Dana Hatch is a distinguished consultant and certified executive coach with over 15 years of experience in the aesthetics, medical aesthetics, and wellness industries. Her expertise has earned several prestigious awards, including The Professional Woman of the Year from the National Association of Professional Women and the Inspirational Woman's Leadership Award from the Los Angeles Times. Dana's diverse career spans many roles in consulting and international consulting. She has expanded her focus beyond medical aesthetics, venturing into the corporate world to support teams and leaders in fostering effective leadership and culture. Dedicated to the art and science of leadership, team building, and the development of emotional intelligence, Dana is committed to building strong teams and cultivating exceptional talent within organizations.
Dana embarked on her journey in the aesthetics industry as an esthetician over 17 years ago, quickly noticing the need for more consistency and leadership in the field. Motivated by challenges and a desire to create sustainable solutions, she shifted into consulting, helping business owners who were struggling to grow and succeed. Dana understood that while resolving business issues was essential, it was equally important to focus on nurturing the individuals behind those businesses. This realization inspired her to refine her coaching skills, providing clients with the tools needed to unlock their potential and foster a proactive approach to problem-solving. Acknowledging that leadership challenges are not confined to the aesthetics industry, Dana has effectively implemented her team and leadership principles across various sectors, highlighting the universal necessity for strong leadership and collaboration. Tell us about a pivotal moment that brought you to where you are today.
From an early age, I recognized that my learning style differed from those around me. Unfortunately, this difference was neither acknowledged nor supported then, often leaving me feeling embarrassed and inadequate. My stubbornness paid off for once, so with a great deal of determination and after years of experimentation, I discovered effective methods to learn and master information that suited me.
This journey of self-discovery ignited my passion for helping others. I aim to guide as many individuals as possible toward success by utilizing various learning techniques and strategies. I never want anyone to worry about feeling inadequate; I want them to identify their unique learning styles, empowering them to reach their goals and realize their full potential. By providing support, sharing these practices, and encouraging others to explore them, I aspire to foster an environment where each person's strengths can shine.
Dana Hatch, Executive and Neurolinguistics Coach
What is your work inspired by?
My work is primarily influenced by my clients' journeys and the growth I observe in them. Nothing is more rewarding or inspiring for me than seeing my clients strive to become the best versions of themselves.
Many have faced significant challenges in their professional lives, which have also impacted their personal lives and mental health. Witnessing their transformation from struggle to opportunity, from hardship to achievement, fuels my passion for this work. I am continuously learning and growing as a professional. Their remarkable changes motivate me to enhance my skills and knowledge to support better and guide each client. Being a small part of their journey and the person they turn to in times of need is why I continue this work every day.
What inspired you to create Dana Hatch Coaching and Consulting?
I've seen this pattern repeated in the work I did as a consultant, which led me to how I'm approaching business transformation today. In the past, working at different consulting companies, our teams spent a lot of time on analysis: analyzing the problems, analyzing what types of solutions would be most appropriate, and then developing a plan for change. But we spent less time addressing the issues that were surfacing, in reality, for the human beings who were actually building and running those businesses. Lack of identifying and correcting the issues within my clients vs. their businesses often led to the companies I worked with reverting to the same old way of doing things and the same old bad results. So, it was clear that a different approach would be necessary to achieve a successful and lasting transformation.
I wanted to stop treating the symptoms, and I wanted to treat the problem. I knew there was a better way, one that addressed not only the business but also the problems and gaps in the individuals in the organization. By changing habits and introducing new ways of thinking, we can make lasting changes and achieve sustainable growth. Organizations can only reach their full potential if the individuals in them reach theirs.
How do you foster connections and support among your audience?
I consistently ask questions and refrain from assuming I understand someone's situation until I have listened to their complete story. I provide individuals with a chance to discuss the concerns that trouble them in a safe, non-judgmental space where they feel heard and validated. This environment fosters a sense of hope and relief, reassuring them that their situation can improve.
What are the most common challenges that your clients face?
My clients encounter two prevalent challenges. First, many need help building a strong culture where their teams are motivated and inspired. This situation leads to difficulties in creating highly productive and cohesive teams. For some, the focus extends beyond just forming a team; it also involves fostering an environment of collaboration, motivation, and growth. Tackling these issues is crucial for both individual and organizational success.
Another challenge is that many of my clients experience different levels of imposter syndrome, which hinders their ability to achieve the professional growth they aspire to.
How are you helping them to face these challenges?
I stress that understanding is the foundation for communicating with my clients facing challenges in cultivating a strong culture and building cohesive teams. I teach that one can only connect with a team member after understanding them. When a leader communicates what the business needs, it opens a platform for team members to communicate what they need in a mutually respectful dialogue. We then recognize and leverage the core foundations upon which the company was established to develop systems of value. These systems serve as benchmarks for which the company and its teams hold themselves accountable.
To assist my clients struggling with imposter syndrome, I guide them to recognize when the voice of this syndrome arises. This helps us pinpoint its root cause. Together, we develop strategies for confronting the source of these feelings, effectively diminishing their influence. Additionally, we focus on fostering self-compassion and granting them permission to succeed while affirming that they deserve all they have and aspire to achieve. We also establish a support system to create a safe space for them to share their experiences.
We all go through tough times in our careers. Can you share a challenging moment you've faced and how it shaped your professional trajectory?
One of the most challenging moments in my career was confronting my own limitations. Over the years, many people joked that I wasn't human, suggesting I could handle any workload without needing breaks or rest. This created a significant amount of pressure in my mind, making me feel as though I could never say no and that I always had to outwork and outperform everyone else.
A few years back, I took a job with a company that was far from ideal. I was assigned a role that should have been divided among several individuals, resulting in an overwhelming workload without support or communication. I found myself in an impossible situation akin to my own Kobayashi Maru. Yet, as someone who refuses to accept unwinnable circumstances and is driven by a narrative of consistently exceeding expectations, I pushed myself well beyond healthy boundaries. This led to severe mental and physical burnout. Eventually, I chose to leave this position, which at the time felt like a significant failure, shaking my confidence and prompting me to reevaluate my professional abilities.
Upon reflecting and undergoing coaching of my own, I discovered numerous positive lessons from this experience. It highlighted the significance of setting solid and clear boundaries with others and within myself. Furthermore, it emphasized the importance of company culture and its various impacts on employees, ultimately influencing their long-term success and effectiveness.
As a result, I have evolved into a more proficient coach and consultant, gaining the ability to see situations through a different lens. This fresh insight has enabled me to assist teams and senior leaders in developing improved organizational leadership frameworks. This experience has also allowed me to connect with and support my clients facing intense pressure to succeed. Many believe that acknowledging their need for help signifies failure. However, through our collaboration, they come to realize that seeking assistance empowers them to become more effective and productive leaders.
Is anything exciting coming up on your agenda? What projects or endeavors are you looking forward to?
I am thrilled to be working on an important project: introducing an emotional intelligence (EI) leadership and team development program. The program enhances people's interpersonal skills and increases communication, productivity, staff retention, and organizational effectiveness. It will be rolled out in 2025 with a series of two to three-day workshops and onsite programs for organizational growth.
The reason I am so excited about this is because research reveals that emotionally intelligent leaders and individual team members are better at reading and interpreting nonverbal cues. This is only the first step in understanding and having clarity about their colleagues' feelings and unspoken fears, leading to more open and transparent communication. Creating an emotionally intelligent culture helps forge strong teamwork and collaboration within a company. Using the above principles, we can build an unbreakable company culture that supports both individual and collective success.
What aspirations and goals do you have for your company as you look to the future?
I aspire for my company to make a significant difference in people's lives on a large scale. My goal is for my business to positively influence the current leadership culture by developing impactful systems that empower organizational leaders to create stronger, more productive teams. By preparing organizations and teams to embrace innovation, we can facilitate a transformation in how leaders and employees work, ultimately shaping the organizations of the future. I believe that by providing pathways for individuals to discover their own definitions of success in business, we encourage more thoughtful decision-making. Instead of adhering to a single notion of success, I aim to embrace a variety of interpretations.
Read more from Dana Hatch
