Coaching

“After working with Bernadette as a coach for our team, I sought her out for one on one coaching sessions. Our discussions helped me to realign my professional goals and priorities as well as develop many new thoughts and directions for our team."

~ Beth

"Working with Bernadette was illuminating. We had numerous deep and productive discussions on mentorship, leadership, and management, and she helped me find new inspiration in my career."

~ Jason, University Law School Library Assistant Director

"Bernadette made an indelible mark on my life and my career. Her supportive, but tough nature encouraged me to finally make a change in my life that I had been scared to make. She helped me explore my values, skills, and goals in order to design a new path for myself. At any moment I questioned myself or my abilities, Bernadette was quick to question why I was doing so, empowering me to find new ways of thinking. Because of Bernadette's coaching I have greater confidence in myself, deeper knowledge of my values, and have embarked on an exciting new career path."

~ Kirsten

"I have been working with Bernadette for over the past six months, and during this time I have gained confidence in myself as a professional that I did not realize was within my being! I have grown professionally in administrative roles over the past few years, and others saw these leadership qualities, but for the first time, I am seeing these leadership qualities in myself. Bernadette is sincere, knowledgeable and I looked forward to our sessions together! She challenged my thinking in ways that allowed me to grow, and I can’t thank her enough for her time and commitment to me as a client!"

~ Higher Education Administrator

"I began coaching with Dr. Costello during a difficult transition time in my career as I moved from an Associate Director within a department to a Director who oversees the entire department. There was a lot of anxiety around the new expectations that were now placed on me, there was little guidance given to me and the department had very low morale, no trust and a lot of resentment. Dr. Costello helped me figure out what my style and approach was in building relationships, re-building trust and ensuring that the department is a productive TEAM that makes a positive impact on our students and staff. She never told me what to do but provided me guidance through insightful questions that allowed me to come up with solutions that worked for me and has ultimately made me feel much more confident in myself as a person and as a leader of my department."

~ M. Tomlin, University of Richmond

Team Coaching

"Bernadette worked with our leadership team at a time that many of us were feeling undervalued and stressed from the challenges of working in an environment that sets higher goals every year and then manages to meet and exceed those goals. Through the Energy Leadership Index Assessment and Debrief, Bernadette helped us identify what happens to our energy levels under stress and what some of our limiting beliefs and assumptions might be. As a team and individually, we’ve recognized some of our triggers and how to respond in more appropriate ways. She was also great at coaching us how to reframe questions to engage in difficult but productive conversations."

~ Marilyn, Director of Admissions

Consulting

"Bernadette led a diverse, cross-functional committee of university employees to evaluate and recommend improvements to our organization’s performance management process. Although Bernadette is an HR professional with many years of experience across multiple industries, she did not position herself as the expert with all the answers. Instead, she coached and facilitated the team, allowing us to determine the relevant issues and craft potential solutions. Her touch was deft, bringing us back on track if we strayed and summarizing key points at the end of each discussion. As a result, the group was engaged and maintained ownership of the resulting outcomes, making each of us ambassadors to the rest of our organization. She is a results-oriented professional." ~ IT Administrator

Facilitation/Team Building

"My ambitious and results-driven multigenerational team gained much from Bernadette Costello. Through the MBTI, we learned about ourselves and gained invaluable insights on one another. For my leadership team, the Energy Leadership Index provided us with the tools to become better managers and better colleagues. Knowing ourselves, discerning good from bad energy, and using tools to get ourselves back to optimal energy levels have been key to better leadership and team work."

~ Gil J. Villanueva, AVP and Dean of Admissions