About Me
Sharon is the founder of Sharon Barbour Coaching, LLC. Coaching since 2006, Sharon has worked with hundreds of clients within the nonprofit, government, academic and private sectors. In addition, Sharon is a senior faculty member for the University of Wisconsin-Madison’s Certified Professional Coach Program and is on faculty with Presence-Based Coaching and Leadership Development.
Prior to launching her business, Sharon worked in program development and evaluation in academia and for non-profits. Her background includes an MPH (Master’s degree in Public Health) from the University of Michigan and a BS in Environmental Studies and Design from Eastern Michigan University.
Mission & Vision
I’m in business to support a kinder and more generative* human experience.
*Generative: creative, capacity-building & supporting life.
I’ve seen that when people come home to themselves and what’s truly important, and when they touch their own wisdom and core values, they naturally shift toward kindness and generativity. This inward shift translates outwardly into their work and personal lives. Relationships, teams and workplaces can be powerfully impacted. The individual experience and the on-going ripple effect toward more creative and sustainable solutions inspire me. I envision coaching and the coach approach as one thread in the weaving of a more compassionate, conscious and sustainable world.
Values of Sharon Barbour Coaching
INTEGRITY
honesty and trust at the core
KINDNESS
in relationship with warmth and care
EXCELLENCE
a deep commitment to masterful coaching and to doing my best
CURIOSITY
the power of “not knowing” and curiosity in service to another
GENERATIVITY
reconnecting others to their creativity, resiliency, wholeness
Passions
And a few fun facts about me:
- I have four older brothers, three of whom are Canadian citizens.
- I was a CSA (community-supported agriculture) farm apprentice with 3 other women farmers back in 1989. 3 acres, 160 shares, hard work and love. We grew food and community.
- I volunteer with 350 Wisconsin – a grassroots climate action group. I serve with some truly wonderful folks on the Agriculture Policy team and the Arts Collective.
- During the pandemic, I started a group called “The Ukeladies” who played ukes and sang in my backyard every Sunday rain or SNOW or shine. We still rock!
- I lived in the far north of New Zealand for 5 months with my then young family in 2015.
- I believe in the power of kindness and curiosity and laughter.
- One of my favorite personal values is mischievous delight.
- My passions include barn dances, my grown daughters Claire and Sadie, stretching my thinking and my competencies, swimming in Lake Michigan, reducing our carbon footprint, hunting for wild blueberries, Mary Oliver’s poetry, Thich Nhat Hahn’s wisdom, and growing vegetables, berries, herbs and flowers – and sharing the harvest!
Get in Touch
And we can explore coaching together.
I’d love to hear from you. Contact me for a complimentary Exploratory Session. We’ll have about 30 minutes to explore what interests you in coaching. You’ll get a sense of me and my style and I’ll get a sense of whether or not what I offer will serve you. You’ll leave with the information you need and quite possibly a helpful new insight or next step.
