Jody Michael Associates - Chicago, Illinois

Megan Hughes

Jody Michael is hands down one of the best things that has ever happened to me. I have been working with Jody for a year and we have touched on and changed so many aspects of my life. I've become a better employee, manager, friend, daughter, sister and partner. I have done both one on one coaching with Jody and attended the Accountability Mirror and Energy Leadership all day workshops that Jody hosts. These have left me with new tools and strategies for my personal and professional life. I am now working with Jody as I transition to the next step in my career on strategies for interviewing, negotiation and finding that right next position as well as strategies to enhance my personal life. The advice I've received and the work that I have invested has benefited me in so many ways, I recommend JMA 100%.

Marie Shaver

I started seeing Jody in mid January for personal and professional coaching. I did not really know what to expect since I have not seen a "life" coach before, but it's been a helpful experience and I'm looking forward to seeing the continued results I achieve working with her.

Jody has experience in corporate America so she can relate to my experiences and she makes you feel comfortable from the very first appointment you have with her. She's intuitive and accomplishes changes/results with you in a quick manner. There were and are so many things I was doing that are detrimental to myself that I was aware of (and some I was not so aware of) that Jody has helped me to manage that I did not know how to manage before seeing her. She's compassionate about what she does and knows exactly how to relay to you and your specific situation. Within a week of meeting with her I was feeling better and more powerful with my life. It was because of the questions she was asking me that made me really think about how I was treating myself, others and where I wanted to be and go both personally and professionally.

Just recently I attended the Accountability Mirror Workshop that Jody also hosts. It's an all day workshop you can attend that discusses various aspects of accountability that will have an immediate effect on your day to day interactions. As a direct result of attending this workshop, I have a better relationship with my boss and other colleagues. The skills taught during it, if used properly, can help you work more efficiently, more accountable and effectively. Jody gives you a few homework assignments from the workshop as well and because of those I have found myself improving each day because I think of the skills I learned and apply them each day rather than just tucking them away like I have from other seminars.

If you put the work in with Jody, she will get you results. It's not easy if you're looking to make long lasting changes, but it's well worth. Jody is a cool cat and worth every penny.

Jenelle Francois

I contacted Jody in Sept 2015. Things were in my career were not good- I'd just had a review and it went terribly. This was unknown territory for me and I knew I needed help. I worked one-on-one with Jody, as well as attending both of her workshops. The changes in my perception, attitude and confidence were huge. With Jody's coaching, I took responsibly for my part in the situation and began to make personal improvements. Despite challenges and set-backs, Jody was committed to helping me succeed in my company, but within few months I was ready to move on.
I began searching for my next job and utilized Jody's services for resume-writing and interview preparation. One of the most helpful sessions was a mock-interview. She pretended we'd never met and interviewed me for a mock job for 20 minutes. Then she reviewed my answers, body language, strengths and weaknesses. So eye-opening!
Within weeks I'd had multiple interviews (with great companies) and ended up with multiple opportunities. I was able to secure my dream job! I'm now making much more money and have much less drama; a win-win! Jody's coaching was essential to me for this transition.

Libby Lowe

I worked with Jody from June - October of 2013 and had a great experience. I went in with a strong recommendation from a friend, but I had some barriers about the idea of coaching. From our initial screening call all the way through the sessions, Jody was warm and accommodating of my schedule.

She is also honest. You won't be coddled working with Jody, which was good for me. Her mock interviews are tougher than most real interviews I've had.

During our coaching, Jody helped me rethink and understand my skills--and more importantly, understand how to present myself on paper and in person. I wrapped up my sessions feeling prepared and confident that I know what direction I want for my career and that I have the skills to succeed.

Kathleen Williams

Jody Michael was an invaluable advisor when I was considering a career change. I had worked in the corporate marketing world for six years and knew that it was time for a change--but to what? Before choosing Jody, I researched and interviewed several other career coaches, but ultimately selected her because she had far more experience than the others and her professionalism and warmth immediately put me at ease.

Through our sessions, Jody helped me to assess my skills, values and passions and gave me the tools, insight and encouragement to consider new possibilities. Thanks to her, I have taken an active role in creating my own career by starting a marketing business. I now have more flexibility, opportunity for creativity and confidence that I am on the right path. Jody's expertise and guidance was worth every penny.

Coaching comes so naturally to Jody. It is reassuring to find someone who is obviously doing what they love and doing it well. Jody is knowledgeable, compassionate and inspiring and I would sincerely and highly recommend her to those struggling with any aspect of their career.

Jennifer Ames

Jody Michael is an exceptional coach and human being. I initially met her when we hired her to conduct a 360 degree review of one of my key team members. Her observations and recommendations were spot on and transformative. Over the course of our follow-up conversations, the depth and quality of her insight blew me away! Soon afterwards, I started working with her one-on-one, and it has changed my life.

The skills I have acquired from working with Jody transcend industry (I already have a coach who is specific to my industry), and have had a profound impact on in how I interact with my team, my clients, my spouse and even my children. She has given me tools to gain control of my life, to be a more effective communicator, to manage how I feel throughout my day, and to enable to me to remain calm and make thoughtful choices, even in the craziest of situations.

My experience with Jody has been so helpful that at the end of last year, I hired Jody to host an all day seminar with my team. It was a gift to them to help them personally and professionally. Her seminar was followed by two one-on-one coaching sessions for each team member. The impact of my investment is already visible in our office. Some of my team members were more receptive than others which is to be excepted. For a few, it has been a game changer and worth every penny.

I highly recommend Jody for anyone who is ready to make significant changes in their lives. She has a uncanny ability to recognize what may be holding you back, and will give you the tools to overcome it.

Michael Turk

I remember my initial phone conversation with Jody as I told her my situation and goals, and she said "You know you really need to work with me. I can help you achieve that". And, from that beginning whenever Jody spoke I listened, and I listened not only because of her super successful track record. But, she just has a way of making you believe that anything is within reach.

One of the many things Jody does well is to ask the questions that really made me think about what I thought were obstacles to my goals. I wanted someone to challenge my ideas/thoughts and Jody did exactly that. She is very easy to talk with and that helped keep the conversations real. Another really valuable part of working with Jody is her sharing relevant stories in her life about how she handled certain personal/business situations. What i saw was a woman who doesn't let anything stop her. If she has a goal and idea, she finds a way to get it done, and I have tried to incorporate that thinking into my life. For me the whole process was a real learning experience. Each week something new was uncovered, and she will challenge you to rethink your sticking points. In my case I really sort of knew the direction I wanted to go to, but was sort of stuck unable to move forward because of obstacles I put in my head. However, after working with Jody I have the confidence to move forward and to move the obstacles to the side.

I had worked with another career/business coach in 2011 and went through the process with a lot of excitement. However, in the end I really didn't make any changes that I knew I needed to make. I let the obstacles really stop me from starting. Working with Jody really gave me the confidence to say to myself "Yeah, I can do that, and there's always a way".

I look forward to the day I can work with her again.

Colin Trent

I worked with Jody in the summer of 2013. I had been working in a career that was unfulfilling and seemed to be getting worse the more money that I made. I wanted to feel connected to my work and actually enjoy what I was doing, not just working for a paycheck. I felt stuck, until I visited Jody.

Jody helped me work through the issues that were holding me back and helped me find direction in my career switch. For me, the self exploration part of the process was the most helpful. I ended up putting my time and energy into an industry that I had once before thought of going into, but working through it with Jody gave me the energy and direction I needed to actually make it happen. Since working with her, I've switched careers, moved to Colorado, and couldn't be happier in what I'm doing.

I would highly recommend seeing Jody if you are stuck and looking for a more fulfilling career. I truly believe I'd be in the exact same place I was 1.5 years ago if it wasn't for working with her.