Meet Barbara Somma

Effective leadership styles“Coaching” in the business sense wasn’t even a recognized profession when I originally began my career 35 years ago. But it turns out I was doing it intuitively along the way, with or without the title.

I was no stranger to career development and transitions, even though the entire time my home was the pharmaceutical industry - it’s a wide field and I encountered much change along the way. As I moved up through R&D, international product launches and DTC advertising initiatives, I realized I had a knack for identifying and developing high potential talent.

Those “coaching” skills I was using gained me a reputation for being able to establish a work environment which fostered achievement and innovation.

I stopped directing my staff on what to do when I was group director of a well integrated business analytics group, and instead began to coach them, encouraging them to look at challenges in new ways and think creatively.

Suddenly, their performance levels increased, resulting in substantial raises and bonuses and clarity of career choices .Some of the associates began to apply our discussions at home, improving their overall quality of life. As people increased their own skills and capacity, the entire business group under me began to flourish. Ultimately I learned to translate these experiences into a meaningful frame work for associate and executive development.

That’s what I want to offer you in our coaching relationship.

In addition to these skills I bring many benefits from professional training obtained in the coaching industry. I am happy to say that I was among the first 7 certified graduates of CoachU’s Core Essentials Program (CECG).

I also feel that offering my clients validated assessment tools is of tremendous value. I have been trained and qualified to administer the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI), enabling me to offer a variety of assessments. These are invaluable tools to aid in your career development and leadership of others.

If I can use these skills and resources to be of service to you in your career, I look forward to speaking with about a coaching relationship!

Professional Background

  • Graduate, Coach U – Core Essentials Program (CECG – July 2006)
  • MBA, Fairleigh Dickinson University, Teaneck, New Jersey (October 1985)
  • BA, Rutgers University, Newark, New Jersey (June 1969)
  • Member National Honors Business Association - Delta Mu Delta

Affiliations

  • International Coach Federation (ICF) 2004-present
  • Greater Sarasota Coaches Alliance (GSCA) 2004 – present: Board Member
  • The Association for Psychological Type International (APTi)
  • Center for Creative Leadership