Even Arjuna would not have become the greatest archer on earth if Guru Dronacharya had not coached him. Similarly, Arjuna should not have ever fought in the greatest battle of ten kings called Mahabharata if not for the timeless wisdom and eternal guidance of Lord Krishna.
A guide is as essential in one’s personal and professional life as a breath of fresh air to the one suffocating and drowning in chaotic and turbulent waters of a lifetime. A coach is that person who makes you believe in your own abilities and empowers you to reach your true potential. To attain the maximum possibility of your proficiency, you need to identify what is important and what is not, and this is where a veteran coach helps you for sure.
With the valuable insights that a coach has acquired to mentor you, you will be able to see things more clearly and make you realize which area needs more improvement and what your strengths and weaknesses are. By effectively working on it, you can definitely reach the successful milestones you ever dreamed of in your personal as well as professional life.
A prolific and genuine life coach, leadership coach and emotional intelligence practitioner as compassionate as Zarina Poonawalla, a true discoverer of innate human potential through ABBZOH Expertise Unique and The Life Manifesto.
In an awe-inspiring conversation with Insights Success for its special edition of ‘India’s 40 under 40 Brightest Business Leaders’, Zarina, Founder and CEO of ABBZOH Expertise Unique, narrated her mesmerizing tale.
Now, let us get entranced with Zarina!
Please tell us the ABBZOH Expertise Unique’s saga since its inception.
I always say this when asked, and it always stands true – ‘I did not choose my profession; my profession chose me.’
I entered this training industry at 19, worked at CRISIL and went on to be associated with training ever since. While studying in Australia, I also had a stint selling American Express Credit Cards there, and in that sales job working with people and teams, I seemed to become more and more certain of my calling. People were my calling; helping individuals find their potential and watch them grow into who they truly want to be was just so fascinating and fulfilling.
When I came back to India, I was always inclined toward this industry, but frankly, the idea of coaching was very alien at the time, especially in India. I worked in training for a while under a great boss and mentor. When I started, coaching was not easy. There was a sense of ego and power play because successful people did not think they needed help doing anymore. People who didn’t consider themselves successful did not feel that being coached was an investment rather a waste of time and money.
But this challenge was one I was ready to accept and overcome. I landed clients eager to improve and prepared to invest in themselves, and in this digital marketing era, I am proud to say 80% of my business started and grew on referrals, and word of mouth. I kept learning, growing, and studying- I learnt Intelligent Leadership and was coached by Steve Job’s coach John Mattone.Â
I have studied Emotional Intelligence, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy and Neuro-Linguistics in my coaching journey and I am learning sleep science. Of course, now the industry has crossed billions of dollars, and Coaching has become a sought-after industry for many aspiring coaches, especially since the pandemic. I am just truly privileged to be part of this industry for over 15 years.
What was your inspiration behind venturing into the business arena?
The inspiration was simple. I noticed people were desperate to run their businesses in a better way. They wished to acquire powerful leadership acumen, healthy relationships, and, in that way, fulfilling their lives. But some were afraid to seek help, while others didn’t know where and how to start. My inspiration truly came from these people and the urge to be that bridge between where they are and where they want to be. People inspired me to venture into this business arena.
What were the initial challenges you had to surmount to ensure ABBZOH Expertise Unique’s success rate reached greater heights?
The first challenge was my age; I started coaching at 24. And I had been judged a lot based on my age. Â People would think what a young coach can provide, whether she will be mature or wise enough, whether she will be unbiased and objective, and whether she has the knowledge of relationships and leadership, for that matter life itself to the level to understand and guide. But these doubts always vanished after our first consult or session.
Another challenge was people being coached because they wanted to do better and be better, not because something was essentially wrong with them. This was a stigma, and there was no clear understanding between coaching, therapy, and counselling.
Sometimes, I had to explain the difference and prepare them for a less clinical approach. Also, since coaching was lesser-known, people shared their lives fully and honestly, whether it was about their company’s financial conditions, leadership status or a family’s relationship status. It wasn’t easy and, at the same time, a bold step for them to share and trust.
Sometimes I had some clients with a sense of power play in them. Bigger fishes or overbearers by nature who took time to open up to the idea as their egos would get the better of them. But it was all just a matter of time before they and I got past this hurdle and landed on common rooted grounds. The challenge was to not take their high handedness personally and to not get offended. So plenty of lessons and learning for me. Being patient and dealing with clients calmly has helped me overcome these challenges. I, too, have constantly been learning in the process. Today, some of the ego-driven clients from the past are the humblest most positively transfromed and also my biggest cheerleaders.
What professional values and qualities do you think your clients value in you and your company the most?
That’s a question best asked to them. But I would like to believe that it is my emotional intelligence, integrity, perspective, and the ability to help them make decisions or steer in directions they wish to with more clarity. These are the values I think they value in my company and me the most.
What USPs highlight ABBZOH Expertise Unique’s uniqueness in the industry?
What highlights my brand is credibility, accountability and rapport building, and the human connection with clients.Â
As an experienced professional, what would you like to advise the budding aspirants willing to enter the business world?
Do not enter this business for fast money or if you want to be busy with a side hustle. You are responsible for people’s lives more than you can imagine. How you say, how, and why you say it helps them assess and evaluate their lives. When they seek guidance from you and make you part of their life and leadership journey, they show that they trust you completely. Never breach that trust. Be impeccable, trustworthy and learn emotional intelligence if you are keen on this business.Â
How do you envision ABBZOH Expertise Unique’s operations with the emerging technologies and automated tools that are revolutionizing the business world by enabling innovations?
Oh, I am sure you would agree that technology is a friend or a foe depending on how you decide to use it. You can either build with it or destroy with it. In general, automated tools have been a blessing for our industry. I have launched my app ‘The Life Manifesto, with content for all recorded and live. The process is underway and will be live very soon.
I have been running a successful podcast available across all platforms like The Empowering Series and Monday Mantras. Now, ‘The Life Manifesto is on IVM podcasts. It is also available on all audio platforms like Spotify, Apple podcast, Jio Saavn etc. So, it is helping me reach out to thousands across the globe, with an increasing list of clients amongst them. Additionally, technology has been a game-changer. Since the pandemic, I took time to adapt. However, my collaboration with apps and brands worldwide helped me conduct over 500 live sessions, streams, and workshops.
If you become too reliant on it, technology might cripple you. Thus, I have been using it as much as I need it. That way, it has been miraculous in the coaching and learning industry. And along with the App, Podcasts and Live Sessions, innovation and creative thinking play an immense role. So, I am always working on that.
