President’s Log: Nemy Lim

Today we are privileged to hear from Nemy Lim, 2013-2014 ICFP president.

First, some background. Tell us a little about yourself today as a coach and how you got here; an interesting fact about yourself that people probably don’t know.

I retired from corporate life in mid-2010 after being with two pharmaceutical companies for 35 years. I was assigned overseas for my last 8 years, so when I came back to Manila I did not have a routine to fall back on. So, I considered various options of what to do professionally moving forward in addition to the usual retirement activities of playing golf, travelling and the like. I was fortunate that my company allowed me to go through transition coaching (where I met Ruby Palma, who was then working with a leading consulting group and who facilitated the process with me).

It was there that I decided that I did not really want any of the options I were considering (get another job, put up a pharma business or be a consultant to a company). I started considering being an executive coach based on my previous experience of having been coached when I was first appointed as managing director. It was through Ruby’s old group that I got to learn about Julius’ and Benchmark’s ACTP course which I took 6 months after my retirement. In hindsight, I am very happy with my decisions and its outcomes.

Give us a quick description of your time as president of ICF Philippines. What was the single most pressing crisis – political, economic, or financial that occupied your mind and that of your clients during your time as president?

I became president of ICFP, I think, in 2013. The organisation was still in its infancy. The focus was how to make the most of what little (few members and little funds) we had, i.e., learning sessions, ensuring that members understand the code of ethics and creating awareness of the coaching profession.

As for external crises, I can’t think of anything significant other than just to keep ICFP going and keeping the members interested.

How would you compare that crisis with the current pandemic that we are dealing with?

This current pandemic is extraordinary. I think it is beyond compare

How did you help your clients through the crisis at the time? How differently (or similarly) are you applying that approach to your clients today?

Of course, these times are more challenging, intense and stressful. However, many of the same tools still apply like staying focused on what is within our control, being genuinely interested in others, being open to possibilities, etc.

As a leader yourself, what theme would you build on for today’s environment? What message do you have to all coaches on Defying Challenging Times?

One of the best books, I think, written on overcoming challenging times is Jim Collins ‘Great by Choice’ which is the product of his research on companies that even flourished during the financial crisis and I think his findings can be spot on themes (sorry, not just one) for these times. These are: 1) Fanatical Discipline, 2) Empirical Creativity and 3) Productive Paranoia. The messages in the book are so appropriate for now.