30 years experience in Leadership; NCO in a paratrooper regiment in his native France, leading a global virtual team for a Nasdaq-listed company, Board stewardship, Coaching, and Mentoring. Gilles Varette, an EMCC-accredited coach holds a Master’s in Business Practice and diplomas in Personal Development and Executive Coaching as well as Mental Health and Well-being. He strongly believes that cultivating a Growth Mindset is the key to Personal Development and a natural safeguard against the expertise trap. He lives by this quote from Epictetus: “It is not what happens to you that matters, but how you react, when something happens, the only thing in your power is your attitude toward it”.
Gilles Varette, Business Coach
Could you please introduce yourself to our readers? Share a bit about your background, and your journey.
Examined from various perspectives, my journey might be perceived as transitioning from disorderly to unconventional. The French education system and I did not get on very well, and secondary school was a disaster. After completing a year and a half at university, I decided to leave and joined a paratrooper regiment, ultimately becoming a Non-Commissioned Officer. Coming back to civilian life, I guess I got “lucky” by completing computer analyst training I joined Andersen Consulting and then Orange France, before moving to Ireland. I believe it is here that my professional journey truly started. Within a few years, I was leading a global virtual team for a Nasdaq-listed company, and then I had the opportunity to go back to study while working and achieve a Master’s in Business practice. Building on this success and newly acquired perspectives and knowledge, I joined a couple of not-for-profit boards of Directors, one of which I chaired for 6 successful years. In parallel, I continued studying leading to my part-time activities in Coaching, and Mentoring which we will discuss later. How Ironic looking at my poor academic record in my youth, but such an interesting topic from a personal development and a growth mindset perspective.
How did you get involved in Coaching?
At the time of my Master’s studies, I was not in a good place, not happy with my career, furious from very early in the morning, borderline depressed, and probably in need of therapy. During a Leadership postgrad, we had to reflect on ourselves, focussing on creating new habits, I was assigned a coach, and this was the beginning of my journey of discovery. Understanding the benefits of stress, managing my emotions, and embracing a growth mindset.
A year after my master's, I graduated from Kingstown College with a Personal Development and Executive coaching diploma, got accreditation from the European Mentoring Coaching Council, and later graduated as a Mental Health and Well-being coach. To share the lessons I've learned and empower others through my own experiences, I decided to found a coaching practice named 'Get Unstuck': this name serves as a constant reminder of the dedication required for personal development and growth. Aside from coaching, I am also a mentor for not-for-profit executives with Carmichael, a leading provider of training, support, and resources for nonprofits in Ireland. My client base is currently Ireland, the UK and Continental Europe. However, if we take into account the organisation I work with in particular the mentoring program I am involved with, then my client base is worldwide across many cultures: a very exciting and enriching journey, fulfilling a never-ending thirst for knowledge and growth.
Many organizations have acknowledged the significance of coaching. How do you perceive the current progress in this regard?
An increasing number of organizations now acknowledge the significance of coaching, viewing it as a valuable mindset and tool not only for leaders but also for professionals across various domains (Leadership, with its multifaceted nature, extends beyond managing teams, emphasizing the importance of leadership qualities in any respective field). Coaching, at its core, revolves around active listening and understanding perspectives in a non-judgmental manner while constructively sharing one's own. As leaders and colleagues, it is our responsibility to support teams in achieving both individual and organizational goals.
However, the challenge lies in some organizations treating coaching as a mere checkbox in mandatory training rather than deeply embedding it in their culture. Simply designating managers as Leaders/Coaches without proper supervision and effective measurement undermines the potential impact of coaching. Unlike in the coaching industry, where continuous development is emphasized through accreditation, supervision, and ongoing training, many organizations overlook the importance of in-house coaching.
The establishment of a genuine coaching culture within an organization is crucial, and anything less can be counterproductive, wasting both time and money, with potentialy negative consequences for individuals and the overall organization. On the contrary, organizations that wholeheartedly adopt a coaching culture witness significant and measurable success. At a recent coaching conference in Dublin, companies like PayPal showcased their achievements, demonstrating the positive outcomes of fully embracing a coaching culture.
What is your coaching philosophy?
My coaching philosophy is rooted in the Stoic philosophy, as encapsulated in Epictetus' wisdom: 'It is not what happens to you that matters, but how you react. When something happens, the only thing in your power is your attitude toward it.' This principle guided me during my journey of cultivating new habits, particularly through daily journaling that involved reflecting on life's stressful events. I learned to control what I could influence what was possible, and accept what lay beyond my control or influence.
In my coaching practice, I view coaching as a collaborative alliance—a conversational journey aimed at building resilience and self-realization. I assist my clients in navigating their fears and overcoming obstacles, fostering personal growth. A growth mindset is fundamental in all coaching journeys, whether in the realms of leadership, executive development, or business.
Utilizing mental health and wellbeing coaching techniques, I provide support to clients in managing stress and understanding their emotions. To structure my coaching approach, I've developed a framework known as the 5P’s—comprising Projection, Perspective, Plan, Practice, and Progress. This framework serves as a comprehensive guide, facilitating a holistic and effective coaching experience for my clients.
What fuels your passion, what could you share about your experience, do you have any particular success you are proud of?
What fuels my passion for coaching is the profound impact it can have on individuals' lives. I find success not in the digits after the Dollar or Euro sign in my bank account, but in transformative moments beyond monetary measures.
One success story stands out—a client who was deeply entrenched in the aftermath of a devastating past event, to the extent that I considered referring her to a therapist. Drawing on the insights of experts like Kelly McGonigal on stress and Susan David on emotional intelligence, combined with a well-being framework such as Martin Seligman’s PERMA model, our six-month coaching journey led to a remarkable transformation. At the conclusion, she expressed, “I was desperate and tired of living. You made me realize that every day beautiful things happen to me, little things that are so important. I don't think about tomorrow anymore. I appreciate the present moment. And I feel relieved. I don't force myself anymore, I don't pretend anymore: I’m not scared anymore”.
Regardless of the specific goal, I always encourage my clients to develop strategies for building healthy relationships with stress and emotions, recognizing them as potential barriers to development and growth.
Any particular advice for our readers.
Embrace the French wisdom of “Rome ne s'est pas faite en un jour” (Rome was not built in one day) recognizing that progress is a personal journey. Resist the urge to compare yourself to others; be yourself, not what people want you to be, nor what you think you need to be to fit in, embrace your differences, your uniqueness is your greatest strength, be authentic. In today's cultural landscape, social media, while beneficial, can foster toxic positivity (a misconception that people should be positive all the time, focusing on positive aspects only and dismissing or invalidating any negative emotions or experiences). Allow yourself the full spectrum of emotions: It's okay not to be okay. Embrace failure as a natural part of your journey, a stepping stone to success: there are countless examples of highly successful individuals who remind us that setbacks are opportunities for growth, learning, and eventual triumph. Realise that discomfort is the price of entry to a meaningful life (Susan David). Within every challenge lies an opportunity for growth, and in every obstacle, a chance to build resilience. Embrace the trials with an optimistic heart, for they are the forge where the strongest spirits are tempered. Get in touch to get unstuck, overcome obstacles, and strive for a life marked by continuous growth, learning, and triumph.
