I'm Nikolina
psychologist, HR expert, talent development coach, DISC Flow trainer, gestalt psychotherapist (in training)
PEOPLE FIRST. approach to developing
leaders, experts, and teams
Psychology taught me the basics of human behavior and what organizational processes should look like.
Corporate experience taught me what processes actually look like.
Psychotherapy education has added a human factor.
I don't just work with "what to do" but also with "who you are as a leader/expert." Because lasting change comes from understanding patterns, not just learning tools.
I help mid-senior leaders and teams in challenging, constantly changing circumstances regain a sense of control by focusing on our relationships and mindset. No surface-level solutions. Just a lasting change.
PEOPLE FIRST. approach combines expertise in psychology and psychotherapy, practical coaching tools, and real corporate experience.
Corporate experience in human resources
♦ Different industries (healthcare, IT, retail, biotechnology sector)
♦ Working in companies with 50 to 3000+ employees
♦ Local and international companies
♦ General HR positions and positions focused on development
♦ Cooperation with all levels of management
♦ Roles of internal and external trainer and coach
Professional development
♦ Master of Psychology
♦ Certified brain-based, solution-focused coach
♦ Train-the-trainer certificate
♦ Gestalt psychotherapist in training under supervision
♦ DISC Flow certified trainer
♦ Attended numerous smaller training courses and trainings
Practical and personal experience
♦ Experience in creating and implementing:
- internal soft skills training
- leadership programs
- personalized development
programs
♦ Coaching experience with a focus on career development and problems in relationship dynamics
♦ Various L&D projects
♦ Facilitator on panels and retreats
"Even though we had just met,
I already felt your care and dedication."
This is how my clients describe me, but not all approaches are for everyone, and that is why it is important for me to work with clients who are suited to my approach:
♦ They want real change, not quick fixes
If you're looking for a '5 steps to better leadership' or a 'motivation hack' that will fix everything overnight, I'm probably not the right person for you. But if you're willing to dive deeper and work on the real causes, not just the symptoms, then we can make big changes.
♦ Take responsibility for their own behavior and approach
No problem arises in a vacuum. In this approach, we also explore your role in the whole situation.
♦ They value honesty and transparency.
You may not always like what you hear in our sessions. But it will always be honest, with the goal in mind, and in your best interest.
♦ Understand that change is a process, not a one-time event
You won't leave the first session feeling like "problem solved." But, step by step, we'll work on an approach, tools, and techniques that will last, not just help temporarily.
♦ They believe in the power of relationships.
If you think relationships are a "nice to have" or a "must have," you're probably not a good fit. In this approach, people are the foundation of everything, and relationships are what we can build on to ensure greater satisfaction, efficiency, and ultimately results.
"Working with Nikolina was my first experience with coaching, and although I came into the process feeling as a bit of a sceptic, by the end I could see the full potential of this approach. We have worked on a difficult relationship I've had with one of my new team members that started impacting the whole team. I became aware of how much my approach as team leader has an impact on all relationships, and learned some useful techniques to help me keep communication in team more open on a daily basis. Nikolina's approach was warm, but direct, and I've appreciated her perspective on some areas I didn't think about before."
Laura W., IT Team, Team Leader
If you're not sure what working with me is like,
here's what you can expect:
1. Coaching is not therapy
Although I use knowledge and theory that also come from the field of psychotherapy in my work, this does not mean that we will analyze your childhood or talk about emotions without any goal. Sometimes it is necessary to scratch a little below the surface to become aware of previous experiences, beliefs, etc., but always with a practical and agreed-upon goal in mind.
2. The terms are structured but flexible
Coaching has its own goal, and goals serve as our compass. It is important that we have a framework and a general direction in which we move, and that we adapt the content of the appointment to your experience and everyday events and circumstances. Life requires flexibility, and I bring that flexibility into the coaching process.
3. Expect support, but also frustration :)
Every problem has several perspectives, and it is important that we look at several of them in our work. Sometimes we need support for change, sometimes an additional tool, and sometimes an honest look at how we contribute to the problem.
4. The focus is on relationships, but not just with others
We'll work on your relationships with your team, with your colleagues, with your boss. But we'll also work on your relationship with yourself because that's the foundation of all other relationships.
5. There are no quick-fix solutions
Change is a process. Sometimes slow, sometimes frustrating, and sometimes harder than we plan. If you're willing to stay in the process even when the results don't come overnight, then you're ready for big changes.
Real change happens when we start observing people as people, not just as resources.