Rev. Dr. Alexander Balla CMLC
manifestmylife.loa@gmail.com
https://mustardseedct.wixsite.com/mscf/about-4
Academy of Accelerated Success
Unlock the Hidden Potential of the Image of God Within You
The Reverend Dr. Alexander Balla is a trained Spiritual Care Specialist with over a decade of experience in the fields of pastoral counseling and life coaching. After serving for 10 years in the fire service as an interior structural firefighter and an emergency services chaplain, he aimed his efforts toward military chaplaincy. Following his recruit training, he became the first commissioned active duty chaplain in over 150 years to serve in the Connecticut State Guard. After receiving an honorable discharge, he found himself working in security management, where he continues to apply his knowledge of positive psychology and success coaching to his work for the advancement of his team of security professionals. The Reverend Dr. Alexander J. Balla currently serves as the Presiding Bishop of the Reformed National Catholic Church.
What is your niche (coaching focus) and how did you choose it?
Utilizing techniques grounded in pastoral coaching and advanced spiritual care, my focus is promoting success in business and professionalism in the Christian community. In my secular job, I work with my team on professional development and success coaching in the context of security management.
Who is your ideal client?
My ideal client is anyone who has a genuine interest in exploring the possibilities of exponential positive growth and extraordinary beneficial change in the context of applied Christ centered spirituality.
What inspired you to become a life coach?
My background in chaplaincy and pastoral counseling drove me to seek out new and more effective modalities. Operating in that spirit, coaching became the foundational method by which I communicate. From my day-to-day life in security management to my efforts aimed at instilling a faith-based success mindset in my clients, the principles that I’ve learned through Transformation Academy have only bolstered my knowledge and practice.
How long have you been coaching?
I’ve been coaching, in one form or another, for well over a decade.
How did you get your first client?
My first client approached me after being exposed to the social media content I was producing on behalf of my church group in the midst of the pandemic.
How has your coaching journey changed your life?
My coaching journey has had a positive impact on my entire life. Even in my current secular position working in security management, my training through Transformation Academy has brought me to new heights. My people-centered approach, which has been built almost exclusively on coaching principles, has developed into a program that focuses more on helping employees overcome dips in performance through goal setting and encouragement, rather than through disciplinary action. The results have been beyond stellar. Aside from that, my ministerial efforts, especially those aimed at offering advanced pastoral care, have only flourished because of my coaching journey. Most importantly, I’ve become a better and more well-rounded communicator, which has improved my marriage and my friendships overall.
What is the most challenging part of being a life coach?
The most challenging part of coaching is recognizing that not everyone can be coached. The whole idea is that you’re not their counselor, so you’re not there to issue mandates or make demands. You’re not necessarily there to advise either, unless you operate in a hybridized modality. Drawing the best out of someone can be exceptionally difficult, especially when the people you’re working with can’t see greatness within themselves.
What is the most fulfilling part of being a life coach?
The single most fulfilling part of being a life coach is watching people grow. Whether I’m in the office or working with a member of our church, nothing compares to seeing people exceed their own perceived limitations and chase down success on their own terms.
What has been your most inspirational coaching moment, with a client?
The most inspirational coaching moment that I’ve experienced so far happened when I was serving with Connecticut’s State Guard as a chaplain. One of the primary duties of a chaplain is to prevent any form of self-harm. With the proper authorities on standby, and provisions in place to mitigate any emergent situations, I was able to coach one of our troops into seeking voluntary immediate medical assistance. It was a tense moment, but coaching principles wound up saving a life that day, so we were all blessed to participate in that joint effort.
What is your favorite coaching activity or exercise to do with clients?
I love working with clients on auto-suggestion practices. Positive affirmations, especially in a faith-based setting, are instrumental in achieving long lasting success.
What has been the most effective strategy for finding clients and/or growing your business?
If you want to find people to work with, then you need to be more than a passing advertisement. Work your way into a community or become part of a larger company where you can put those skills to use. Don’t forget that your training through Transformation Academy carries the weight of continuing education accreditation and the foundational skills you’ll learn in the process of becoming certified are perfectly applicable to working in supervisory and managerial positions. In fact, during my last interview, one of my main selling points was that I’m a trained and certified life coach. That, along with other qualifications, earned me the position that I’m in now, and there’s more room for advancement, specifically because of the work I’ve done through Transformation Academy.
What advice would you give YOURSELF back when you first dreamed of becoming a coach?
I would honestly give myself the same advice that I give people who are just breaking into the industry now. Don’t get discouraged if your business doesn’t take off right away, because the market is saturated with self-employed untrained coaches who tend to give the rest of us a bad name. What you have to remember, however, is that your skills are in high demand in corporate settings and people-centered approaches to supervision and management are becoming the norm. Sell yourself and sell your skills in that next interview, because you’re probably exactly the type of candidate they’re actively searching for in this competitive job market. Companies and employees are tired of authoritarian managers. They need solid coaches who focus on professional development, mindset coaching and success coaching.
What is the impact you want to make in this world?
Faith has its place, but overall I want to expand beyond that vision. Every single human being deserves to see the seed of greatness within them grow and blossom. I want people to see that they can make success their lifestyle and that they can have the things in life that they want to have. It’s up to coaches like us to bring them to that place so that they can see it all for themselves and position them to chase their dreams.
Is there anything else you would like to share with Transformation Coaching Magazine readers?
Don’t give up! You’re going to find a use for the skill set you acquire in your training through Transformation Academy. You just need to be creative and resourceful. Don’t tie yourself to one vision, because you may just be missing out on the opportunity of a lifetime.
