We had the good fortune of connecting with Marlo Lyons and we’ve shared our conversation below.
Hi Marlo, what role has risk played in your life or career?
Taking risks is an inherent part of life that will always lead to profound growth and fulfillment whether the risk leads to success or perceived failure. While risk itself entails uncertainty, it is through this uncertainty that we unearth our true passions and potentials.
In my own odyssey of career transitions, I’ve embraced risk as a guiding force, propelling me toward career fulfillment and life happiness. Each career transition from being a TV news reporter to an entertainment lawyer, to a Human Resources Executive, and ultimately to a Certified Coach, was an risk filled with fear and uncertainty. Questions creeped in my mind, “Will I make the same or more money?” and “Will I be more passionate about this new career or will the shine wear off eventually?” Yet, I knew taking a risk in to make each of these changes meant tapping into my reservoir of resilience and adaptability to transcend the fear of failure.
The biggest risk of my career was departing the corporate world and turning my side coaching business into a full time venture. After nearly 30 years working for a corporation, taking this risk meant I would not have a steady paycheck, a team for support, and I would not have structure to my days. But this risk not only transformed my business, it transformed my life.
Central to my ethos of risk-taking is the notion of thoughtful deliberation, a conscientious approach that seeks to mitigate potential pitfalls while embracing the transformative power of uncertainty. It is through this lens of introspection and alignment with my core values that I’ve navigated the labyrinth of risk, guided by intuition and conviction. For me, the true essence of risk lies not merely in the pursuit of novelty, but rather in the pursuit of authenticity and fulfillment.
In essence, the journey of risk-taking is an intimate dialogue between oneself and the unknown. As I dared to venture beyond the confines of my comfort zone with each risk, I realized the only limits are in my mind and listening to my intuition has guided me to the deepest clarity of how to align my life with my deepest passions and values.
Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
My business is Marlo Lyons Coaching LLC. I am a Career, Executive, and Team Coach. With over two decades of experience, I have dedicated my career to unlocking people’s potential to live their lives in alignment with their values, which leads them to fulfillment.
My human resources, career coaching, and leadership expertise combined with my own personal career transitions, from TV News reporter to Entertainment Lawyer to HR Executive to Career, Executive, and Team Coach, and experience coaching hundreds of clients gives me a unique perspective with deep insights into career transitions, leadership coaching and HR strategies in hiring and promotions.
I am most proud of my clients. My clients do the hard work to evolve as professionals, and they own their success. I am just happy to partner with them as their coach to help them reach their goals.
My coaching business was a “side hustle” for many years. At my day job, I was an Entertainment Lawyer and team leader and then HR executive, which meant I was coaching my team and also senior leaders daily on business strategy, crucial conversations, change management, organizational talent planning etc. But I truly enjoyed career coaching as well, so I coached on the side of my day job with a few clients every month. After more than a decade without any advertising my coaching waitlist was getting longer and my day job in HR wasn’t as fulfilling, so I took a big risk and made the leap to work in my coaching business full time. Like most who make a big life change, I was scared! But I also knew intuitively that it was the right move for me and would provide me fulfillment in my work and life in alignment with my values. I have never felt happier or more fulfilled.
The greatest lesson I have learned is if you are not happy, if you are feeling meh Monday mornings, if you are questioning “what else can I do?” in your career or you are just lost, don’t listen to the voice in your head that says, “you’re comfortable” or “you’re content” or “maybe this isn’t the right time to make a change, or grow, or develop because (whatever the reason).” That little nagging voice is fear creating limiting beliefs. Once you overcome that fear, you will be able to rely on your intuition to find career and life fulfillment.
I want the world to know: To me, success is based on a combination of my authenticity, expertise, and empowerment of others. My definition of success is not dollars earned; I define it as impact made on individuals and organizations.
Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Arizona is full of fun places to visit and things to do.
First, I would take a friend tubing down the Salt River for the day.
Next stop, e-biking around the Grand Canyon.
Of course, there would be a day or two in Sedona for a little hike up any of the vortexes – Bell Rock and Cathedral Rock are two of my favorites. While in Sedona, we’d spend a day in Jerome, an old Ghost Town, for food and shopping.
Back home, I’d take a friend to downtown Scottsdale for some shopping and some unique food at the Cornish Pasty Company. Then we’d be off to The Botanical Garden for a beautiful walk and if you hit it at the right time – you can see the Butterfly exhibit. There is no shortage of amazing hikes here. We’d definitely be exploring the McDowell Sonoran Preserve where there are dozens of hikes to wear you out.
Food! Kasai is amazing for something a little fancier or hit up Yen Sushi Revolving Bar for something a bit more casual. There are too many good restaurants to name here. You can’t go wrong!
The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I’d like to shout out Nathan Blackmar. Nathan was a recruiter at a company who posted on his LinkedIn, “If you need career advice, reach out!” I did and Nathan is the person who helped me clarify my path toward HR. That clarification led me to become certified in coaching – my true life passion. So while HR was a side step toward the final career, meeting Nathan started the trajectory toward living fully in alignment with my values.
Website: www.marlolyonscoaching.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/marlolyonscoaching
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/marlo-lyons-coaching
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/marlolyonscoaching
Other: Other LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marlolyons TikTok: @marlolyonscoaching