Leah Jantzen: Coach for Success

What holds a person back most? Sometimes it may be a bad boss; other times, luck or timing. But what if the limiting factor is themselves?

Leah Jantzen is a life and business coach. Most of her clients find her through her website or word of mouth. They rely on her to offer perspective and encouragement whenever they need it.

Jantzen has clients all over the country, from Wisconsin to Rhode Island, and she works with each one for a minimum of three months, at least three times per month in 45-minutes sessions over the phone. Between sessions, she stays in contact through e-mail and phone. 

Jantzen lives in Setauket with her husband, Michael, and three children (Phoebe, age 7; Luke, age 3; Charlie, 16 months). As a result of her work, Jantzen now has a radio show at 10 a.m. every morning interviewing those who have achieved their dreams. The show went live on May 16. 

Patch: What are your favorite and least favorite things about living in Setauket?

LJ: My favorite part definitely has to be the proximity to the beach, playing tennis, and I just love the community here. I grew up here, I've lived here, so I know a lot of people. I love going to the store and knowing everybody and having that close-knit community. And it's just beautiful. I love the accessibility to go anywhere, to go to Port Jeff, go to Connecticut, or get on a train and go to the city.

My least favorite thing? Sometimes there's the traffic on 25A, something like that at five o'clock, trying to get from Nicolls Road to the library, just the congestion.

Patch: Can you describe a few of your clients?

LJ: I started working with this one woman last year, and when she came to me, her business was really struggling and she wasn't doing well. She was barely maintaining her quota. In two months' time, she had doubled her volume and she wound up being promoted within six months, which was a big deal within her business. It was just the best feeling.

At the same time, another client had a similar experience and she was also promoted and I felt, you know, "This is working. Whatever it is that I'm providing to them is paying off." 

A lot people can't see what's in front of them. It's just changing their mindset and changing the way they approach things. I had a client send me flowers the other day saying, "You've made me a better leader and a better person," and the best kind of feedback is just amazing. I think a lot of what I do is empowerment and helping them really see their strengths.

Patch: What is the most rewarding thing about coaching people?

LJ: I think the most rewarding thing is that I get to help people reach their goals that might be just out of reach for them. They also get to bounce their ideas and any of the challenges that they're having off someone who can provide some objectivity for them, and perspective.

They just feel a tremendous amount of support and empowerment through the coaching process because they sometimes are afraid to talk with friends or family about things they want to do for fear that they're going to judge them.

Patch: What's the most difficult thing about coaching?

LJ: When they don't see the vision for themselves that I see, or they don't believe in themselves as much as I see. [Sometimes] they have trouble seeing the big picture and focus on what's not happening in their life as opposed to what is happening in their life.

They see the glass as half empty, and I try to remind them of all the success that they have had. [I tell them to] look a couple months back and look at where you are, and it's like, "Oh yeah, you're right." 

Patch: Do you ever think it would be easier to conduct sessions in person?

LJ: I think it would be a different experience to coach them in person just because you would see the facial expressions, but there's something about the anonymity of not being face-to-face that I think also gives them a lot of freedom. If they're emotional about something, or if they're not dressed, it's not like an appointment. It's so convenient for people. They call me from their cellphones, they call me if they're commuting, whatever it is, they can be right in that place at that time. 

I think everyone just likes having the convenience of just jumping on the phone. Down the road, I would do maybe Skype with clients. 

Patch: Has your experience as a counselor helped?

LJ: I definitely think it has. I spent all these years working with families and kids and parents and staff members. As a counselor, you work with teachers and administrators, so my job was always to listen. I'm doing the same type of job, but what I love about coaching as opposed to counseling is it's really action-oriented and much more proactive.

We're not rehashing things that happened in the past as much as we're moving forward. It's like, here's where you are today, where do you want to be in six months, where do you want to be in five years, and what are the steps we can take to get you there? Definitely, my master's degree has been a big help.

Patch: Any advice for people with big dreams?

LJ: To just listen to that voice, listen to that nagging little voice telling you, "You want to do this." Whether it's write a book or do something that's out of your comfort zone. Start a little business, or do something you've always wanted to do but it's never been the right time. Just take one little step towards it and you never know. Just take a chance, take a risk, and you really have nothing to lose.