Shirley was recommended to me by my physician as a Professional Executive and Wellness Coach. I will admit that I was skeptical at first of anyone who claimed that they would be able to help me with my anxiety and insecurities. After all, at 55 years of age, it is very difficult to teach someone to change existing behaviors and thought patterns. Much to my surprise, Shirley was able to not only help me to handle my anxiety; she also taught me how to function in my high stress profession with a lot more confidence, clarity and strength.
I learned how to observe my actions and behaviors. I was able to begin to identify my destructive patterns and behaviors and to structure new alternative healthy behaviors. I went from being a stressed out professional to an even higher performing sales leader in my company. I learned how to transform my negative energy into positive results. Shirley taught me the coping skills to handle the everyday changing and increasingly stressful corporate environment in a way that has led me to become happier and more adept at handling the high level of stress that is part of my profession. I needed these skills to avoid the common fate of most high-level sales executives. The eventual burnout and lower productivity that is so common in my profession has been alleviated by the coping skills that Shirley has taught me. I now look forward to being able to produce at a consistently high production level. I did not think that I would have to be able to make it without the professional executive coaching that Shirley provides
As I said in the beginning, I was very skeptical at the beginning, but Shirley has proven to me that you can change if you are given the right tools, skills, guidance and mentorship. Shirley has allowed me to improve both my work life and my home life with her invaluable knowledge and teachings. I have never benefited this greatly from any other leadership, sales, or professional improvement programs.
- Janet Hoskins
I’ve known Shirley St. Michael for roughly 20 years. The fact that I have continued to come back to her for advice, coaching, and fresh insight is itself a testimonial to the value she delivers. As chief executive of several consulting firms I have often been challenged by issues that demand clear priorities as well as insight into motivation and individual personalities. I have also sought Shirley’s reflections and insights about myself, when clarity is required to “get beyond myself” – something that she seems to provide with unique intuition and understanding. As a family man, I have also sought advice from Shirley, often because for me (as for many others, I suspect) there are usually connections and interdependencies between my personal and business lives. In that regard, Shirley has often enabled me to see the whole picture, to obtain an integrated view of myself in context, both of my current situation and of my overall path of personal evolution. Shirley brings intuitions to the conversation that are close to magical, often providing confirmations for things I have thought but never spoken, explaining others’ behavior in ways that ring true at the time and turn out to be predictive, and assessing particulars in the context of a whole life (mine) in a way that all fit together. I seldom know exactly what will come of conversations with Shirley. But over the years I have come to trust that when I need clarity amidst confusion, priority in the face of excessive demand, or feedback about hunches that I cannot quite articulate, she is the best person to whom I can turn. Many of the most important decisions I have made and paths I have taken in my life have been positively influenced by the sage advice of Shirley St. Michael. I would recommend her to anyone seeking a unique and powerful source of insight and clarity in their lives.
- Carl Binder, PHD CEO, The Performance Thinking Network, LLC.
I've known Shirley for many years, and have worked with her in individual and group settings, in-person and over the phone. I had the pleasure of working with Shirley as a coach during a job search. I felt at ease and comfortable in my conversations with her, as she conducted the discussion at the highest level of professionalism. She listens to clients, and makes their needs paramount.
Shirley helped me define and market my strengths, analyze potential opportunities, and better understand the people and organizations I was considering working with/for in my next position. She guided me to the personal insights and confidence necessary to “wait it out” for the right position, the best match, and ultimately to a career change that was the best decision I could have made for me and my family.
Due to her encouragement, support and advice, I continue to grow personally and professionally utilizing the tools she has taught me. In particular Shirley was also helpful in assisting me build important partnerships.”
- Cheryl Gorman
Federal Programs Project Manager, Washington D.C.
“Shirley has the ability to tap incredible energy sources that shift stagnation into clarity of action. I have repeatedly been so impressed by her expert insight and laser direction. The breakthroughs I have made toward my visions could not have been realized without Shirley's professional expertise.”
Financial Advisor, Albany, New York
“I found myself in a crisis. The stresses of job, finances, marriage, and children brought about my “mid-life crisis,” which can best be described as my return to Spirit. Life wasn’t where I wanted it to be. Without realizing it, I needed a life coach. Under the label of “personal empowerment,” my wife and I signed on to work with Shirley on a weekly basis, one on one. This was no small commitment! Three years prior to being introduced to Shirley, I had lost my Mom to cancer. I didn’t realize it then, but I had not completed the various stages of grief. My ‘disconnect’ had a fair amount to do with this loss. Shirley’s abilities soon allowed me to see the spiritual side of life. First, I learned to slow down; to listen; to be present……to live in the moment. To this day, there are still times I have to catch myself and re-set my center. Most of all she taught me to Be Open…..and to realize there are no coincidences. When I am open, the Universe presents me with all that I ask for and need. It is true: “when the student is ready, the teacher will appear.”
CEO of an Educational Institute and Board Member of a Boston Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
“Shirley St. Michael is a trusted advisor with a keen insight into human behavior and motivation. She can quickly assess a team’s strengths and weaknesses, develop a roadmap for change, and guide both individuals and teams to optimal alignment.
Shirley has worked with my executive teams at three different technology companies on programs including leadership skills, goal alignment, team building and professional skill development. Shirley’s work has focused on setting the framework for healthy leadership and productive communications in rapidly growing organizations. Shirley is very effective in coaching executives to play to their individual strengths and also to understand how to optimize value and interactions across a team.
Specifics to developing leadership:
· Worked with individuals on a one-to-one basis as well as coaching in planning meeting with two or more managers,
· Clarified objectives, strategic planning and goal setting of the individuals and their roles in the organization, and
· Met with the individuals on a monthly basis as well as working with them weekly by phone.”
Circuit Librarian Boston, Massachusetts
“When I began working with Shirley I was facing a situation in my job as Circuit Librarian for the United States Court of Appeals, First Circuit in which I needed some outside help. Ms. St. Michael was recommended to me, and I first experienced her process for working through the roadblocks, which prevented me from achieving my goal.
I then participated in a group that Ms. St. Michael formed. Six to twelve of us came together to spend the day working on personal life situations that individual members were experiencing. As Ms. St. Michael facilitated the discussion, we would ask questions aimed at helping to clarify the problem. The person in the hot seat came away with the realization of what was blocking him from achieving his goal, and with a plan of action for moving forward. We therefore learned how to do this ourselves. We each learned additional ways to approach and reach our own life objectives.”
Founder of Eldercare agency / Credentialed Senior Expert Herndon, Virginia
“Shirley St. Michael will change your life, even when you think you're doing just fine! I have a master's degree in education and founded my own successful Eldercare agency, while Shirley tuned me in to my boundless possibilities and the support that is all around me. She is an unconditionally loving taskmaster with supreme intuition and talent.”
Registered Nurse & Credentialed Life Coach Atlanta, Georgia
“After working with Shirley my eyes were opened about the life transforming power of coaching. I achieved both career and personal goals in a very rapid time frame. Shirley has an uncanny, laser focused ability that helped my process of self- discovery, and to eliminate obstacles that held me back from my own success. More importantly, she was brilliant in helping me to create a sustainable plan of action for achievement. I have enjoyed my many successes and will continue to work with Shirley to actively create more life fulfilling resolutions.
Shirley has high integrity and mastery in her coaching abilities. I highly recommend her to anyone wishing to revel in life's success and fulfillment.”
CEO of High-Tech Boston, Massachusetts
“I find my sessions with Shirley, whether related to personal or business relationships, sales, marketing, or legal challenges, provide me with a unique perspective that helps me consider alternative options, which I can utilize appropriately. Her insights are unique and powerful. Those fortunate enough to work with her will be transformed.”
Ph.D. in Experiential Psychology Seattle, Washington
“I have used Shirley's services at multiple points in my business and personal life to help me understand and envision possibilities, and to provide reflection on whom I am and where I am going. Her deep insights that "ring true" and seem to come from a deep intuitive sense, have been helpful with everything from business decisions to difficult personal choices. You will need to evaluate her input after a first session, to see if she is a good fit for your needs, but I predict that you will be surprised and quite satisfied.”
Principal at Business & Development Company Wayland, Massachusetts
“I had the good fortune to work with Shirley on several occasions and found her to be an extremely effective life coach and advisor. She brings compassion and focus to her work with clients, which occurs on multiple dimensions, impacting both job performance and personal wellbeing. During my time working with Shirley, she made a positive impact on thought process, attitude, intuition and energy. She is able to tailor her approach to her client’s needs and is very insightful and persistent in addressing key issues. I highly recommend her.”
Real Estate Agent Elizabethton, Tennessee
“I had the opportunity to meet Shirley at a conference and was immediately intrigued by her spiritual awareness. She was able to explore a couple of spiritual insights with me as we sat outside by the pool for a quick lunch. Shirley asked me questions about my family and if my parents have indeed passed on. When I told her, they have been gone for a while, she then told me they are in a "very good place". As she was explaining more to me she said there is a beam of light coming directly down to my head. She was sensing so much love from my parents. I did not see this beam of light at the time but a couple of weeks later I was on a hike with my family and a picture spoke for itself. Several pictures were taken on this rock but the beam was only on me even with others in the shot. It was a true and loving confirmation from my parents. Thank you, Shirley, for a beautiful experience.”
Master’s Degree Student Fort Lauderdale, Florida
“Shirley is someone who has a lot to offer any perspective client because she holds many great traits and qualities. She is gifted in helping find the most positive solution to any problem by observing the problem from every angle. She is dedicated to one’s best interests as well as the most healthy and useful advice. Her work with me opened me up to see a new side of day-to-day life. She was very easy to talk too and did not shame any ideas or subject brought to the table. This is something most professionals would not take the time to evaluate but she did. Seeing fulfillment and success along the coursework with her clients is a top priority for Shirley and I recommend her services to anyone with an open and dedicated mind and to a client wanting results.”
Entrepreneur Chicago, Illinois
“Because my wife and I have recently started a home-based business working together – a business that is built upon establishing solid relationships -- the process Shirley has provided me is key to our personal and business success. Expending so much time and energy trying to please others, I became very good at suppressing things. Because of this, unresolved feelings would build-up and spill out on unrelated situations. Using the step-by-step approach Shirley taught me, I began to pay attention to my thoughts, recognize my feelings, and tap into my inner voice. This process has enriched my relationships by helping me to better communicate.”
Business Consultant & Developer Boston, Massachusetts
“Shirley St Michael was retained as an Executive and Business Coach for an integrative health organization in its early stages of development. Shirley advised and coached the executive team in strategic direction and planning. Her skills in decision-making and problem solving were fundamental to the organization’s development, and in her coaching work she imparted those skills to others. Since this was a start-up there were multiple new hires and her role was to coach them in job performance. Concurrently, she coached staff members as needed in goal setting, clarifying objectives and performance. I would like to add that I can provide a reference on her behalf as to the high quality and expertise of her professional advice and coaching expertise without reservation.”
Honors & Award-Winning Corporate Executive Baltimore, Maryland
“I was always a top sales producer in every type of sales that I have ever tried. I was not equipped to handle the recognition and the promotions that came along with my success. Shirley has taught me how to navigate the corporate environment and still maintain my identity. I have learned that I can still have boundaries that are needed for my personal comfort, sanity and not to fall victim to the relentless pressures of always having to outperform myself. I have learned to maintain a work life balance that has actually allowed me to be happier and still maintain my high level of production.”
Account Executive Howard County, Maryland
“I highly recommend Shirley St. Michael to anyone who struggles with how to successfully survive and thrive in a very high stress demanding profession. She has truly been invaluable to me as a mentor and a guide.
She has been there to take all my calls and she has a very clear defined process that can be learned and incorporated into your daily life. I accomplish more now than I did before and I have taken on additional life challenges with more ease and less anxiety. My physical health has improved. The mental confusion I struggled with is gone. I have replaced it with a better way that consists of coping skills and action plans that Shirley has taught me to utilize daily.
College Freshman Radnor Township, Pennsylvania
“Like all college freshmen, for the first time I was truly on my own making decisions about social and academic priorities. Without any formal class in leadership offered at my college, I worked with Shirley St. Michael on a leadership program. Shirley was a phenomenal instructor who guided me through a process of self-discovery about the true meaning of leadership – for myself and within a group. Now a working professional with direct reports and a large network of co-workers, I find myself applying many of the same leadership principles I developed under Shirley’s guidance.”
Mother of a Student Client
”As a long-time CEO, I believe ethical leadership is the cornerstone of corporate culture. Ethical leadership is not a learned skill, but rather cultivated and extended from personal values. Shirley was very insightful in helping my son transform his personal values into a very effective social, academic and professional leadership style.”
Public Advocate Prince George County, Maryland
“Let me tell you – no doctor or teacher services I can think of have benefited me as much as my experience with Shirley St. Michael. I believe Shirley has gut instinct and awareness (and also sometimes uses what some folks would call psychic ability). More than once I had freely expressed a notion that I later came to realize was a crazy notion, and I tell you – she knew that from the start and Shirley’s initial reaction might be a pleasant laugh. In retrospect, knowing now how crazy the notion, I do not feel embarrassed, but grateful that I enjoyed that “walk on the wild side’ with my imagination. You see, that license I felt to speak crazy notions to Shirley also proved to be the license that freed up really valid feelings, ideas, words, actions – you name it.
She coached me to look at and USE EVERYTHING—no matter what it took on value, and therefore, made my entire life worthwhile. She never ‘hit me when I was down,” or capitalized on such an over-the-barrel or demeaned moment to try to control or affect a change in me; rather she would address the issues of those moments non-judgmentally and face them with me, and so—inevitably and as I said before-- allow value to every experience.
I am a much freer woman now: I have been coached, and am moving on my personal quest, to be the best that God intended me to be. I am grateful for Shirley and God bless her.”
Clinical Hypnotist, Center for Holistic Options, Inc. Fort Lauderdale, Florida
“Shirley, I can't thank you enough for our wonderful session. Immediately after talking with you, I could feel the shift in my energy. The following week my phone was ringing off the hook with clients wanting to schedule appointments with me. I highly recommend anyone, who is considering having you consult to them, to go for it. They won't be disappointed. Thanks again.”
Young Professional and Student Laurel, Maryland
“When I first started seeing Shirley I had no real direction, I just knew that I needed to sit & talk with her. Week by week she helped me uncover the reasons we had been brought together. She helped me to center myself using various techniques. I had so many confusing experiences in my life that she helped me to understand. Not only did she help me with gaining direction with my life, she was able to teach me how to keep myself centered and grounded in all types of situations. I was drawn to go to her because I had seen the effects she had on people's lives. She has this calming ability about her that makes the process of self-discovery easier. Which was great for me because I had so much anxiety surrounding the self-discovery process. Not only is Shirley a great life coach but also, she is a great teacher, always helping you to understand even the smallest of details in your life. I thank her from the bottom of my heart for helping me to transform my life.”
Account Manager Columbia, Maryland
“I met Shirley St Michael when I started servicing the Nutraceutical account at a busy Medical Center where she was Executive Director. The very first thing that stood out to me from day one was her positive interaction with the health professionals and administrative staff, but even more importantly, the undivided attention she gave to the patients. Shirley has the unique talent and ability to bring out the best in those she comes in contact with. People know she genuinely cares. She is always there with an open ear and warm words for those who need to reach out to her.
As in most every business, there are times of disagreement or tension that may arise during times of stress created in a workplace involving deadlines and ongoing change. Shirley’s ability to put out the fires shows her leadership in conflict resolution. She is the calming ambassador who brings people together.
To some, Shirley is a life coach, and to some she is a visionary with creative business ideas, and to all she works with, she is a person they wish to be around. I have a saying that the success of your business is directly proportionate to the success of the business relationships that you build. By that measure, Shirley St Michael is certainly a very successful human being.”
County Executive Howard County, Maryland
"The amazing journey I have taken since working with Shirley has been incredible! Her insight and ability to guide and direct has been invaluable. She is truly gifted and I consider myself blessed to have her assisting me on my journey to success!"
Senior Computer Analyst Maryland
“Shirley, thank you for your knowledge and leadership you gave in your program. I got a lot out of the seminar and think you did a great job of encouraging everyone to be aware of their emotional level, how it plays a role in their daily attitude and how we look at ourselves during a career change. Looking for work can be daunting even in the best of times. In the current environment it can really take a toll on one's sense of self-worth. Thank you again for the training.”
Founder of a woman’s career networking group Bethesda, Maryland
“Thanks again, Shirley, for your energetic and on point presentation. I do believe that everyone got something special out of the experiential discussions! It was a great group of women. Thank you again.”
Credentialed Mentor Coach Chicago, Illinois
“I had the opportunity to listen to Shirley coach on several occasions, and was impressed by her deep level of intuitive listening and her ability to help clients connect with their true motivations and values. Shirley sets a safe space for clients to explore their fears as well as their dreams, and skillfully helps them break through resistance in order to step forward into creating their tangible goals and action plans. She approaches her coaching with the highest level of professionalism and integrity.”
Unemployed Management Professional Northern Virginia
"After many months of job hunting, I found myself spinning around in circles. I was drifting from one day to the next without a realistic plan to land a new job. Shirley understood my frustration and helped me to get focused by setting specific goals on a daily basis. Through the course of our discussions, I also became aware of thought patterns that closed my mind to new and different possibilities. It was a valuable experience and I would recommend Shirley to anyone dealing with the daily humdrum of a job search."
Executive Secretary Albany, New York
“Thank you Shirley. Without you I would never have found me.
I think I have been trying to get in control of my life since I was ten. I was also searching to heal my body from a life threatening illness. I was forced to look inward. But, as much as I wanted to fix what was wrong I didn’t seem to make much progress. And then I met you.
Through your loving guidance I was able to see that all the answers I was searching for were inside of myself. All the things I wanted to be, I already was and the miracle I was so desperately seeking was me. By trusting my instincts, working through old pain and, most importantly, forgiving myself, I got my heart’s desire – mastery of my life. It still amazes me that I could change my life so completely in four short months.
Because of our work together I have reached a serenity and confidence that enables me to be truly happy and joyously embrace the rest of my life that God intended me to have. I am grateful for Shirley and God bless her.”