Episode Description
Does building a coaching practice in an unfamiliar market ever follow a predictable script? For Jaya Bhateja, MCC, it certainly didn’t. In this episode of Growth Dialogues, host Venkat sits down with Jaya — ICF Excellence Guru Awardee, Forbes Coaching Council Member, and one of India’s most respected coaching voices — to unpack what it really takes to build a practice when the market itself is still learning what coaching is.
Jaya candidly shares the emotional trigger behind her 2010 pivot out of the corporate world, the years of quiet rejection that followed, and the moment she stopped selling coaching altogether. She reveals how she adapted Western coaching methodology to India’s analytical, solution-first culture, why contracting is the skill most coaches underinvest in, and how she slowly built a brand that now draws corporate work to her door. Throughout the conversation, Jaya also weighs in on where AI fits into the future of coaching — and why mediocrity won’t survive the shift.
At the heart of Jaya’s approach lie cultural intelligence, honesty, and craft over credentials. This episode will resonate with both new and seasoned coaches, offering hard-won lessons on navigating a market that rewards patience, adaptation, and continuous self-work.
Who should tune in?
- Aspiring and experienced coaches, especially in Asian markets
- Leadership and executive coaches navigating cultural context
- Corporate professionals exploring a shift into coaching
- Coach trainers and mentors building the next generation of practitioners
Podcast Themes
- Transitioning from Corporate Life to Coaching
- Adapting Western Coaching Methodology to Indian Culture
- The Art of Contracting and Re-Contracting
- Building Multiple Revenue Streams as a Coach
- The Role of AI in the Future of Coaching
Show Notes
00:00 Introduction and Jaya’s Background
00:23 The Emotional Trigger: From Corporate Crossroads to Coaching
02:29 Selling Coaching in an Unready Indian Market
04:20 Building Trust with Early Clients
05:46 The Pivot: Mentoring and Coach Training
07:09 What Jaya Asks Aspiring Coaches
08:07 Adapting Western Methodology to Indian Culture
10:34 Managing Client Expectations for Quick Results
12:43 Making Coaching Financially Sustainable in India
14:27 Handling Clients Who Want Answers, Not Questions
17:18 AI in Coaching: Finding the Middle Path
19:53 The Evolving Landscape of Coaching in India
22:02 Closing Reflections
Jaya Bhateja is a Master Certified Coach (ICF) with 20+ years of experience in leadership and coaching. She is an ICF Excellence Guru Awardee, Forbes Coaching Council Member, former ICF Global Board Member, and ex-Accenture Strategy Leader. Through Abhyudaya Coach, she runs ICF-accredited coach training programs for ACC, PCC, MCC, and ACTC credentials, and works with organizations on coaching culture strategy, ROI measurement, and executive development. Jaya has coached senior leaders from Microsoft, BCG, Accenture, Flipkart, Tata Group, Schneider Electric, Infosys, and many more, creating a safe yet challenging space for leaders to unlock their potential.