Lynn Skotnitsky
Trainer, Solution Focused Coach

Lynn Skotnitsky, MA

Lynn Skotnitsky is a solution-focused coach, adult educator and researcher with 2 decades of experience in development consulting in Canada and abroad.

For Lynn, the essence of coaching is supporting people to shift from analyzing problems to focusing their energies on the results they really want instead. This applies to supporting an individual on the road to personal mastery, to assisting an organization to bond as a community, or to empowering a community to draw on the assets of its people.

As a facilitator having worked with a diversity lens for many years, Lynn’s talent is creating ‘leaderful’ and transformative learning spaces where multiple viewpoints are honoured and people are valued for their unique contributions. She holds a strong vision to contribute to structures that bring out the best in people, and that promote personal power along with social and environmental responsibility.

Background:

Lynn draws on a solid theoretical foundation from both sociological and psychological research in supporting adult learning, including recent contributions from neuroscience. Her communication style is energetic, inclusive, creative, straightforward, compassionate and fun-loving. Participants often emerge from her training sessions with fresh insights into their personal learning styles, confidence in newly-developed skills and inspiration that comes from deep engagement with a community of learners.

Individual coaching: Lynn has coached individuals on such themes as exploring life purpose, motivation, health and wellness, stress management, values identification, decision-making, life/work balance, long term visioning, planning and prioritizing, immigrant adaptation, managing workplace conflict, research design, academic and creative writing, and public speaking.

Organizational Consulting: Lynn has designed and led a variety of workshops, group projects, multi-stakeholder consultations and planning sessions. Incorporating a coaching framework with her clients, she has worked in areas as diverse as healthcare, autism training, neighbourhood planning, governance, provincial childcare policy, tourism, financial services, language immersion, cross cultural adaptation, building inclusive school and organizational cultures, and professional coach training.

Community Based Research: Lynn’s research over the years has oriented around women’s leadership, social inclusion, diversity and community capacity building. Her current research project, in partnership with UBC, involves the impacts of self-advocacy and public speaking training on youth with Autism and Asperger’s Syndrome.

Community Leadership: Over the last two decades Lynn has also served as a volunteer director on the boards of non-profit organizations in three Canadian provinces and participated in many committees and coalitions working in social innovation. Lynn is deeply committed to strengthening the social fabric of our communities, and she believes that the coaching framework is a powerful way to support this process.
Having lived and worked in five countries, Lynn moved back to Vancouver in 2006 with her partner and two children, where she has a coaching practice working with people and organizations that are passionate about creating a society where everyone thrives. She supports people who want to pursue enriching careers, make a positive difference in the world, and live congruent, meaningful lives.

For further information contact her at lynn@coachforjourney.com

Education and On-going Professional Development
Member of the International Coach Federation
600+ hours training in Solution Focused Coaching and Neuro-linguistic Programming,
Erickson College/NLP Institute of BC
Master of Arts: Adult Education, Organization & Community Development,
OISE/University of Toronto
Certificate, Facilitated Planning, Institute for Cultural Affairs Canada
Certificate, Advanced Interpersonal Mediation, St. Stephen’s Community House, Toronto
Bachelor of Arts: Sociology/Anthropology, University of British Columbia
Certificate: Intercultural Communications, University of California Santa Barbara
Diploma in Business Management, Okanagan University College
Certified Travel Consultant (BC)

Recent Testimonials

Coaching sessions with Lynn have been instrumental in guiding me in how to achieve balance in my life by setting structure and achievable goals that are clear and realistic. When I have gone off track, follow-up sessions have helped me to refocus on concrete steps and reconnect to what I originally set out to do. Lynn’s sessions have again and again brought me back to a place of clarity, energy and motivation. I would recommend her coaching service to anyone who needs a hand to achieve what seems insurmountable.

- Agnes Mochama, PhD Candidate, Toronto

Training with Lynn Skotnitsky gave me an insight into the standards that I would like to attain for myself - she is a great role model. Her deep understanding of coaching principles coupled with her genuine authenticity and sincerity are true indicators of what it takes to be a great coach.
- Anna Stowers, International Consultant, Germany

Lynn provided remarkable leadership and energy at the recent Art and Science of Coaching intensive course; she modeled sensitivity, compassion, clarity and great strength in her own inimitable fashion. Her ability to truly listen and be present to her students and clients is a deep gift. Lynn is a walking advertisement for all that coaching can bring - focus, mastery and joyful living.
- Valerie Legge, Concert Musician, Montreal

Here are a few adjectives that describe Lynn’s style as a facilitator and coach: Conscientious, intelligent, engaging, passionate, caring, empathic, attuned to others! Thank you!!

- Jan Mitchell, Manager of Stakeholder Education, Health Benefits Trust, Vancouver, BC

Lynn was one of my favourite trainers during the 2008 Summer Intensive. She spoke with confidence, clarity and gave relevant examples to illustrate the materials. I thoroughly enjoyed her participation as she was warm, inviting and easy to understand. I wish we were able to receive more of her training during the remainder of the course!
- Lisa Princic, Sustainable Business Consultant, Squamish, BC

Lynn is an outstanding trainer. I appreciate her understanding of the Erickson principles and strategies and her ability to convey this to participants. She engages class members in activities, shares what she is passionate about, and clearly enjoys what she is doing. Most importantly, Lynn is able to connect authentically with participants. She makes the training experience deeply personal and meaningful for all involved.

- Dr. Vaune Ainsworth, Psychologist, Consultant, and Coach. Washington, USA.

Lynn is a fantastic facilitator. She uses all aspects of adult education to ensure that every learning style is addressed. The Art & Science of Coaching has been a very powerful course: It has given me the ‘tools’ to use in coaching and facilitation settings.

- Kirsten Hansen, Founding Partner, Creative Training Solutions, White Rock, BC.

Lynn is a wonderful facilitator who provides an excellent learner-centered environment. My expectations were exceeded.

- Dorothy MacDonald, Air Canada.