John Fialkowski, career coach and founder of Career Coaching with John
About

About John Fialkowski

I’ve always been interested in how people work—what matters to them, what they avoid, and what helps them move when they feel stuck.

That curiosity became a coaching practice built around one question: What do you want to be known for?

My work helps people understand where they are, identify what matters, and turn uncertainty into action. We do not wait for perfect clarity. We choose something worth testing, act on it, learn from what happens, and adjust.

What I believe
Accountability matters.
Insight is only useful if it leads to action. If you say you’re going to take a step, we treat it as real—not theoretical.
Listening comes first.
Most people do not need more generic advice. They need space to think clearly, be heard without judgment, and determine what actually matters to them.
Work should be a fair exchange.
Effort, responsibility, and skill should be compensated honestly. When that balance breaks down, people burn out, disengage, or stay stuck longer than they should.
How this shows up in my coaching

The people I work with are often capable, thoughtful professionals who know something needs to change but cannot yet see what comes next. They may be considering a career change, struggling in a difficult workplace, questioning their direction, or wondering why their abilities are not showing up in their work.

My role is to listen closely, challenge assumptions, and push the conversation toward action. We identify what matters, choose something worth testing, try it, and use what happens to determine the next step.

  • Make sense of what is actually happening, not just how it feels.
  • Determine what matters and what you want to be known for.
  • Choose a direction, conversation, or change worth testing.
  • Take action, learn from the result, and adjust.
Background

These perspectives were shaped in real work environments: restaurants, hotels, retail, and nonprofit community building. These are places where expectations are high, resources are limited, and accountability is not optional. Working in those settings taught me how people behave under pressure, how systems influence behaviour, and why clear decisions and follow-through make such a difference.

Education & Training
Bachelor’s Degree in Urban Studies & History
McGill University
Diploma in Sales & Marketing Management
University of British Columbia
Certified Life Coach
Accredited professional certification
A note on fit

I work best with people who are willing to be honest with themselves, try something different, and take responsibility for what they decide to do next.

You do not need to arrive with the answer. You do need to be willing to turn uncertainty into action.

Start with a free 20-minute conversation
Twenty minutes, audio only. We will discuss where you are, what feels stuck, and what you could begin doing differently.

You can read more of my ideas and advice on the Career Coaching with John blog, where I write about career changes, leadership, and workplace challenges.