Coach FEATURE: Meet Zakia Mahrach, PCC

We continue to meet our fellow coaches, get inspired and build coach community with these "Meet the Coach" features! This month we meet Business Coach Zakia Mahrach, PCC, NLP Prac and DISC certified from Morocco. 

Read on to learn more about Zakia...

About Zakia Mahrach:

From: Tangier-Assilah, Morocco.

Business name: Bright Management Group

Describe your coaching business in one sentence: I help professionals realize their vision by transforming their objectives into concrete and practical results. I also work with high-potential leaders and their teams to both develop their self-awareness and stimulate individual and collective intelligence to build a culture of performance.

QUESTION 1: What one book should every coach read - and why?

I have read many coaching and leadership books. For me, the book "Emotional Intelligence" by Daniel Goleman is an excellent reference not only at the start of a coach's career, but also to help you progress.

For Goleman, the traditional concept of intelligence has neglected an essential part of human behaviour - emotional reactions. Drawing on the latest discoveries in biology and psychology, Goleman analyzes why some high-IQ individuals fail while others with much more modest IQs are doing well. Self-control, perseverance, motivation, respect for others  and social well-being; these are some of the qualities possessed by emotionally intelligent people who succeed in their personal and professional lives.

Goleman defines emotional intelligence as the ability to recognize the impact of our own feelings on ourselves, to understand the emotions of others, and to manage our emotions and actions in order to interact with those who surround us.

The most difficult challenge that leaders might encounter in their simple daily life is the mastery of their emotional intelligence. People who lead with emotional intelligence are better equipped to inspire others to have a positive impact on the world.

In order to effectively coach leaders to develop their emotional intelligence, we should first develop this skill within ourselves as coaches. Great coaches apply emotional intelligence throughout their work, remaining calm in difficult situations and maintaining emotional balance. They also rely on empathy to understand their clients' points of view and provide targeted and individualized feedback. And they have a real interest in helping clients find growth opportunities.

QUESTION 2: Which website do you visit the most?

I visit Linkedin and the ICF website. I use LinkedIn in order to connect with clients and inspiring leaders, and the ICF website in order to stay up to date with new research and tools.

QUESTION 3: Whom do you admire most?

I admire so many coach leaders. In particular Marshall Goldsmith, Executive Coach, speaker and author. He is a source of inspiration with his dynamism and contributions to a new and beautiful image of coaching.

QUESTION 4: What's your vision for your life? Where do you see yourself in 5 years?

I like coaching because it allows me to contribute to the success of others and improve their lives. In 5 years, I see myself coaching with the same avid passion and commitment. I also see myself as a coach of international renown focusing more on strategic and organizational aspects.

QUESTION 5: What is your top goal at the moment?

My big project for the moment is to make a platform of coaching through which I can coach and teach coaching on the international scale.

QUESTION 6: What has been your favourite coaching moment so far?

There have been so many beautiful coaching moments. One of the most beautiful moments I've had was with a client I coached recently. They made an extraordinary realization during coaching that changed their vision and life. I will never forget that moment of silence. Their eyes grew so big that the light gleamed in her eyes. It was a magical moment.

QUESTION 7: What are your Top 3 favourite coaching tools and/or resources?

I use different tools in my coaching that come from DISC, NLP and Transactional Analysis.

1. My absolute favourite tool is questions. They have an extraordinary impact, and for me questioning is the most indispensable tool to be mastered.
2. The GROW Model is a smart and simple method to setting a goal and solving a problem in coaching.
3. Visualization has an amazing power because it allows us to stimulate our neurons to build new helpful beliefs. This leads to a positive mindset that boosts our ability to regain enthusiasm along with the solutions and means to achieve our goals.

QUESTION 8: What do you love most about being a coach?

I was always passionate about human beings and success. The thing I love as a coach is contributing to the development and success of my clients. I love seeing that light shining through their eyes when they reach their goals - or when they finally see the silver lining within their situation.

QUESTION 9: Tell us a secret about you...

Before choosing my coaching career, I had been through burnout. Thanks to that, I now understand the importance of being more self-aware. I have also become more aware of my client's difficulties and challenges.

QUESTION 10: If you could change one thing in our world, what would it be? And how would you go about it?

If I can change one thing, it would be to suppress judgment and to instill tolerance and acceptance. To push people to accept and love themselves and others. This is what I teach through my coaching and training; I contribute to this dream by helping people to have a positive and growth mindset.

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