About the Author

Jackie Harder always thought coaches were men and women who stood on the sidelines and variously shouted encouragement or colorful phrases at members of their sports teams. Imagine her surprise when, in 2003, she did a little research and discovered that "coach" had an entirely different meaning when applied to life and business. She was stunned. "Whaaat?" she said. "There's an actual profession called coaching I've been doing that my entire life and didn't even know it. That's what I want to do when I grow up!" Within five months, Jackie had a coach herself - and a coaching business - and was moving ahead. But her career as a newspaper executive and later position leading a local chamber of commerce pushed her own business into the background. Just shy of her 60th birthday, she said, "Girl, you're as close to growing up as you're going to get. Either do it all the way or let it go." That's when she decided to go for it to focus everything she had on helping other women succeed. Jackie is a guest blogger for Huffington Post, has been quoted as a time management expert in The Times of India, and most recently had an article published on CapitolStandard.com, a website for "Washington's Young & Powerful." She has coached women all over the world - including the United Kingdom, Pakistan and Colombia - and throughout the United States as well. She has a massive following on LinkedIn, sharing her expertise through her daily posts as well as through longer "how-to" articles on everything from tips on making the transition from employee to entrepreneur, what to do if you think you're about to be fired, and how to stop giving away your services. She also interacts with fans on Facebook and with her Twitter "tweeple." Jackie is a native Minnesotan, who left the cold, long winters as soon as she could and headed for Florida. She's been a resident of the Florida Keys since 1975 and can't imagine living anywhere else. Except maybe San Diego. Her college degree is in journalism and communication, with a double minor in sociology and rhetoric and public address from the University of Florida. Twice divorced ("two and through," she says), Jackie shares her home with two cats, Brando and Simba, who are alternately adorable or major pains in the butt. She would love to hear from you. Email jackie@key-dynamics.com if you have any questions about coaching or to set up a call. The first one is on her!