Leaders

Life is not a linear journey. Replete with boundless ups and downs, every individual’s life journey presents challenges in various forms. Some might be looking to make a long overdue life change, while others might be struggling with professional challenges; for others, the challenge might arise out of pursuing work-life balance, fulfilling relationships, or regaining lost self-esteem. Each of these scenarios can be turned into a positive experience by enlisting the help of an experienced professional who can handhold individuals in turning challenges into growth opportunities.

Transformation catalyst and life coach, Rini Adhikari does exactly this. An NLP Practitioner, Transactional Analyst, and ICF-accredited Emotional Intelligence Coach, Rini is committed to assisting individuals overcome obstacles and brings about a positive change in their lives.

Leveraging her two decades worth of rich and diverse work experience in a wide range of industries, roles, geographies, and multicultural environments, Rini is armed with deep insight into the challenges faced by individuals and professionals. She now works as a life coach with women and young adults at life's crossroads to help them reach their full potential. Rini’s success is driven by her belief that 'Every time you coach, you change the world, for self and the person you are creatively impacting'.

The Women entrepreneur team got an opportunity to learn more about the transformational coaching and its importance from Rini Adhikari. Here are choice excerpts from the conversation.

Introduce Us To Coach With Rini. Throw Some Light On How Your Coaching Helps Individuals Grow And Transform?

I am the founder and the transformational coach at coachwithRini. com. I am deeply passionate about people, their experiences, their conversations, and their stories; as a transformational Life and Career Coach, I work at a deeper level that creates lasting change.

As a life coach, I work with women and young adults at life's crossroads. Being a woman executive, I've struggled with issues my entire life, whether it's finding work-life balance, figuring out motherhood, discovering my dreams and aspirations, or discovering my life's purpose. For women, whether it's a career, a relationship, self-image, or simply the need to be heard, I focus on the things that need to change and assist them in creating a strategy and implementing it.

“As a transformation catalyst and coach, i assist you in overcoming obstacles and bringing about a positive change”

Working with Young Adults, I've discovered that issues that they face such as imposter syndrome, loneliness, a lack of self-worth, societal pressures due to the digital world, or simply not being able to have a face-to face conversation. Coaching can act as a safety net, providing focus and a sense of purpose.

The higher you go up the ladder, the lonelier you find yourself. As a career coach I work with executives who are trying to figure out their career direction, their motivation or skill sets whether they are in high-pressure jobs or figuring out the next steps in their lives or are just at crossroads in their lives.

Take Us Through Your Early Educational Journey And Prior Industry. What Are The Business Lessons That You Learned Through Your Industry Experience?

My ambition early-on in life was to have a successful corporate career. So pursued an engineering degree and then completed my MBA from IIM Ahmedabad. I began my career with the Times of India Group in Media and Marketing, which provided me with a great deal of flexibility in terms of learning and working across the organization's various businesses.

I moved to Hong Kong owing to my partner’s relocation. There I began volunteering with a couple of NGOs. But, my dream of having a corporate career brought me to JP Morgan. However, my marketing career took off with Microsoft Digital Advertising, where I was responsible for their B2B business in APAC. I was presented with an opportunity by a client, which led to my debut in the world of entrepreneurship. I got the first taste of entrepreneurship when I joined an early-stage digital consulting firm where I was in charge of everything, including client acquisition, client service, hiring, training and developing Social Media & Digital strategies. I was updating my digital abilities at the same time.

Some important business lessons I learned through this journey, that I now live by are to be fearless, kind, and honest in all of your relationships and that there is no substitute for hard work. Continue to learn, pay attention to your instincts, and take a risk. Ask for help when you need it, whether it's from family, friends, or strangers.

What Prompted You To Shift Gears And Foray Into The Field Of Transformational Coaching?

Throughout my life and professional career, I have always followed my instincts and changed my career path when I felt I wasn't learning, wasn't being challenged, felt stuck in a rut, or when my goals changed. I was freelancing as a Digital & Social Media Strategist and was immersed in my pursuits of creative discovery, having taken up Pottery, Mahjong, and baking when I experienced a personal tragedy. The loss of a loved one was extremely difficult for me. Sessions with a Life Coach gave me a new direction and hope at this point in my life. Coaching has proven to be extremely effective in changing people's lives. It was then that I decided to use this as a sign to assist people in becoming their best selves. We can't change the past, but we can shape the future.

What Are Some Of The Most Pressing Challenges That You Face As An Entrepreneur? How Do You Overcome Them? What Have Been The Most Significant Milestones That You Have Achieved So Far In Your Professional Journey?

Entrepreneurship as a sole proprietor can be a lonely and uncertain path. When you're making business decisions on your own, you don't have objective feedback, and you're only accountable to yourself, it's easy to second-guess yourself and overthink decisions, which causes delays.

Clarity of objective, conviction, establishing a network and surrounding myself with my tribe all aid in overcoming the challenge. On bad days, instead of focusing on the end goal, focus on the next steps ahead, don't be too hard on yourself, and sometimes just letting go helps.

My career has been very rich and diverse and has aided me in my journey so far. I've had the good fortune to work in various industries, roles, geographies, and multicultural environments.

I received a gold medal in engineering for my project, and I have worked with the Times of India group to establish businesses such as Times Music, Planet M, Brand Equity Quiz, ET Awards, and others. I also worked with Microsoft as an APAC lead in a B2B role. In my role as an early-stage start-up partner, I established a digital consultancy, hiring, training, landing my first client, and successfully running it, and I have volunteered with an NGO for over 12 years. The driving force behind all of this is the willingness to constantly learn, take risks, and listen to your inner Voice.

What Would You Advise To Women Aspiring To Become Business Leaders And Entrepreneurs?

I would urge women to rely on their gut instincts and follow their heart. However, doing requisite research is equally important before taking any crucial decisions. It is important to keep your mind and heart in sync. Failure and success are strongly intertwined, and it is essential to stay focused on the end goal and persevere. Seek assistance and guidance whenever you need it, and you will find people who want you to succeed.

Rini Adhikari, Founder, Coach With Rini

Rini is armed with deep insight into the challenges faced by individuals and professionals. She now works as a life coach with women and young adults at life's crossroads to help them reach their full potential. Rini’s success is driven by her belief that "Every time you coach, you change the world".