One-on-One Coaching

Get beyond burnout and redefine leadership on your own terms.

The struggle is real.

You're passionate about making your library a vibrant community resource, but lately it feels like you're constantly putting out fires instead of moving forward with your vision. With so many competing priorities, it's challenging to focus on what truly matters.

Your open-door policy has always been a point of pride, but being constantly available is preventing you from getting deep work done. Between staff needs, board meetings, and community demands, it's becoming harder to protect time for your personal life.

You want to move your library forward, but it feels like walking a tightrope between making needed changes and keeping your team's morale up. And when the pushback comes, you catch yourself wondering if you're doing it all wrong. It's enough to make anyone's head spin.

Team dynamics keep you up at night. When conflicts arise among employees or departments, you want to support everyone while maintaining professional boundaries – but finding that balance isn't always easy.

You're spending more and more time defending your collections, protecting staff positions, and fighting for basic funding. You remain determined to ensure everyone in your community maintains access to the resources they need, but the constant battle is exhausting.

You are at a crossroads. Perhaps you’ve reached a ceiling in your professional growth, or organizational dysfunction is taking its toll. Either way, you’re considering applying for a leadership position at another library or wondering if you should pursue opportunities outside the profession altogether.

The SoulFire Collective can help.

As a library leader, you're not just managing books and resources – you're building welcoming public spaces, leading diverse teams, and transforming lives through meaningful programs and services.

But let's be real - between juggling endless priorities, sitting in back-to-back meetings, and constantly being asked to do more with less, it's tough to stay connected to that initial spark. Leading a complex organization takes so many different skills, and it can feel overwhelming trying to master them all.

That's where the SoulFire Collective comes in. We partner with library directors and managers like you to help you elevate your leadership while maintaining work-life balance. Our comprehensive coaching approach addresses eight essential pillars of leadership success:

Dynamic Communications: Master the art of clear, compelling communication that inspires people to action and creates buy-in for your vision.

Influencing Others: Build the strategic relationships that allow you to drive positive change across your library.

Emotional Intelligence: Develop deeper self-awareness and the ability to effectively navigate workplace dynamics.

High-Energy Relationships: Nurture professional relationships that energize rather than drain, fostering a positive workplace culture.

Problem-Solving: Enhance your ability to analyze challenges, identify innovative solutions, and lead your team through change.

Time Management: Strategically allocate your time to focus on what matters most, both professionally and personally.

Productivity: Implement personalized systems that maximize your efficiency while reducing overwhelm and decision fatigue.

Workplace Wellness: Develop sustainable practices that support your wellbeing and model healthy work-life boundaries for your team.

Hey there!

I’m Brandy Sanchez.

I'm a librarian, certified leadership coach, productivity expert, and founder of the SoulFire Collective.

Through personalized coaching and workshops, I help library leaders develop high-performing teams while creating meaningful community impact and maintaining work-life balance.

With over 20 years of library experience, I've seen firsthand what works (and what really doesn't) in library leadership.

Since 2021, I’ve had the privilege of providing training and coaching services for staff at over 40 public, academic, and school libraries.

  • "Before coaching with Brandy, I was working 60-hour weeks. Through her insightful coaching, I uncovered solutions that were there all along – I just needed the right questions to bring them to light. Today, I maintain better boundaries with my time and have established a healthier daily routine."

    E.K., Department Manager

  • "Working with a coach and trainer who truly understands the day-to-day realities of library management made all the difference. The one-on-one coaching provided a safe, judgment-free space to discuss personal challenges."

    Kendra R., Branch Manager

  • “Prior to working with Brandy, I was a bit skeptical about my own ability to change my perspective. I found my sessions to be nourishing and reassuring. Under Brandy’s gentle guidance, discussions became more than “vents,” but instead a helpful amalgam of both sharing feelings and possible solutions or new approaches.”

    N.K., Library Director

How does coaching work?

STEP 1: ASSESSMENT

Your coaching journey begins with an Energy Leadership™ Index (ELI) Assessment. Listed among Forbes’ “Assessments Every Executive Should Take,” the ELI identifies your leadership strengths and potential blind spots.

STEP 2: CREATE A GROWTH PLAN

You'll work with a certified leadership coach to create a customized professional development plan based on your ELI Assessment results as well as your unique situation and goals. 

STEP 3: REGULAR COACHING SESSIONS

With a solid growth plan in place, you'll meet with your coach on a weekly or biweekly basis for up to 90 minutes. You'll discuss your progress, work to overcome any obstacles, and celebrate your wins along the way.

STEP 4: LIVE, WORK, AND LEAD WITH GREATER EASE & BALANCE

Achieve what you once thought was impossible, and enjoy a life and career that reflect your vision of success.

Ready to take your leadership from good to exceptional? Whether you're seeking deeper insights into your leadership style, craving strategic clarity, or ready for a complete leadership transformation, the SoulFire Collective has designed these coaching experiences specifically for library leaders like you.

Each offering builds upon a proven framework for leadership success. From a single powerful assessment to comprehensive ongoing support, choose the path that best fits your professional development journey.

For library systems looking to elevate their entire administrative or leadership team, group coaching packages are available. To learn more, please schedule a consultation call.

Choose your own adventure.

Energy Leadership™ Index Assessment & Personalized Debrief

Listed among Forbes’ “Assessments Every Executive Should Take,” the ELI identifies your leadership strengths and potential blind spots. It also measures your ability to take positive, productive, and sustainable action.

After you complete this 20-minute assessment, you’ll meet for a 90-minute debrief with an ELI Master Practitioner. Together, you’ll review your results and draft a personalized professional development plan.

Should you choose to proceed with coaching after completing your ELI Assessment and debrief, this fee will be applied to your coaching package.

Your Investment: $250

Strategic Leadership Intensive

Transform your leadership approach in just four powerful sessions. No more second-guessing your decisions or feeling pulled in every direction. This focused coaching experience is designed for library leaders who are ready to shift from constant firefighting to confident, strategic action.

Through personalized coaching, you’ll:

  • Define your authentic leadership vision and definition of success.

  • Master a practical framework for evaluating and prioritizing competing demands.

  • Create a concrete 6-month action plan aligned with your strategic goals.

Start each day with clarity about your priorities, knowing you're focused on what truly matters for your library's success.

Your Investment: $750

Catalyst Coaching

Every great leader reaches a point where they're ready to evolve - to move from competent manager to inspiring leader. Through Catalyst Coaching, you'll discover your unique leadership voice, build sustainable systems for leading with confidence, and create lasting, positive change in your library.

This isn't a one-size-fits-all program. Your coaching journey is carefully crafted to address your specific challenges, leverage your natural strengths, and align with your organization's needs.

This comprehensive coaching experience includes:

  • An ELI Leadership Assessment and Debrief

  • Personalized development plan

  • Regular one-on-one coaching sessions (weekly or biweekly)

  • Ongoing progress tracking and accountability

  • Customized leadership tools and frameworks tailored to your needs

  • Continuous support via email/Voxer between sessions

What sets Catalyst Coaching apart is its focus on your complete leadership transformation. This isn't about quick fixes or generic solutions. It's about developing your unique leadership presence and creating sustainable change that impacts your entire library.

Packages starting at $1450

Monthly payment plans available

Here’s what others are saying about SoulFire Collective coaching.

“Coaching had a positive impact on my performance.”

“Coaching assisted me in achieving my goals.”

“I have developed new insights and knowledge as a result of coaching.”

“I would recommend coaching to other leaders.”

  • "The coaching experience has impacted both my personal and professional growth, teaching me the importance of self-care and helping me challenge my limiting beliefs."

    Jackie H., Library Director

  • “I was seeking some support and clarity for my mental health at work. This is such a great opportunity to carve out time to take care of yourself, and Brandy is such a wonderful, empathetic, and organized leader for this important work.”

    Sarah M., Collections Manager

  • "The one-on-one coaching experience was invaluable in validating my leadership instincts while expanding my problem-solving toolkit."

    Susan Kromrie, Assistant Library Director

Lead with clarity and confidence.

Your leadership journey deserves dedicated support. Together, we'll create a personalized roadmap to help you become the confident, impactful leader your library and community need – while maintaining the balance and wellbeing you deserve.

Let's connect for a complimentary strategy session to explore how coaching can support your vision for both personal and professional success.