John Fialkowski
About

About John Fialkowski

I’ve always been interested in how people work — what motivates them, what they avoid, and what helps them move forward when things feel stuck. Over time, that curiosity turned into practice: listening closely, asking better questions, and helping people take responsibility for what they decide to do next.
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 don’t need more advice. They need space to think clearly, be heard without judgment, and sort out what they actually want.
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, and tired of spinning. They’re dealing with career changes, difficult work environments, leadership pressure, or decisions that carry real consequences.
My role isn’t to motivate or direct — it’s to help you slow things down just enough to get clear, decide intentionally, and follow through. The work is practical, grounded, and focused on decisions that hold up outside the conversation.
  • Make sense of what’s actually going on (not just how it feels).
  • Translate experience into clear direction you can act on.
  • Follow through — with accountability, not pressure.
Background
These perspectives were shaped in real work environments — restaurants, hotels, retail, and nonprofit community building — places where expectations are high, resources are limited, and accountability isn’t optional. Working in those settings taught me how people behave under pressure, how systems influence behavior, and why clarity 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 and take responsibility for what they decide to do next.
If you’re ready to get clear and follow through, we’ll likely work well together.
Start with a 20-minute intro call
20 minutes • audio only • we’ll figure out what’s stuck and the best next step

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.