Today we’d like to introduce you to Kimberly Collins.
Hi Kimberly, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I first started my career coaching singers privately after earning my Master’s in music at the University of Minnesota. Though I loved working with my students and found a lot of joy helping them achieve their goals musically, I decided to close my studio to help start an orthodontic clinic from scratch as the CFO/COO. When we first started the clinic, I did everything that didn’t require a Doctorate of Dental Surgery–finance, payroll, taxes, insurance, scheduling, training, hiring, firing, and treatment coordinating. After about 6 years in this position, I found myself experiencing a lot of physical and emotional burnout and I was introduced to the Enneagram (a personality framework), which helped me uncover areas my thinking patterns and unconscious habits were leading to my feelings of burnout. I started applying what I was learning and decided to get certified in the Enneagram and started using it with training and coaching my staff. I wrote a book about the Enneagram in the workplace, became a certified coach through the ICF and now I coach leaders and teams on how improving their self-awareness and social-awareness (through the Enneagram or not) can help improve their harmony, connection, and productivity in their teams and lives.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
I would not say that the road has been smooth, but I also wouldn’t change the experiences I have had because they have all informed how I show up as a coach and consultant now. Having multiple career changes, including starting multiple businesses from scratch, has required tremendous growth from me personally and professionally which has only led to me having a greater ability to connect with my clients. In fact, many of my struggles with learning how to manage and coach team members informed my focus now on coaching and consulting full time.
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?
I started Enneagram Reflections after personally benefiting from using the Enneagram as a way of managing my own burnout and managing people as a business owner. I found that when I improved my self-awareness and social-awareness, I was able to make better decisions, resolve conflict faster, and communicate more effectively which just improved my relationships in and out of the workplace. Now in my company, I offer one-on-one coaching for leaders and workshops that are geared toward improving awareness and overall emotional intelligence so that workplaces can experience these benefits as well.
Can you tell us more about what you were like growing up?
I grew up as the middle child with two sisters and I think I tried to embody the classic middle child peace-keeping attitude by keeping things light and funny. I was always up for a joke, game, or goofy skit with my sisters and friends. If I wasn’t playing with friends, I was usually singing or doing something musical, which inspired my two scientifically-minded parents to explore voice lessons and piano lessons for me and my sisters at a young age.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.enneagramreflections.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/enneagramreflections/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/enneagramreflections
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kimberly-collins-53884626/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@EnneagramReflections
