Today we’d like to introduce you to Mike Sojka.
Hi Mike, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
A Journey in Coaching: Experiences, Integrity, and Whole Person Growth
Introduction: Charting My Path in Coaching
Embarking on a coaching journey has been both rewarding and enlightening. Over the years, I’ve learned that coaching is more than just guiding someone—it’s about empowering them to grow as a whole person. Here, I share how my career unfolded, the lessons learned, and the clear distinction between coaching and mentoring, using real stories to illustrate the impact coaching can have.
My Coaching Career: Beginnings and Early Lessons
My coaching career began in 2000 when I began coaching a person from my own organization. For nine months, we worked together but ultimately realized that true vulnerability and trust—the foundation of coaching—can be difficult when your coach is also your supervisor. This experience taught me that coaching relationships thrive on openness, which is often hindered when organizational lines blur that from developing. Too often, internal “coaches” are simply mentors, not certified coaches, focusing on boosting productivity rather than personal growth. If you do a google search on the benefits of internal verses external coaching there will be a vast difference in the results. Incestual coaching is definitely less productive. Building on these early lessons, I sought to deepen my expertise and professional integrity in coaching others.
Challenges in Certification: Navigating the Coaching Industry
As I continued coaching, it became clear that formal certification was essential. I wanted to help clients grow in all areas of their lives, not just at work. Today, the industry is flooded with “certified” coaches—some obtain credentials for little money and minimal time, sometimes as quickly as a weekend or even less. This undermines the profession and confuses those seeking real guidance. My own certification took two years and $5,000, aligned with the rigorous standards of the International Coaching Federation (ICF), a widely respected benchmark. The difference between legitimate training and quick fixes is stark, and I believe higher standards protect clients and the industry’s reputation. With certification behind me, I next focused on establishing my own practice—and expanding my impact on my clients.
Building a Coaching Team: Establishing Leadership Innovations, LLC
About eleven years ago, I founded Leadership Innovations, LLC. Our team consists of four coaches, each bringing unique perspectives to a diverse range of clients—from pastors and church planters to business owners, bankers, educators, and family business leaders. Having multiple coaches allows us to match clients with someone who fits their style and needs. For example, one client felt disconnected in their initial sessions, but after switching to another coach within our team, their progress accelerated. This flexibility in coaching fosters deeper connections and greater results.
Growth and Scope of Coaching: Embracing a Holistic Approach
Over the past decade, coaching has exploded in popularity, spanning business, fitness, health, and more. I was once invited by Forbes Magazine to join their coaching consortium, which would have enabled me to write articles and connect internationally. Though I declined at the time, the experience highlighted how coaching is often segmented by specialty. I believe coaching the whole person—success at work shouldn’t come at the expense of one’s personal life. One of my clients, for instance, improved their business performance dramatically, but our focus on balance also helped strengthen their relationships at home, illustrating how coaching impacts every facet of life. As coaching grew in popularity, so did the importance of a client choosing the right coach.
Tips for Choosing a Coach: Practical Advice for Coaching Seekers
If you’re considering hiring a coach, here are some practical tips:
• Look for legitimate certification (preferably with recognized organizations like ICF).
• Choose someone who is themselves coached—ongoing growth matters.
• Experience counts; ideally, find someone with at least 5–10 years in the field.
• Ensure their business is insured and their rates are within the market range.
• Ask if they provide monthly coaching reports and offer value-added services, such as email access, phone calls, document reviews, AI-generated session summaries, or helpful daily texts.
• Consider session frequency and length; we typically coach clients monthly for 60–70 minutes per session.
Defining Coaching vs. Mentoring: A Clear Comparison
You may be wondering, “What is Coaching”? The following will provide you with some ideas. The following statements are a culmination of books, articles, podcasts, seminars and my own personal experiences. The ICF (International Coaching Federation) defines coaching as “partnering in a thought-provoking and creative process to maximize personal and professional potential.” Coaching is not teaching at all; it is about creating the conditions for learning and growing. The Coachee acquires facts and develops new skills and behaviors, not by being told or taught but by discovering from within, stimulated by coaching. Coaching and mentoring are often confused but are fundamentally different. Coaching is a partnership that fosters self-discovery and growth, focusing on future possibilities. Mentoring typically involves an experienced person sharing knowledge to guide someone’s development, often with an agenda rooted in organizational goals. Imagine a manager helping an employee learn new work processes—that’s mentoring. In contrast, a coach helps the employee uncover their own strengths and motivations, supporting personal and professional goals, not just company objectives. Coaching is not about teaching or advising; it’s about facilitating meaningful change. The coach acts as a sounding board, raising awareness and supporting the client’s accountability, without judgment or blame.
Client Success Story: Growth Through Coaching
One of my most memorable clients was a business leader struggling to balance work and family. Initially, our sessions focused on career goals, but as trust developed, we explored personal challenges. Over twelve months, this client not only grew revenue but also rebuilt family relationships and developed healthier habits. At the end of our engagement, they shared, “Our coaching sessions were the best hour of my month.” Seeing clients achieve lasting growth—professionally and personally—is why I coach. In fact Other Endorsements the progress that our clients make is the whole reason you do coach others. I strongly believe that all of us need assistance from someone in our life to get to the next level.
Reflections and Motivation: Why Coaching Matters
With over twenty-six years in coaching, I’ve witnessed firsthand the transformative impact it can have. While age brings its own challenges, my experience adds tremendous value to clients. Knowing that a client looks forward to our sessions keeps me motivated. Ultimately, coaching is about helping others reach the next level in all areas of life. Investing in yourself through coaching could be one of the most life-changing decisions you ever make. Whether you’re seeking clarity, growth, or balance, coaching offers a path forward. I encourage you to invest in yourself—and experience the difference a thoughtful, professional coach can make.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
A lot of this is explained in the article I sent. It does take a while to gain traction to the point where almost all of my business comes from referrals. That is what every business owner would desire. There are always more challenging clients at first but as you gain experience you determine who is coachable and who isn’t. You do not want to take an uncoachable person that would be a waste of their time and money.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Most of this is once again included in the article I sent. I coach high end leaders (mostly one on one, I do however do some group coaching from time to time) using Zoom. I am an agenda coach and each of my clients as a customized agenda in One Note. I am known for coaching the whole person that could entail physical, emotional, spiritual, business, home life, marriage, raising kids, vision, core values, development of positive habits, work life balance, etc. What sets me apart is probably 26 years of coaching I was coaching and using Zoom before they were cool. Proud of, check out our endorsement page on our website, watching people change their behavior is AMAZING. I want them to understand more about coaching not necessarily about our brand and services. This industry in the last 15 years as become all about making money and at times not assisting the client very much.
Do you have recommendations for books, apps, blogs, etc?
Apps Zoom, Fathom AI, books on coaching, leadership books, Bible, No favorite podcasts come to mind.
Pricing:
- $200 for a one-on-one session
- $225.00 for a one-on one session at the executive level
- $250 for a group coaching session
Contact Info:
- Website: http://www.leadinnovate.com/
- Facebook: https://business.facebook.com/latest/home?asset_id=1575577462681148
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikesojka/
