Interview with Karen Sigalas, A Leading Reputation and Leadership Coach

With over two decades of experience, Karen Sigalas is a Reputation and Leadership Coach who empowers professionals to build influential careers where their voices are heard and their contributions recognised. Karen has a proven track record of helping clients refine their influencing skills, enabling them to navigate complex professional landscapes and achieve the respect and advancement they deserve.

Her approach is grounded in years of delivering high-impact training sessions to Tier 1 financial institutions, blending insights from science, psychology, and neuroscience. This unique expertise allows Karen to offer strategies that are both evidence-based and tailored to the real-world challenges faced by ambitious professionals.

Clients appreciate Karen’s ability to simplify complex concepts into practical tools, guiding them to strengthen their leadership presence and achieve their career goals with confidence. Her coaching fosters a balance between professional ambition and personal well-being, helping clients make meaningful progress without sacrificing what matters most.

Whether you’re aiming to enhance your leadership presence or secure a well-earned promotion, Karen’s depth of experience and genuine passion for her clients’ success make her an inspiring partner in their journey to the next level.

 

1. What inspired you to become a personal reputation and leadership coach?

Coaching became my silver lining after I was made redundant during the mass layoffs in 2001. At that time, I felt like I was in a black hole. A friend recommended What Colour Is Your Parachute? and I worked through it like a daily job. It was during that period that I discovered coaching was my true calling. I trained at the Coaches Training Institute, which is grounded in science and psychology, and it became clear that coaching was more than a job—it was my purpose.

I started my coaching practice while still working as a consultant, dedicating evenings and weekends to building my practice. But I quickly realised that coaching fuelled me in a way consulting never could. It wasn’t just a career shift; it was the moment I realised I was meant to help people navigate life’s toughest transitions and reach their full potential. That sense of fulfilment and purpose drives me every day. I have an unwavering belief that everyone deserves a coach, and I’m passionate about making that a reality.

 

2. What’s been the most significant moment or milestone in your professional journey that has led to where you are today?

A turning point for me was moving from having no clients to a full practice and being featured in magazines and on TV. It wasn’t the media attention that mattered most; it was the joy and sense of purpose I felt when coaching. I remember one client, who came to me recommended by a friend, saying, “Karen, I don’t know if coaching is for me, but I’ll give it a shot because you’ve come highly recommended.” Nine months later, he said to me, “You are an angel sent from God to make my life work.”

That moment was powerful - not just because of the words, but because it confirmed for me that the right coaching relationship can truly change lives. It reinforced my belief that coaching is about helping people discover their potential and achieve what they thought was out of reach.

 

3. How do you stay focused and at the top of your own game?

Staying at the top of my game is something I take seriously. First and foremost, I have my own coach who guides me, challenges me, and holds up a mirror so I can see my blind spots. It’s critical for my growth. I’m also committed to lifelong learning, staying updated with the latest research in psychology, neuroscience, and leadership development.

I often ask my clients, “What value do I bring? What would you like to see more of?” - because I know that feedback is a cornerstone of growth. I also enjoy listening to podcasts like Mel Robbins’ and Diary of a CEO with Stephen Bartlett. These help me stay inspired and give me new perspectives that I can bring into my coaching practice.

 

4. What role do you believe risk-taking plays in achieving success?

Risk-taking is fundamental to growth. Many of my clients, especially those who are perfectionists, get caught up in planning every detail - analysing the terrain, the weather, everything, like a mountaineer who is studying every part of the mountain before taking the first step. But real progress happens when you start the climb. The person who’s willing to take that initial step, learning and adjusting as they go, reaches the peak faster than the one who overthinks every move.

If you’re not taking risks, it’s usually because you don’t feel psychologically safe, and that’s where coaching comes in - helping you reframe failure as a learning opportunity. It’s about shifting the mindset from “What if I fail?” to “What can I learn from this?” When you make that shift, the possibilities become limitless. Embracing this mindset not only helps in achieving goals but also drives innovation and creativity in professional settings.

 

5. When it comes to elevating executive leadership, what is your communication philosophy, and how do you use this to inspire and motivate those around you?

As a leader, the most important thing you can ever do is create an environment of psychological safety. That is the number one indicator of high-performing teams. Psychological safety is about creating an environment of growth and learning where, when mistakes happen, it’s not about blame and shame but about asking, “What can we learn from this?” It’s so key. If people feel safe, they will take calculated risks that lead to innovation and a competitive edge, knowing that there’s no failure - only learning. When a team is focused on learning, it’s constantly growing, excelling, and pushing boundaries.

I also focus on compassion and empathy in communication. It’s about understanding what drives people’s minds and hearts, and meeting them there. It means checking in genuinely on how people are doing - not just offering gym memberships or fruit at work, but having real conversations about mental well-being. It’s about making expectations clear, taking what’s implicit and making it explicit, so that everyone is on the same page and knows what success looks like.

 

6. Technology is changing the game in many sectors, but how are you leveraging technology to enhance your approach?

Technology has changed the way I connect with my clients, starting with the shift to platforms like Teams. Before the pandemic, most of my coaching sessions were either in person or over the phone. But with Teams, I can see my clients face-to-face no matter where they are in the world, which deepens our connection. Now, I use AI to support my sessions. With my clients’ permission, I use AI tools to summarise the key themes of our conversations so they have a backup. It’s not meant to replace their notes or mine - I find our notes often capture more nuance, but it provides an extra layer of support to ensure that nothing gets lost.

I’m also exploring how AI can help with organising my files, managing emails, and keeping track of client details. It’s about using technology to handle the administrative side so I can focus more on what I do best: guiding clients through meaningful transformations.

 

7. Can you share a specific setback in your career, and how you utilised that experience to learn and grow?

I’m not sure if this is a setback as such, but it’s something that did take me aback, and if it happened today, I would handle it differently. Early in my career, I had just finished an influencing skills session at a financial institution and was taking a black cab back. The driver asked me what I did for a living, so I explained that I coach professionals, giving them the tools and techniques they need to achieve their goals, particularly in influencing others. He looked at me and said, “You’re far too young and pretty to be doing that.”

At the time, I laughed it off—sometimes, it’s easier to assume positive intent and not take things too personally. But I remember feeling caught off guard by his assumption that my appearance didn’t align with the serious work I was doing. Today, I’d handle it differently. I would invite him into a conversation with a question like, “That's interesting, what makes you say that?” It’s about turning a moment of surprise into an opportunity for understanding.

This experience has since become a teaching point in my coaching. It’s about recognising that while you can’t control others' assumptions, you can always control how you respond. I now encourage my clients to use similar moments as opportunities to challenge assumptions gracefully and to see them as a chance for deeper understanding and connection.

 

8. As a high-achiever performance coach, you work with many successful individuals who no doubt face challenges in balancing work and personal life. But how do you personally manage this balance, and what strategies do you use to prevent burnout?

For me, work-life fitness is a constant work in progress. It’s about finding a balance that shifts over time. There are moments when we operate on autopilot, making choices unconsciously, and that’s where burnout can creep in. But when we bring these decisions into our conscious awareness, we regain control. I ask myself, “If I’m saying yes to this, what am I saying no to?” It’s a reminder to make deliberate choices that keep me energised and engaged.

When I go on holiday, I completely disconnect from work—I don’t check emails, and I don’t take calls. My out-of-office message is usually something lighthearted, like, “I’m somewhere on a beach enjoying the sun, and I’ll get back to you as soon as I’m back.” Of course, there are always exceptions for emergencies, but it’s about setting that expectation upfront.

I also pay close attention to the warning signs when things get out of balance. Am I being short-tempered with my kids? Have I stopped making time for my morning walks or catching up with friends? Recognising these signs helps me to consciously bring things back into alignment and maintain the energy I need for both my work and personal life.

 

9. For those aspiring to follow in your footsteps, are there any key principles or lessons you wish you had known when starting your journey as a leadership coach?

For those looking to become coaches, I’d say a few things. First, choose a training programme that truly resonates with you. For me, that was the Coaches Training Institute—it grounded me in science and psychology, and it gave me a solid foundation. Don’t rush into certification right away. I recommend coaching for a few years before getting certified, as I did. This way, you can bring a wealth of client experiences into the certification process, which sharpens your skills and deepens your understanding.

Another key lesson is not to compare your journey to others—you’ll start with zero clients, like everyone else. Your journey is your own, and it’s important to focus on building relationships and delivering value. Stay consistent, and the clients will come.

I also believe in being your unique flavour of a coach. You don’t need to look or sound like anyone else to be effective. Authenticity is what draws the right clients to you, and there’s a coach for every person out there. Be true to your values and strengths, and let that guide you in building your practice.

 

10. Do you have any advice or tips for those who are seeking to perform at a higher level and perhaps considering whether to seek the support of a personal coach like yourself?

Do it. Don’t wait for the perfect moment—investing in a coach is transformative. A coach is there to help you see blind spots, challenge your thinking, and hold you accountable to your goals. The right coaching relationship can fast-track your growth and help you move past obstacles that might feel insurmountable on your own.

Keeping a “wins file” is another critical tip. Save positive feedback, achievements, and any wins—big or small—that come your way. It’s an invaluable resource when preparing for performance reviews, providing concrete evidence of your accomplishments and impact. Plus, on those tough days, revisiting your wins file can be the positive fuel that motivates you forward, reminding you of how far you’ve come and what you’re capable of achieving.

Remember, coaching is not just an investment in your career—it’s an investment in yourself. It’s about recognising the value of having someone in your corner who is wholly invested in your success. And it’s an investment that pays back many times over, not just in terms of promotions and pay rises and creating a respected reputation for yourself but in achieving a sense of fulfilment and purpose.