After her own transformative journey from burnout to enlightenment, Melanie Greenhalgh is leading other women in the Canberra community to redefine success in their own terms, to achieve fulfillment, and to finally find work-life balance. Collective Wisdom Coaching is a boutique practice with a hyperfocus on holistic, client-led care.

Tell us about your journey in business.

I have worked in the human services sector for over 27 years serving vulnerable members of our Canberra community. They say the body whispers and then it screams, and in 2021, I found my mind and body screaming as I was experiencing all the symptoms of burnout. Collective Wisdom Coaching began as a side hustle, helping women I knew who were exploring how to achieve better work-life balance, seeking guidance on boosting their self-confidence, understanding what purpose and fulfillment really meant for them and supporting them through some of life’s tricky transitions. They responded positively and I found a new level of personal energy and connection. I finally knew what I wanted to be when I grew up – a woman in business serving the community.

What tactics have you found most effective for networking?

Networking has been one of the strongest influences for developing Collective Wisdom Coaching’s brand and reputation. Networking became most effective for me when I showed up consistently and put effort into getting to know others, learning more about what they do and why they do it. I also make a point of following up on every business card I receive. Growing my network means when a client needs a different service, there is a support or product that I can confidently refer them to.

What are some important qualities women require to excel in their careers?

Believing in yourself, your decisions, and your vision will allow you to hold influence within your business, organisation or community. Being able to understand and manage emotions, both your own and others, has been a critical aspect of my leadership development. Another skill that we all require is being financially fit; understanding personal and organisational finances is important for decision-making and planning. Women in particular may find themselves playing ‘catch up’ in learning about investing and financial planning, but it’s important as the key to financial independence.

How do you approach goal setting to achieve long-term success?

Being a neuroscience nerd and needing to understand the evidence, when I set goals, I spend time checking in with the motivational and emotional aspects of the goal, why it’s important to me and why do I want it now. The science tells us that goals must be meaningful, personally relevant and enjoyable to you. As soon as I’ve defined the goals, I make sure the first milestone is super easy for me to achieve. They call this the Incremental Illusion and I use it because nothing is more motivating and positively reinforcing than progress!

What do you see as the most significant trends in your industry in the coming years?

The most significant trend in my line of coaching is women defining success on their own terms. Society often imposes rigid standards and expectations. True success is deeply personal, shaped by our individual passions, values, and dreams. By unpacking and redefining success, women can break free from the limiting effects of external judgments. Inspired by reflection during the pandemic, many women are working to shift from a place of success exhaustion (successful on paper but exhausted in real life) to success alignment where they get to pursue opportunities that align with their authentic selves and bring fulfillment and purpose. The impact is a global trend that will reshape the world’s perspective on what it means to be truly successful.

To find out more about Collective Wisdom Coaching and Consulting, contact Melanie Greenhalgh via [email protected] or call 0418 493 730.