“I have been working with Fiona on and off since 2016, before I commenced my first CEO role in a healthcare environment. I have found the coaching over the years to have been really rewarding. It has helped build my confidence as a leader and, also through reflection on my leadership skills, learn what type of leadership style I have and identify areas for improvement. Fiona was a phenomenal listener and gave me fantastic tips to improve my performance. This was done whilst creating a safe yet challenging environment. The opportunity to have practice runs of tough conversations I needed to have, helped build my confidence and also how to ensure that my message was getting across, providing little room for ambiguity. I truly valued her insight and personal attention. I look forward to working with her again in the future”
Muireann CEO in healthcare organisations
“Fiona recently guided me through a challenging period both in a group and one-to-one setting. Having been made redundant and the Covid-19 pandemic effectively closing the only industry I’d ever worked in and was so passionate about. She quickly helped me identify my transferable skills and competencies enabling me to package and competently communicate these skills to explore new career opportunities. In a very real and pragmatic way she helped me to objectively see what I had to offer to different industries and employers giving me the boost of confidence and positivity I needed to succeed in my job hunt. Fiona is, without doubt, the reason I am employed and happy in my new career in a new industry.”
Simon, Product /Program Manager Formerly Travel now in Retail.
“I have been working with Fiona Burke of Burmac Solutions for over 2 years now. Fiona’s business acumen is invaluable in terms of the advice, different view, and perspective she offers which in many cases may not have been considered previously. She is always focused and wholly present, a keen listener and will regularly check back to ensure she understands the context. This was very inciteful for me in the initial meetings with Fiona as it quickly identified my problem of mixed messages, and the importance of clear, purposeful communication. Our meetings are scheduled weekly, with an agreement in advance of the focus of the session. She is very experienced and can be uncompromising in terms of spending the time to getting something right as opposed to flying through the agenda. She always has a fresh perspective and a collaborative approach. It may not always be what we want to hear but invariably it is the right call. Fiona will challenge behaviour to ensure we get the best of ourselves. Fiona will make a positive difference wherever she goes, we are very lucky to have her talent.”
Yvonne MD of Medical Market Research
“As a Senior Leader in the Med Tech/Pharma sector, I have had the opportunity to work with a few coaches at different times throughout my career. Fiona coached me at a very critical and challenging time, where despite being very experienced, I was struggling to thrive and if I am honest survive the work situation, I was in. I already had several sessions with another experienced coach that did not help my situation. Fiona stood out from other coaches I have experienced in her ability to extract and reflect a deep holistic understanding of my situation, even though I was unable to articulate it clearly or understand it myself at that time. She was excellent and helping me to unpick the situation and see it clearly, which meant it was then possible to find a way forward. Another aspect of Fiona’s style that sets her apart, is a combination of gentleness, coupled with straight-talking & challenging. Fiona has the ability in making you accountable for what you have committed to do, to the extent that you just don’t renege, so is very successful in achieving coaching goals or objectives. With Fiona as a coach, you will achieve things you think were not possible.”
Edel Senior Leader in the Med Tech/Pharma
“Fiona provided leadership and career coaching over the past 3 years where she assisted with preparation for interviews to drafting presentations for senior leaders in the company. I would highly recommend Fiona as she is an inspiring, motivational coach and leader. She has excellent communication skills and has been truly exceptional in the guidance and coaching she has provided to me. Fiona''s leadership experience across pharma and other industries really added huge value to my career.”
Mary Divisional Director EMEA Pharma
“Right from the off Fiona put me at ease and I was very comfortable discussing my career with her at all times. She was incredibly organised and provided me with a very smart framework for me to approach my particular issue. I would highly recommend Fiona to anyone looking for career coaching or help with a specific career issue.” Philip Business MD Technology sector
“When we started on this journey I judged that I did not have a productive relationship with my DVP due to my undisciplined behaviours and needed to change. I found Fiona’s approach to be flexible and adaptable, akin to …” let’s see where this goes”, she experimented with different approaches/techniques throughout. It was great to viscerally understand that I would purposely sabotage an engagement just for emotional satisfaction. The things that most resonated for me were
Becoming more self-aware, I now do daily Journaling and I find it very useful.
Greater insights of where others are coming from using, the disc quadrants as a framework for that discussion
Helping me to take responsibility for identifying new challenges and make real contingency plans for my career.
Helping me to see the destructive impact my behaviour was having on others
I appreciated Fiona’s positive approach and flexibility, somehow she enabled me to trust her and feel psychologically safe. I always felt that she had my best interest at heart and supplied me with plenty of encouragement, coupled with also looking closely at my missteps in key relationships. Thanks a lot for this adventure and support.
Joe Divisional Director Technology sector
Fiona brings a uniquely warm, compassionate, and perceptive approach to her work as an executive coach and mentor. With a great sense of fun and empathy, she quickly builds rapport and trust with her clients. She has a wonderful ability to challenge in a supportive way, probing to identify the key issues and unspoken truths of a particular situation. Her style is respectful and encouraging, helping me identify new directions and achieve clarity of thinking. Fiona is very solutions-focussed, and she pays real attention to the needs of everyone to help make sustainable change. She has a great passion for coaching, and a genuine desire to support people that helps her stand out in this field. Enthusiastic, personable and with huge self-awareness, Fiona has been invaluable as a sounding board and mentor over several years of working in the healthcare industry.
Adrienne Marketing Director Healthcare
I suffer from severe social anxiety. I have a hard time to open to people and be myself in front of others. I lack confidence, will and ability to deliver when needed……That is how I would describe myself before the whole experience with Fiona.I met Fiona Burke at JobSeeker course for the unemployed. She worked as a volunteer there as a coach facilitator, we could say team leader. Since the first day, her calmness, guidance, expertise, and professional approach helped me to slowly open, get involved in discussions, slowly start to believe in myself, and my abilities. I learned how to approach certain situations, focus on what matters. The most important part of this process was the time after the course finished. Fiona offered to have scheduled weekly meetings to discuss jobseeking strategies and to keep me motivated. She offered to do weekly coaching with her on her own free time, which I hugely appreciated and gladly agreed to. At the end of it all, I was able to deliver when I needed it the most. I am so happy to say I now have a great job in a great company. All thanks to Fiona. I was lucky to be part of her team, to meet someone that really cares. I grew as a person and as a professional. It has been a life-changing journey, I would, without doubt, recommend Fiona.
Tomas Customer Service Tech sector