The Transformational Journey of Dorota Jaworska

What does it take to leave behind a steady corporate career, overcome setbacks, and build a thriving coaching practice from scratch? For this visionary leader, the answer lies in unshakable resilience, lifelong learning, and a deep commitment to helping others grow.

In this captivating interview, we explore the extraordinary journey of a woman who turned her passion for human development into a powerful coaching and consulting business. From her early days in HR to becoming a globally certified executive coach, her story is a masterclass in courage, transformation, and staying true to one’s values. She opens up about her struggles navigating Poland’s competitive training market, the challenges of balancing entrepreneurship with motherhood, and her bold decision to step back to be employed at the same time as running own business.

This article dives into the pivotal moments that defined her career, including earning prestigious coaching credentials, working with international clients, and being invited to collaborate with John Mattone Global, the largest executive coaching company in the U.S. Whether it's coaching leaders through change, mentoring young professionals, or shaping HR strategies, her work continues to make a meaningful impact across industries.

If you're looking for real-world insights on leadership, career resilience, and the power of personal authenticity, this story will leave you inspired. Read on to discover how she built a legacy of growth, one client, one breakthrough, and one fearless decision at a time.

From HR Roots to Entrepreneurial Heights

Tell us about your early life, education, and career journey

I consider the year 2001 to be the beginning of my professional career and personal maturity. Right after completing my Master of Science in Engineering degree in Marketing and Management, with a specialization in Enterprise Management, I started working in a corporation – and that’s where I fell in love with HR.

For the next nine years, I worked in the HR department, where I was responsible for internal communication and soft HR areas such as employee development and motivation programs, HR processes, benefits, and CSR initiatives (Corporate Social Responsibility). These years gave me a strong foundation of practical and industry-specific skills, which later enabled me to start my own business – DORADKOM, which I continue to run today since 2011.

Thanks to running my business, choosing the best training providers in Poland and abroad, my commitment, and my “nothing is impossible” mindset, I’ve confirmed and expanded my qualifications over the years. Some of the key milestones include:

• English B2 certificate from the University of Cambridge (BEC Vantage, 2005)


• Professional Business Trainer (House of Skills, 2012)


• Associate Certified Coach (ACC – ICF Global, 2013)


• Insights Discovery™ Licensed Practitioner (2015)


• Professional Certified Coach (PCC – ICF Global, 2020)


• Certified Digital Coach (CoachHub, 2023)


• HR Manager diploma with distinction (HRCI, 2024)


• Intelligent Leadership® Executive Coaching Certification (John Mattone Global, 2025)


• Certified Strengths Coach (Strengths Community, 2025)

My passion for education was a constant driver behind all of this. One degree was never enough. I pursued additional postgraduate studies in:

• Public Relations (2003)


• Human Resources Management (2010)


• International Human Resources Management – conducted fully in English (2019)

Along the way, running my own business brought both successes and failures. The first three years were particularly challenging. The Polish training market was highly competitive and coaching was only just beginning to emerge. I invested a lot of time and energy in writing expert articles for the press and online HR portals, but that alone wasn’t enough to stay afloat financially. So I applied for business grants and hired an employee. Unfortunately, the costs and taxes became overwhelming, eventually affecting my health. I had to take a step back and return to full-time employment, though I never closed or suspended my business.

That period also coincided with a more demanding time in my personal life. My son was 11 years old and needed more of my attention. My free time outside work was dedicated to my family and developing my expertise in business, leadership, and executive coaching.

For seven years, I worked as an HR Business Partner in two recruitment agencies, which allowed me to regain stability and step away from the financial and emotional stress that came with running the business alone. During this time, I also significantly improved my English and began coaching international clients on global platforms.

Since 2013, I’ve been steadily building my personal brand as an entrepreneurial woman who overcomes obstacles and consistently moves toward developing her coaching competencies and fulfilling her purpose as a coach. In late 2024, I left full-time employment and returned to running my business full-time. Now it is my only source of income. And that was the best decision I’ve ever made. I don’t regret it for a single moment.

Coaching Leaders, Creating Impact

What is your current role, and what do you enjoy most about your work?

Currently, I do what I’m truly good at and what brings me the greatest fulfillment.

I work as a coach for corporate clients, focusing primarily on leadership development, navigating change and workplace dynamics, building stress resilience, managing emotions, enhancing effectiveness and productivity, becoming a better leader for their teams, and settling into new roles following promotions.

This is what excites me the most and brings me the greatest sense of satisfaction, especially when I receive insightful feedback, client testimonials, and strong recommendations confirming the value of our work together.

One of my personal passions is the Insights Discovery methodology, which describes individual behavioral and communication styles in professional environments. It’s a powerful tool for developing empathy and understanding among team members, helping them better interpret one another’s reactions and preferences. I use it extensively in development programs and workshops for teams and employees across various organizations.

Another pillar of my professional work is HR consulting. I support businesses in creating or improving their HR processes and programs, from recruitment and onboarding to development and wellbeing initiatives, all the way through to offboarding strategies.

The fourth area of my work, which I consider a mission, is career mentoring for young people. As the mother of an 18-year-old, I see firsthand the challenges young people face when writing their CVs, preparing for job interviews, or communicating face to face. Many of them feel uncertain and intimidated by the job market. That’s why I offer career mentoring, helping them find their footing and build confidence as they take their first steps into professional life.

Proud Moments on a Global Stage

What has been your proudest professional accomplishment?

One of my proudest professional accomplishments is stepping out of my comfort zone and coaching in English on international platforms, even when my English level was still officially assessed at B2.

That was just three years ago. Today, I have reached a solid C1 level, but what I’m most proud of is that I didn’t let the fear of not being “perfect” hold me back. I embraced the challenge, and it turned out to be an incredibly valuable experience.

What I now consider a major milestone is being invited to join a coaching project by John Mattone Global, the largest executive coaching company in the U.S. Participating in this initiative involved completing many hours of intensive training to fully understand and apply their executive and leadership coaching methodology for their corporate clients. And the process is still ongoing.

Given the cultural mindset in Poland, where many people are hesitant to speak a foreign language for fear of being judged, even when their skills are strong, I see this as a powerful personal and professional victory. I’m proud of the courage, growth, and trust I’ve built through this experience.

Turning Challenges into Growth

What is one major challenge you've faced in your career, and how did you overcome it?

I believe there were two major turning points in my career that challenged me deeply.

The first was when I had to return to full-time employment, even though I knew it wasn’t the right path for me. The second was when I decided to leave that stability and return fully to running my own business, especially during a time when the job market was uncertain, and many people were afraid to give up the security of a salaried position.

Both decisions had their pros and cons. What helped me navigate those moments was a mix of patience, perseverance, and self-awareness, understanding what truly mattered to me at that point in life, prioritizing my well-being and my family, and learning to shift gears with acceptance rather than resistance.

Supportive people around me made a big difference. Their encouragement gave me strength during transitions. Looking at my career from the outside, some might see a lot of change or unpredictability. But in truth, it all stems from my personal motto: “Live in alignment with yourself and work with your full potential.”

My core values, like curiosity, authenticity, respect, trust, and ethics, guide every choice I make. Staying true to them helped me not only overcome challenges but also grow through them.

Staying Sharp, Staying Ahead

How do you stay ahead in your industry?

I stay ahead by taking action consistently and intentionally.

I actively share my work and insights on social media, write articles on my blog, and regularly ask my clients for recommendations on LinkedIn. I attend networking events, stay engaged in my local business community, and I’m a member of a regional entrepreneur group. I’m also proud to be a co-author of the book The Success Mindset: Polish Women in Business, which will be published in June 2025.

I continuously invest in my professional development, for example, this year I fulfilled one of my dreams by becoming a Certified Strengths Coach. I also give back to the local community by organizing free personal development workshops.

Technology matters too, so I’m learning to keep up with the latest IT requirements. I'm currently working on launching my e-commerce platform, where I’ll offer my coaching services, ebooks, and the book I co-authored.

The clearest sign that I’m on the right track? I regularly receive invitations to collaborate as a business, executive, or leadership coach. To me, that’s proof that what I’m doing works.

Guiding the Next Generation

What advice would you give to young professionals aiming for success?

Step outside your comfort zone

 Success requires the courage to take action, even when it means stepping into the unknown. It’s much like coaching, a process of change that begins when you dare to leave the comfort zone.

Never stop learning

In today’s dynamic business world, continuous development is key, and for me, it has no limits. Growth isn't just about reading books, earning degrees, or attending courses. It’s a mindset and a way of life. I believe in nurturing curiosity, about people, cultures, lifestyles, and generations, and I’ve found that travel is one of the most powerful tools for personal expansion. It has helped me gain perspective, widen my view of the world, and deepen my understanding of others. Staying focused in one professional direction while setting ambitious yet realistic goals has allowed me to pursue my dreams and explore different cultures of the world, including the Dominican Republic, Madagascar, Mauritius, Thailand, the USA, and Bali.

Turn failures into lessons

Every experience, even the painful ones, carries valuable insights. What matters is taking the time to reflect and learn from them. Sometimes, you need to take one step back in order to leap two steps forward. That mindset has been a quiet but powerful driver of my success.

Act in alignment with your values

Work ethics and staying true to your personal values build a solid foundation for a sustainable career. Many of the career changes I made were the result of value misalignment. Sometimes the best thing you can do is say “thank you” and take a different path.

Build a network of meaningful, supportive relationships

Business relationships are not just about opportunities. They are a source of support, perspective, and inspiration. I believe that without relationships, there is no business, no partnership, no friendship, nothing. Through authentic connections, I’ve gained new perspectives, felt valued and heard, experienced unforgettable moments, engaged in enriching conversations, and most of all, learned from others and been inspired to grow.

Conclusion

Her journey is a powerful reminder that success isn’t defined by titles or timelines, but by the impact we create and the lives we touch. With each challenge she faced, she chose growth over comfort, purpose over predictability, carving out a path that now inspires countless others to rise into their potential.

As she continues to empower leaders, nurture talent, and expand her global footprint, her story serves as both a beacon of hope and a blueprint for transformation. For anyone standing at the crossroads of career and calling, this journey is proof that reinvention is not only possible, it’s deeply rewarding.

Let her story spark the courage within you. Because sometimes, the boldest move you can make... is believing in your next chapter.

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