Institute Of Curiosity

Leadership Development book

Hi!
We're Kirsten & Kathy.

Many of us are conditioned to avoid discomfort and shy away from difficult conversations, especially when stressed.

Yet, these conversations offer valuable insights that can enhance understanding, strengthen relationships, and fuel business success.

Our training provides you with the tools to navigate these discussions effectively, even in high-stress situations.

With neuroscience-backed techniques, we equip you to confidently engage in any conversation by fostering deeper inquiry, exploring different perspectives, and seeking true understanding.

We’d be honored to partner with you on this journey.

 
{And yes, we really are mother/daughter} 

Who we are

Kathy Taberner
Coach, Author, Speaker, MA, CEC, PCC

Kathy Taberner Award Winning Coach Kelowna

Professional background

Kathy is committed to a life of learning.

Kathy began her ‘post kids’ learning journey as an Occupational Therapist in industry.  She developed policies and negotiated agreements between unions and management around disability management. 

Focusing on returning employees and helping them stay at work when struggling, helped Kathy see the power of leadership.  More importantly, how leadership styles impact productivity and employee health. 

Wanting to better support leaders developing their skills, Kathy knew she had to do two things. 

First, Kathy went back to school and completed her MA in Leadership and Training.  Her focus was leadership styles and emotional intelligence of women in senior leadership positions. 

Second, Kathy completed her Executive Coaching certification and Physician Coach certification. She knew above all that curiosity creates learning while coaching sustains it.

After completing her training Kathy was fortunate to be a part of a leadership development program. Kathy taught coaching communication skills to mid and senior-level leaders. She quickly recognized the need for simple and effective communication skills so leaders could have better conversations.  Especially in high-stakes situations.

As a result, she and her daughter Kirsten founded the Institute Of Curiosity.  They created a unique conversation framework rooted in curiosity so professionals can be curious not furious in any conversation.  Even in conflict.

Kathy is a member of the International Coaching Federation {ICF}. She has the Professional Certified Coach designation (PCC), served as the Vice-Chair Operations, of the Independent Review Board (IRB) which deals with all ethical complaints made against members of the ICF on a global basis, and currently sits on the Ethics Advocacy Team, a small group of ethics nerds who provide support to the ICF Boards Of Directors.

Kathy has published several articles on communication skills and ethics. She received the Prism Award from the ICF {Vancouver} for her work in healthcare supporting leaders in learning coaching communication skills.  

Kathy lives in Kelowna with her husband where she enjoys hiking, skiing, kayaking, and sharing delicious food and wine with family and friends. 

CONNECT WITH KATHY

Kirsten Siggins
Coach, Author, TEDx Speaker, BA, CEC, Certified WE-I practioner.

Best Parent Coach Kirsten Siggins Kelowna

Professional background

Kirsten holds a BA from Dalhousie University, a certificate in Executive Coaching from Royal Roads University, and is a certified Emotional Intelligence Practitioner through Learning In Action.

Kirsten began her career in the entertainment industry, working with renowned companies like Warner Music London UK, American Idol, and AOL across London, LA, and New York for over a decade.

After the birth of her first child, Kirsten decided to return to university to pursue her executive coaching certification, seeking to shift from production to a role focused on supporting people.

While coaching executives in the entertainment industry, Kirsten had two major realizations:

First, under stress, people often revert to communication patterns they learned growing up, even when they know those patterns are ineffective.

Second, most believe they communicate well, but their true abilities are tested during stressful moments, when words and reactions change in ways they don’t notice, impacting their performance.

 

Kirsten was excited to join her mom Kathy in founding the Institute Of Curiosity offering professionals skills & tools needed to navigate high-stakes conversations with confidence that drive meaningful change.

Kirsten is a TEDx speaker,  a member of the International Coaching Federation {ICF}, and CPHR Industry Partner.  She holds a Level 2 Certification in CBT Essentials from the Association for Psychological Therapies.

After 17 years in Los Angeles, Kirsten and her husband moved their two kids to Kelowna, BC, to give them a ‘normal’ life.

Kirsten is a curiosity nerd, wannabe chef, and adventurer who loves a full table, and all things design.

Speaking includes TEDx Trinity Bellwoods Women; University Of Toronto; University Of Ontario Institute Of Technology; Keynote Network of Independent School Parent Association Ontario, TO; Los Angeles Children’s Hospital Young Women Working Together Leadership Institute; Conference Of Independent Teachers Of English, TO; Keynote, CAPWHN Conference, Calgary; SoLS Leadership Conference ‘Leadership Communication’ panel, Victoria; Keynote, Coaching Summit 2015, Vancouver; Various private and public schools US & Canada.

CONNECT WITH KIRSTEN
★★★★★ 5/5
"I have worked with Kirsten and Kathy a quite a few times over the last 2 years. They have drastically changed my perspectives on approaching hard conversations. The stress levels for me have decreased a lot. They also have taught me so much about asking questions when I'm seeking data from a large group, how to really stay open, and avoid judging questions when I don't intend for them to be. Kirsten and Kathy recently came into my staff for 2 mornings to work with many who haven't heard them before. They were so easy to work with, and really customized their sessions to meet our needs. They even had identified some needs for our staff that we hadn't really identified because we were too deep in the mud. Everyone at the sessions were just blown away. It was simple shifts that, with their guidance, will be a game changer for my staff and colleagues. I can't wait to work with them again."
Christina H
"Thank you Kathy & Kirsten for your excellent presentation at the CAPWHN Conference. You truly set the stage for us to have a successful conference. Throughout the rest of the days, I heard nurses asking “Tell me more” and “I’m curious about that.” Your thoughtful and engaging presentation was just what we needed. Thank you again for coming to the 6th Annual CAPWHN Conference”
Melanie BassoConference Organizer
"We recently had Kirsten Siggins speak as a Keynote Speaker at one of our events. Her subject matter was relevant, insightful and original. Not only was she extremely well received by the audience, she was easy to work with, personable and spent extra time listening and interacting with the attendees. Her presentation and speaking style was natural, engaging and entertaining and she showed high energy and enthusiasm throughout. Kirsten is awesome and I highly recommend her."
Kerstin LueckNetwork of Independent School Parent Associations Ontario
"We brought Kathy into a team building retreat to help our staff at Kelowna Women’s Shelter explore how The Power Of Curiosity can support their efforts to work effectively as a team, and directly with their emotionally-charged situations. Kathy’s presentation provided some great tips and tools on how to have more powerful and effective conversations, and create new levels of relational connection. We were delighted with the results! I would highly recommend Kathy."
Karen MasonKelowna Women's Shelter
"I really appreciate that not only did Kirsten present the importance of curiosity but also provided practical advice and skills which can be taught to assist the audience in developing their own curiosity skills."
Jennifer Abbass DickAssistant Professor, Faculty of Healthy Sciences University of Ontario Institute of Technology
"Kirsten is an amazing facilitator! We have had opportunity to work with her in our organization (Dress for Success) on several occasions. She provides programming content for our clients under our Professional Women's Group, leading them through workshops on Visions and Values as well as on Curious Conversations. Client feedback from her sessions was so incredible (folks have asked to repeat!) that we brought her to our board to help us determine our values. Would highly recommend."
Lori StevensonExecutive Director, Dress For Success Kelowna
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