Coach FEATURE: Judy Cantwell

We continue to meet our fellow coaches, get inspired and build coach community with our "Meet the Coach" features! This month we meet Judy Cantwell, a Work & Life Coach from the USA.

Interview with Judy

About Judy

Lives In: Atlanta, USA

Company: Working Cultures

Type of Coach: Work & Life Coach specialising in workplace, cross-cultural, and professional development coaching.

Describe your coaching business in one sentence: Supporting professionals to navigate and thrive in the global workplace through communication, cultural understanding, and strengths-based coaching.

Meet Judy

Judy Cantwell believes some of the most powerful moments in coaching happen when clients fully own their own progress.

For Judy, coaching is not about being recognised for the insight. It is about creating the conditions for people to think differently, grow, and move forward in ways that feel authentic to them.

In a recent conversation with Dr Steve Jeffs, Judy shared how her background in workplace coaching, organisational dynamics, psychotherapy, and strengths-based approaches has shaped her coaching — combining curiosity, practical tools, and a deep respect for how people experience change.

Her work focuses especially on helping people navigate workplaces and environments that are becoming increasingly complex and interconnected.

Coaching That Helps People Own Their Growth

When asked what she loves most about coaching, Judy’s answer was simple.

She spoke about the satisfaction of watching people grow and seeing moments of insight emerge through the coaching process.

For Judy, one of the greatest compliments a coach can receive is when clients reflect on their progress without recognising how much space the coach created for that growth.

Rather than positioning herself as the source of answers, she believes coaching should allow people to recognise their own capabilities and trust their own decisions.

As she explained, however people arrive there, the important thing is that they get there.

Supporting People Across Cultures and Generations

Judy’s coaching career has largely centred around organisations, corporations, government settings, and workplace environments.

One of the areas she is especially passionate about is supporting people working across cultures — whether that means international professionals relocating for work, organisations adapting to different ways of working, or individuals learning how to communicate more effectively across differences.

She shared examples of helping clients understand and adapt to different cultures, expectations, and workplace environments.

Her work also explores another reality shaping many organisations today: multiple generations working together.

Judy sees enormous value in helping people appreciate different perspectives and approaches while learning how to work more effectively across differences.

The Ability to Tolerate Ambiguity

One idea that stood out strongly throughout Judy’s conversation was the importance of tolerating ambiguity.

In environments shaped by change and difference, uncertainty can often create discomfort.

Judy believes many reactions to unfamiliar situations are rooted in fear.

Her coaching encourages people to stay curious and become more comfortable with uncertainty rather than seeking quick judgement or simple answers.

As Judy reflected:

• How does this work?
• How do we come together with our differences?

For her, curiosity creates opportunities for stronger communication, greater understanding, and more intentional choices.

Building on Strengths Rather Than Correcting Weaknesses

Another important influence in Judy’s coaching comes from positive psychology and the work of Timothy Gallwey.

She spoke about the impact of books such as The Inner Game of Tennis, particularly the idea that growth often happens more effectively when we focus on strengths rather than becoming consumed with correcting weaknesses.

Rather than carrying a long list of things to fix, Judy encourages clients to notice what is already working and continue developing from there.

This philosophy also reflects her background in Adlerian psychology, which emphasises growth, strengths, and human potential.

For Judy, coaching works best when clients build on strengths and feel empowered to move forward.

Simple Tools, Powerful Conversations

Although Judy has worked with many coaching tools and assessments throughout her career, two remain consistent favourites.

The first is values work.

Values conversations help clients broaden how they see themselves and gain greater clarity around what matters most.

The second is life mapping.

She shared how visual tools can simplify reflection and help clients recognise patterns, experiences, and strengths in ways that feel more accessible and meaningful.

For Judy, the simplicity of a tool often creates the space for deeper conversations.

In Conclusion: Coaching That Creates Space for Growth

Judy Cantwell’s approach reminds us that coaching is not about directing people toward answers.

It is about helping people navigate complexity, appreciate differences, and trust themselves enough to move forward.

Whether working across cultures, generations, or changing workplace environments, Judy’s coaching creates space for reflection, understanding, and growth.

Because sometimes the most meaningful coaching moments are the ones clients believe they created entirely on their own.

LEARN MORE about Judy here: Visit Judy's Website here >> Follow Judy on Facebook >> Follow Judy on LinkedIn >>