Ingrid Bergmann & Associates

From very early on in our working relationship Ingrid has held my complete trust. She is very clear about defining the nature and limits of her role as a coach and adheres to those parameters. While she provides examples of how other managers approach particular problems, she never describes the situations in a way that identifies the client or their fields of work. Ingrid is extremely astute and diplomatic – when she challenges me to look at an issue in a different way her approach is always constructive and sensitive. As a result, I am encouraged to be completely open in our discussions.

Like a lot of senior managers, I work in a busy, unpredictable environment with many competing demands. It is easy to feel carried along by events, rather than feeling that one is retaining a strategic focus and is moving the organization along its path in a deliberate way. Ingrid provides a safe environment where I can, in essence, have a strategic conversation with myself. She reflects back what I’m saying, relates it to what I have said in the past, and helps me sort out whether the actions I’m taking are assisting me to meet my strategic and/or personal goals.

Since becoming one of Ingrid’s clients, I have gained more confidence in my ability to lead a large organization. I find that I am retaining a healthier perspective on issues that drive my work life. I have set new goals for self-improvement, both at work and at home.

Deputy Minister
Government of British Columbia

One of the first things that struck me about [Ingrid’s] approach, and which characterizes her effectiveness, was that type of questions she asked. Her questions made it very clear she not only heard the points I made, but understood their deeper implications. Her questions made me think deeply about my own approach and consideration of different options. While Ingrid doesn’t so much suggest alternatives – which was what I had found irritating about other coaches – she does cause me to consider how I might change my own perspective and outlook in order to become more effective. She helped me chart a course through some difficult times in my professional life and was instrumental in allowing me to understand and develop and important aspect of my management style.

Deputy Minister
Government of British Columbia

Ingrid gave constructive executive feedback in a safe environment conducive to change that allowed acceptance and encouraged appropriate personal reflection, and self-awareness.

Ingrid has a confident business style that is complemented by her provincial government knowledge. She has a unique ability to elevate the client’s thought process and actions to a strategic outlook. The focus of coaching sessions is always directed toward both the short term needs and the ultimate vision and value of the client.

As a result of the value based work I have done with Ingrid, I have increased my personal awareness, leadership effectiveness and gained greater self confidence in my abilities to empower and inspire teams.

Executive Director
Government of British Columbia

As my coach, Ingrid was instrumental in helping me maintain perspective and balance which improved my performance as I moved in to a General Manager role running the West Coast for a large global management consulting firm. She would offer a true and clear (but rarely given) perspective to me about my executive performance with clarity of thought that was concise, relevant and poignant. I can say without a doubt that my personal and professional growth has been profoundly positively impacted by these thoughts, observations and guidance.

CEO
Technology Company

Ingrid assuredly enhanced my performance and productivity as a leader, and also helped me to acquire different perspectives on patience, resilience, tolerance for ambiguity and risk. Most of all, she continuously inspired me to keep believing in myself and the value of my contribution – even during extremely challenging times for my team and I.

Former Executive Director
Government of British Columbia

I found the review and coaching services that Ingrid provided to be of the highest calibre. I can also vouch for her high integrity. She treats her conversation with her clients with the utmost confidentiality.

Of course, one question is did the services make a difference? For me, the [360] review process and the coaching services that followed did make a difference. There were specific incidents – particularly personnel issues – where the coaching services caused me to do the right but hard thing.

Ingrid does not merely go through the motions as a coach. She listens intently and has the ability to discern the true issues that are affecting professional direction and performance. She has the ability to ask you provocative questions that cause you to make your own self-discovery into issues that are impeding your development. She quickly builds a high level of trust with you as she help guide you to places that you should go and, perhaps, already know you should go but don’t.

Former Deputy Minister
Government of British Columbia

Ingrid is able to provide perspective, using her business and government background to set context, adding her insights on aspects of emotional intelligence and provides both a reflective place to explore emergent issues as well as sound counsel on aspect of both leadership and management.

I have absolute confidence in Ingrid and her ability to deliver value….where a plan of action with tangible outcomes is required.

Deputy Minister
Government of British Columbia

Ingrid understands the work of senior executives and has the ability to engage them in meaningful conversation. She is candid and always respectful. She creates an environment of trust and her integrity is never in question. She has a passion for the quality of service she provides and genuinely cares for her clients and their success.

Director
Government of British Columbia