Testimonials

Leadership Colloquium

We appreciate the time and effort you put into sharing your story with women and men from around the region.  Thank you so much for participating in the inaugural REAL Talk hosted by the UMW Women’s Colloquium.  We have received incredible feedback about the event. 

- Kimberly C. Young, Executive Director, Continuing & Professional Studies, University of Mary Washington

Space to Process

Barbara is an exceptional coach! Her compassionate curiosity and focused questions allowed me the space to process big decisions. Her ability to probe and guide me as I took risks and made changes was like walking with a trusted friend. I am forever grateful!  

– Carey Sims, Created Space 

Personal Growth Plan

I had the pleasure of connecting with Barbara through my work as Adult Services Coordinator for Central Rappahannock Regional Library. Barbara offered to teach classes at four of our libraries on developing a personal growth plan. I was thrilled to have Barbara present, and she even contributed a guest blog post of her favorite books to the library’s website! Working with Barbara on organizing the classes for our library, Barbara is detail-oriented, punctual, and follows through. I’ve also participated in Barbara’s workshops through the University of Mary Washington Women’s Colloquium. Barbara is very engaging and energetic, and she provides the perfect blend of information and inspiring action. Everyone who attends her seminars is an involved participant and comes away having gained new insights and tools with which to implement positive growth. I highly recommend Barbara as a speaker and coach and look forward to staying connected with her.

– Tracy McPeck, Adult Services Coordinator at Central Rappahannock Regional Library

Priorities

I was dealing with my anxiety about an upcoming certification interview and questions about continuing my education for another degree. I knew I also needed to focus on self-care and my health.  Barbara helped me to prioritize my goals and create a list of steps to check off as I work through them. It helped me to see what was most important to me, and what I needed to do to prepare for each goal. Now I have completed, or am making very good progress on all the goals I listed as moderately to very important to me. I passed the certification, have applied for another degree program, and have set aside time each day to focus on self-care.  Now I’m looking forward to finishing this list of goals and working on the next set of challenges ahead of me.

– Elizabeth, Mary Washington Hospital

Clarity

I worked with Barbara when I was conflicted about which way to turn in my business and couldn't make a decision. Barbara had great suggestions for me to try, confirmed some things I was thinking about but was afraid to commit to, and gave me some insight based on her extensive experience as a coach. I immediately began implementing some of her suggestions and feel very confident that I am on the right path and can trust my instincts. I highly recommend Barbara for anyone who wants to gain better clarity in their own life and isn't sure where to start.

– Laurie K.

Collaboration

Having someone to collaborate and throw ideas by has made such a difference in me moving forward and getting all my thoughts and ideas sorted out and even finished! If you are looking for that special person to team up with and take a look at your project with a new and fresh set of eyes, Barbara is the perfect person for that job!

– Angela S.

Emotional Intelligence

As an entrepreneur for the last 25 years, I remember the times of burnout as clearly as I recall the times of great success. I sure wish I had someone to help me manage the down times when it was filled with chaos and uncertainty. Often times we have no one we can go to who understands where we are, or who is willing to help and serve us without some form of their own agenda. I have known and worked with Barbara Gustavson for over 4 years. When I was launching the John Maxwell President’s Advisory Council and putting together a team of members who could serve me, Barbara was one of my very first picks. I chose her because she had insights and a level of emotional intelligence that I needed to lean on during the fast-paced growth times and when dealing with the challenges of a multicultural organization.

– Martinelli & Associates

Vision

I can't thank you enough for helping me get to this place.  You really helped me replace my anxiety and fear of change for what comes next.  I still go back and review notes and my vision board/page.  The vision page has helped me see that I have tremendous blessings and successes and that I have the ability to move forward.

– Sandra L. 

Insight

The wisdom and knowledge you imparted to me made all the difference and I am forever grateful!  We had 30+ in attendance and have received positive feedback and a request for another session later in the year. 

– Dove Development & Consulting

Focus

Barbara helped me to gain focus on my goal of changing my Profession after owning my own business for 10 years. I was stuck on which direction to focus my attention on. Barbara helped me to create a priority “to do” list, and she empowered me to take those steps. Here we are 4 months later, I have a new position that I believe will be equally rewarding with less stress and weekends off. Thank you Barbara!

– Valerie B. 

Purpose

Thank you so much for conducting the workshop on “Finding Your Purpose” at our company retreat. The care and attention you gave to targeting your efforts to our group really came through and we all benefitted from this.

– Holt for Homes