Brighter, Better and More Beautiful

I am not sure if I will ever get a chance again to chat with someone as bright and brilliant as my last guest, Executive Coach, Trainer and Consultant, Mrs. Elizabeth Hoban of the USA.

In the four or so odd years that she has lived in, and loved the Philippines with gusto and authenticity, she has helped support a local outreach program, trained and improved the effectiveness of thousands of executives in the corporate world and has also brought about major turnarounds for senior level executives through personal and executive coaching.

During and after typhoon “Ondoy,” she with her teammates from Reach Philippines not just helped the needy with food and medicines but also held hands of the victims during their most traumatic moments. Her view towards those that suffer and those that are considered “have-nots,” was simplistic, easy and matter-of-fact. It was like…”if there is a need and I have the resources then I will fill that need and I will come from a mindset of absolute abundance. I will have no expectations and not wish for any kind of applause.” Simply stated, if the world needs it and I have the resources to give then I will give. Period!

This wasn’t just true for her. She shared stories of how her parents and grandparents back home in Virginia, Arizona and Arkansas lived and thrived in a culture of sharing, giving and adding value to the world that surrounded them then and surrounds her and her children now in the Philippines.

At a personal level, Mrs. Elizabeth Hoban also showed her bias towards developing individuals through her one-on-one life and executive coaching. She claimed to rely on the method of Dr. David Cooperrider’s “Appreciative Inquiry,” to tap into the goodness of individuals and organizations and then follow a structured plan for the growth and development of existing strengths and synergies. She claimed her efforts turn individuals and organizations into systems which are brighter, better and more beautiful than before.

She and her family are migrating to Saudi Arabia soon but plan to come back to the Philippines someday. When asked if she would anything to be different in the Philippines when she gets back, she quickly replied, “Nothing! It is bright and beautiful as it is right now!”

Raju Mandhyan, Host & Producer, Expat Insights