Illustrating Leadership Lesson: Leading by example

In this episode of "Illustrating Leadership," we are joined by Mindi Trimble, a seasoned college and career coach, as she shares her insights and experiences working with students on their college applications. This particular episode is dedicated to highlighting the exceptional leadership qualities of Kristina Driskill, who has played a significant role in shaping Mindi's approach as an academic coach.

Described by her students as “the bubble wrap of college & career coaching,” Mindi Trimble is the creator of the MAJORLY DETERMINED method that helps students pop with fun, stress-relieving ideas for navigating their educational journeys.

She then makes sure they don’t crack under pressure while creating personality-filled applications that get put in the ‘yes’ pile in her ACCEPTANCE ACCELERATOR program. Besides increasing acceptance rates, working with Mindi has also been known to yield financial offers ranging from 5 to even 30 times (!) return on investment.

 Mindi’s students have been accepted to the following universities: Yale, Columbia, Cornell, Princeton, Dartmouth, Brown, Georgetown, Johns Hopkins University, Rice, every University of CA campus and many other highly ranked colleges throughout the country.

 When not singing her students’ praises at her stand-up desk, you can find this UC Berkeley grad in the SoCal sunshine with her husband, twin boys, and German Sheagle or making up silly words to soprano arias using her classically trained operatic voice.

A Remarkable Leader

Mindi introduces Kristina Driskill, an extraordinary leader in the field of coaching. Mindi's journey with Christina began during her pursuit of a master's degree in operatic performance. Christina was responsible for the marketing segment of the training program at Opera Works, leaving an indelible mark with her energy and impact on Mindy.

Leading by Example

One of the core lessons Mindi learned from Kristina is the importance of leading by example. Christina's ability to connect with people and her profound impact on individuals left a lasting impression on Mindi. It taught her that it's not just about what you do but also how you do it.

Embracing Vulnerability and Authenticity

Mindi emphasizes the importance of authenticity, vulnerability, and embracing one's true self when crafting college applications. With increased competition in college admissions, colleges want to see more than just GPAs and accomplishments. They desire to know the person behind the application.

Teaching Students to Share Their Stories

As a college and career coach, Mindi guides her students to reveal their authentic stories in their applications. She encourages students to share how they've overcome challenges, recovered from setbacks, and applied those lessons to various aspects of their lives. This approach not only helps students write compelling applications but also empowers them to view setbacks as opportunities. 

Guiding the Reflective Process

Many high school students are not accustomed to reflective writing or personal memoirs. Mindi helps them navigate this process by teaching them to identify moments of truth and understand the shift that occurred in their lives. She encourages students to reflect on their feelings and needs and how their actions helped them overcome challenges.

Connect with Mindi Trimble Mentoring

If you have students between the ages of 14 and 20 and are seeking guidance for their academic and career journey, you can reach out to Mindi Trimble at Mindi Trimble Mentoring or follow her on Instagram.

 Thank you for joining us on this episode of "Illustrating Leadership." Stay tuned for more inspiring stories of leadership.

Your host, Jessica Wright, is the Founder and Career Transformation Coach at Wright Life Coaching, LLC.