped me craft my vision for the company and my role in it. She helped me formulate, focus, and achieve the goals necessary to turn my vision into reality.