Meet Maya Gudka, Wondersource’s Leadership Coach
Navigating today's business landscape requires leaders to be agile, resilient, and equipped with a diverse skill set. Needless to say, traditional leadership approaches aren’t cutting it. From soft skills and emotional intelligence to mental and emotional well-being, leaders need support in managing stress, building resilience, and fostering a healthy work-life balance.
At Wondersource, holistic programming has become a cornerstone for our professional development programming. Remarkably, 80% of program participants have attested to the profound impact our sessions have on job performance and satisfaction. A key player in this success is Maya Gudka, MSc, MA (Cantab), an accomplished Executive Coach and Researcher.
Drawing from her background as an Economist in Investment Banking and consulting, Maya leads the charge in Wondersource's Professional Development series, which emphasizes the growth of leaders, effective teamwork, and the cultivation of a supportive team.
The science-backed holistic approach at Wondersource fosters cross-collaboration and essential soft skills development, making it a beacon for those seeking a comprehensive and impactful professional journey.
Our founder, Michelle Velan sat down with Maya Gudka to chat about the Wondersource Professional Development program.
Michelle: Wondersource’s Professional Development programming champions whole body health and wellbeing, can you share why this is imperative in today’s workplace wellness landscape?
Maya: Work actually represents a huge dimension of our wellbeing, both because of the time we spend on it and because of the nature of work today - particularly in the knowledge economy. Work can be a source of stress, joy and connection, but it is not always a straightforward relationship.
When collaborating to deliver Wondersource’s programming, what has been the area that’s lit you up or surprised you?
Ohh where to start! I really sat up when it came to the boundaries work. I remember checking in with you on a few points and then do a deep dive into the sources to make this section profound. I personally have been doing my own work on boundaries ever since.
One of my favorite resources that we offer is The Boundaries Checklist we offered in terms of ‘its ok to...’ was very powerful.
What has been your favourite part of collaborating on this project?
Firstly, I love collaborating with Wondersource and you. I find that you are bringing a fresh perspective into the workplace and you are rigorous in wanting to find the most impactful ideas to share with clients.
Wondersource does this in a style that differs from the corporate norm, it’s more inclusive, more relaxed, and brings about immediate transformation. I also have a personal value of working with excellence which is what I find when collaborating with Wondersource.
As for the programming itself, I have loved the work we’ve shared on aggressive, passive and assertive communication styles, boundaries, and most recently, around common thinking patterns and ways to gently rewrite these.
Why is it challenging for individuals, regardless of their professional level, to openly acknowledge vulnerabilities or express the need for support, even when influential figures like Howard Schultz and Sheryl Sandberg have shared similar sentiments about imposter syndrome and the ongoing struggle with self-doubt in their careers?
I’ve had so many clients, at all levels, over the years say things like ‘Where is the rulebook for X?’ when it comes to management, leadership and career development. This is the WHY I do what I do. Increasingly though, I think the ambitious achiever is aware of two things: that support will get them there faster and that they do not want to achieve success to the detriment of their wellbeing.That’s why work and wellbeing have to go hand-in-hand in coaching.
How can companies effectively bridge the gap between business performance and team wellness, considering the undeniable link between revenue and employee wellbeing, especially when there's a prevailing perception that well-being initiatives are a "nice to have" rather than a necessity? Are self-led apps the answer?
Oh don’t get me started on apps! I love the optimism of the app builder, and it’s a low-cost option, but pragmatically the usage data - the only real success metric - is extremely low.
To successfully make the identity and behavior shifts required to move the needle on both work and wellbeing, a few things are needed, including:
Trouble-shooting inevitable obstacles
Feeling supported and listened to by people who really get it
Insights and suggestions customized to your particular situation
Solid mechanisms for integrating the habit and a culture & system that supports this
Repeated human interaction over time
Post Covid, we have a bit of a boomerang effect in that people want high-touch inputs, and they recognise that the knowing-doing gap is real. They understand that insight alone is not going to create the required changes.
Learning in the room with others, over a period of time, as we have done for the recent Work Series, is one great way to close the knowing-doing gap.
Having worked with other companies and individuals, how do you feel the Wondersource programming is different from coaching or even therapy?
Wondersource insights speak through the company directly to the individual. I have been involved in a lot of leadership development and related programmes over the years, but the work we share at Wondersource on topics such as boundaries, aggressive communication and taking the group through the process of identifying and shifting limiting beliefs, is not something I’ve done before in corporate settings. This fresh, contemporary style inspires both the employees and me as their coach.
Our collaboration on Professional Development has been extremely fulfilling. What types of professionals do you feel have benefited most from our work together?
I would say anyone with at least 3 solid years of experience would be able to benefit and apply the insights from the Wondersource programming, setting the stage for a positive growth trajectory.
As you rise in experience, it becomes about course correcting, shedding habits that no longer serve you, and working to implement these incredibly powerful concepts. I have worked with C-Suite Executives who are struggling with some of these areas - so it’s also never too late!
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Curious to learn more about Wondersource’s Work Program? We run our six session x 60 minute virtual Work series with teams of all sizes globally. We’d love to hear from you. Email us at hello@wondersource.co or book in a call. We’re passionate about helping employees globally live mentally healthy, healed and thriving lives.
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