Testimonials

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Maria is committed to your success. It was very clear that I had her rapt attention, and she was there to listen. She wasn't telling me what to do. Instead, she was enabling me to see a better way forward.”  

— C. Pizzute, M.D.

"Maria helped me lay foundational groundwork that reassured me that this career is a good choice for me--and that I will be successful in it.

She's been incredible at providing solutions and creating connections between really different ideas and situations. She listens and carefully repeats what you’ve said, in a way that makes you see it in a whole new light. Our work stays with me between sessions.” 

— S. Kelly, PhD

“Working with Maria has been an incredibly empowering experience and a huge success for my staff and me. She taught me a lot, not only about successfully leading teams and effectively making positive changes, but also about myself, the type of leader I want to be and know I can be. 

Maria provides guidance and mentorship. A good listener and insightful, she has helped me improve my communications and executive presence. Maria is an excellent communicator, possessing the talent and ability to effectively coach teams through challenging experiences.” 

— J. AlSawadi Sr. Director

"Maria was recommended to me as an Executive Coach who can provide personalized feedback regarding my leadership skills and current work situation. Little did I know that Maria’s feedback would not only be applicable to my work, but to almost every other area of my life. She provided me with tools to acquire skills on how to focus on my strengths, how to be politely assertive and authentic, and how to communicate more effectively. 

Maria has a very impressive industry background, but what sets her apart is her communication skills and her ability to listen diligently and understand her client’s unique position in order to provide sincere and customized feedback." 

— G. Secken, PhD

“I was ready for a career transition. I engaged Maria to support my exploration, search and transition into the next phase of my career. Maria analyzed my skill set and used evidence-based assessments to help me understand my career trajectory. She helped boost my confidence by offering different resources for interviewing, ways of identifying my strengths and areas where I could improve. The results of Maria’s coaching were everything that I could have imagined--and more!” 

— K. Gilliam

“Maria is an exceptional coach whose real-world experience is evident in every insight she shares. Her guidance has been invaluable, and her true strength lies in helping me realize that I already have the answers within me. She’s equipped me with the tools to uncover those answers in real time, which has been a transformative experience.” 

— F. Ross, Technology Leader

Get unstuck and get the role you really want! So awesome to have Maria's personal coaching lessons in a workbook! Maria was a successful exec turned coach to pay it forward. Her techniques, provide clarity, confidence and the right amount of push outside your comfort zone. With her advice, I was able to get the long overdue promotion I was working toward! 

— Brett, Technology leader

Work It, Works! Do the work, get results. Change your Life!  Maria has been my career coach for years, and I am thrilled to have a book to reference in addition to our annual sessions. She helped me get out of my own way to see my potential and move through my original goal and beyond. Her methods prove results. My life has forever changed since meeting Maria and working through her exceptional program. 

— Kelly, Design and Construction Industry leader

Advocate for your career self. Maria knows it's about YOU and not your employer: "Work It!" defines how to career intentionally so that you can stop waiting to be “anointed and appointed.”

You'll learn to advocate for your career self through Maria's "courage-then-confidence" approach. In addition to your career journey's kick in the butt, Maria Kyriakos guides you to customize a practical way for you to personally connect with your most career-supportive network--in a way that does NOT make you cringe. This is the perfect approach for experiential learners like me who appreciate being guided authentically--and on purpose--using an expert's tried and true rigor. I learned so much! 

— Lenora, Business Development Consultant*

Practical and actionable guidance for your career. I’ve worked with Maria for many years. Her Three-Pillar approach and coaching model are grounded in practical application, experimentation, and skill building. I’ve successfully used the connection building and communication skills to increase my influence and impact, across a variety of business cultures and leadership styles. I’m strategically managing my career and achieving the goals I’ve set for myself, and this book has a lot of practical, straight forward guidance that anyone can apply. I’ve found Maria to be so wise and helpful in my own career development - so excited she’s made her expertise available for all of us! 

— Kelsey, HR leader multi-industry

Practical, actionable, easy-to-understand and highly motivating. If you are in a leadership position or want to manage your career instead of having others mismanage it for you, Maria Kyriakos' advice is spot on. Work It is extremely clear and well structured, easy to read and follow, filled with great examples and practical, immediately actionable pointers for outer actions and inner reflection. It made me sit up and pay attention. I've watched Maria walk her talk for years. She knows this material from the inside out, has an easy-to-read style that is fun and quick, and makes you think, while prodding you past the stubborn points to action that makes a difference. 

— Wendy, Transformation Expert*