Eleni Staraki Professional Coach

We bridge the gap between life’s challenges and the need for effective action by supporting people to overcome obstacles and connect with their true selves.

At STARAKI COACHING we believe that

• we do things “with” people and not “to” people, so we build alliances and co-create the journey and resist the urge to impose instructions and rules or empower through clichés and cheerleading.
• behavior (and thoughts) is not inherently good or bad, so we seek the functionality of every behavior (and thought) within the environment that exists (or is created) and resist the urge to promote certainties based on the limiting polarity “good-bad” or “right-wrong”.
• coaching can support radical change, so we explore motivations, obstacles, ways of thinking and behaving within the living and working environment and resist the urge to apply transactional coaching through prefabricated solutions.
• awareness precedes change, so we seek to understand the specific dynamics of each situation and resist the urge to assume that we know the answers in advance or that the same problems have the same solutions.
• planning and achieving goals are part of a complex mental framework, so we look for the internal and external factors that create it and resist the urge to consider goal setting as a fixed process of steps.
• behavior is largely driven by goals and motivations, so we seek to explore how they contribute and resist the urge to think we are all the same.
• the goal is to take action, so we seek personal commitment and resist the urge to assume that we will infuse you with a desire to act (cheerleading).
• the individual can influence the overall course of its life, so we work and create within a framework of responsibility and resist the urge to take control and responsibility of your decisions.
• obstacles are a normal part of life and future is uncertain, so we focus on enhancing learning agility, decision making heuristics and reframing and resist the urge to anticipate and control the future in the long run.
• the positive experience of one person does not prove the effectiveness of one method for everyone, so we consciously utilize scientifically proven practices and resist the urge to follow the logic “see how s/he did it, so you can do it too”.
• coaching is a powerful organizational and developmental practice where beliefs are challenged, so we seek the intention to transcend and resist the urge to deny reality.
• the most valuable asset that is not replaceable is time, so we use it with discretion and intention and resist the urge to offer magic solutions and half-way solutions.

Experience as well as research prove that one coaching approach alone cannot meet the complex needs of a coachee. For this reason, we combine a set of evidence-based coaching approaches and adapt our coaching-services to the needs and the unique profile of each coachee. We implement the following evidence-based approaches in our coaching practice:

1. Solution-focused coaching: Moves the coachee towards a desired future, instead of focusing on the past and the current unpleasant situation. Emphasizes a holistic approach by working out how positive change can be integrated into a person’s entire life within the environment in which s/he lives and works (systemic).
2. Goal-focused coaching: Supports the achievement and accomplishment of both business and non-business goals. Enhances performance based on SMART goal-setting. The stages include motivation enhancement, identification of benefits, required skills and knowledge, planning, evaluation, and action. At the same time, it prepares the coachee for leadership tasks (leadership skills) and potential obstacles (contingency plan).
3. Strengths-based coaching: Identifies and reinforces the strengths of character that give life meaning and purpose. It includes the use of the psychometric test VIA Character Strengths Survey and focuses on well-being, wholeness and optimal functionality in life.
4. Acceptance and commitment based coaching: Identifies the root of an issue that may prevent an individual from making full use of his/her potential. It includes the use of coaching tools to take more effective action in life, so that the person can respond consciously to thoughts and emotions.
5. Humanistic-existential (existential coaching): Focuses on enhancing self-awareness by helping the individual to process life’s paradoxes and polarities, free themselves from rigid and dogmatic perceptions of life and move to difficult decisions with courage and ownership.

I follow strict professional instructions and strong ethical principles.

I faithfully follow the instructions and the code of ethics of the coaching professional practice.

I am informed about the new research findings and the new coaching approaches.

Depending on your goal and what you want to gain from coaching, together we will decide the duration of the coaching intervention (e.g., long-term, short-term) as well as its focus (focus on the solution, character strengths, existential, etc.).

10 + 1 questions to find out if Coaching is right for you?

Coaching is not for everyone! Here are 10 + 1 questions to think about if we can work together. You do not have to answer “yes” to all the questions. But as your Coach, I will “challenge” your way of thinking so you can make the most of our cooperation.

1. Are you willing to explore how you contribute to your situation?

This is a difficult question to ask yourself, however, is the key to the whole coaching process. If you are not willing or able to examine and observe your thinking, behavior and actions, then coaching will most likely have a limited impact. Those who really benefit from Coaching work to become aware of how their behaviors affect themselves (self-awareness), others and situations (awareness).

2. Do you want to work on making changes?

As your coach I can help you create action plans success and improved performance, but I cannot implement them myself. If you are unwilling to work on implementing action plans, you may not gain much from coaching. You have to do the hard work if you want results. If not, you may just be wasting your money and time.

3. Do you consider yourself responsible for your life?

There are people who come asking me to infuse them with the desire to act (cheerleading). I explain to them that I cannot do that. But I can help them clarify what they want, why they want it and how to get it. They are responsible for the implementation.

If you are not willing to take ownership of your commitments or decisions, then even the best coach in the world will not be able to help you succeed. That does not mean you have to be perfect. But you must be willing to take on the responsibility that falls to you.

4. Do you believe in growth mindset?

The way we think can affect our ability to make changes. Carol Dweck’s book “Mindset” talks about the difference between a fixed mindset and a growth mindset. What mindset you have will significantly affect the effectiveness of our coaching sessions.

In the static mentality you believe that your abilities are innate and determined from birth. In the growth mindset you believe that while you have many natural talents, you also have the ability to learn and grow through courage, perseverance and focused effort.

A static mindset does not match up with my coaching philosophy. But if you have a growth mindset, you will be able to change and as your coach I will be able to help you speed up the process of learning skills and behaviors, and enhancing your character strengths.

5. Are you curious?

One of the most important stages in the personal development process is the “why” (curiosity) phase. We want to learn and understand everything. While it may be exhausting to explore the “why”, this attitude proves to be a very good indicator of success. People who are willing to ask “why” over and over again are much more likely to find the causes and make fundamental changes in their behavior, action implementation and thinking.

6. Can you see the situation objectively?

An important and useful part of the coaching process is getting feedback. Some things will be hard to accept – especially when you are hearing them for the first time. Your ability to move forward with courage and faith will determine if you are able to become aware of a situation or if you choose to be defensive without a willingness to learn.

7. Are you coming with a purpose?

Coaching sessions do not always end with a specific action or a goal, but there must be an overarching purpose for creating a brighter future. If you need a friend to chat with, you will need to look elsewhere. You may not be supported to become a better leader or person, but you will not have to worry about facing the truth.

8. Are you determined to commit to action?

The discussion about change is interesting, but you need to be willing to commit to action at some point. This will automatically put you out of your comfort zone. If your problems were easy, you would have already solved them! I will not tell you what to do. However, I will support you to make your own choices, create an action plan and dedicate yourself to its implementation.

9. Do you accept your weaknesses and mistakes?

If you can not accept your weaknesses, reflect on your failures or explore your mistakes, coaching is not for you. The coaches who make the most out of coaching are those who have the courage to speak openly and trust me. Hiding things from the person you hired to support you improve creates insurmountable obstacles in the process! Trust goes hand in hand with the courage to be exposed (vulnerability).

10. Do you think coaching is a luxury?

Coaching adds value to your life. How much does it cost you not to achieve your goal? How long are you willing to let a problem (or many) torment you? How much longer will you feel “out” and “without energy”? If you treat coaching as a life investment, imagine what can change in your life!

11. Do you want to be a force of positive influence?

I enjoy seeing my coachees benefit personally, but it is also important to be a force of positive influence, action and collaboration! From your position (family, work, team, etc.) you may have an impact on the career and life of others. Our lives get better when the lives of others get better. We are together in what we call Life! It is hopeful that you want to be one of these positive forces!

So what do you say? Do you want to work with me; If so, I will be happy to get to know you a little bit better!

We are the right coach for you if you are looking to enhance your goal-setting & growth mindset, to work on your personal development through self-acceptance, to handle communication problems (effective and non-violent communication) and improve your performance.

We are committed to providing an exceptional level of support and attention, based on evidence-based coaching methods and practices, always in harmony with your unique profile.

For STARAKI COACHING, social responsibility is directly related to the knowledge, evolution, action and development of the community, is voluntary and is our strategic choice.

In this context, STARAKI COACHING, in 2020 collaborated with the General Hospital of Ierapetra and the Deputy Commander Mr. Emmanuel Kallionakis, offering pro-bono intra-corporate coaching training to hospital’s staff.

STARAKI COACHING is reserved for future voluntary actions either independently or in collaboration with public and private law entities in the context of social responsibility.