The memory is still vivid. I felt completely stuck, like something essential was missing from my work life. I was fortunate to be in a profession where I helped people improve physically, guiding them through their ailments and seeking solutions with minimal side effects. For many, that would have been more than enough, but I sensed that addressing physical health was only part of the equation. The human body is complex, intertwined with our emotions, thoughts, and our desire to live meaningful, fulfilled lives.
When you've spent most of your life in one career, it's hard to imagine doing anything else. While it's common now for people to switch careers multiple times, that wasn’t always the case. I had been exploring personal development for some time but was unsure of what taking it up professionally would involve. I knew I wanted more out of life. So how did I move beyond that feeling of being stuck? By tapping into my passion and finding the courage to leave behind the comfort of familiarity for an uncertain future. Helping people has always been at the core of who I am—that’s why I became a medic in the first place. I just needed to find a new way to fulfill that calling. That’s when I discovered coaching.
In my early leadership roles, I relied heavily on instinct, often improvising as I went along. Sure, I read books on leadership, but they didn’t always address the specific challenges I faced. They also couldn’t offer the real-life feedback that a mentor or coach provides. Looking back, there were countless times when I could have benefited from a Leadership coach, but I didn’t know what I didn’t know.
Becoming an Executive and Leadership coach has been transformative for me. It’s not just that I’ve become a better leader by gaining a deeper understanding of my strengths and weaknesses; more importantly, I’ve learned to ask the questions that truly matter. I may not always have the answers, but asking the right questions can expand your thinking like nothing else. I often tell prospective clients that I’m like a gold digger—because that’s what coaching is about: unearthing the hidden gems within us that we’re often unaware of.
I’m convinced that the positive changes we seek in our organizations—more equity, inclusion, belonging, teamwork, and continuous innovation—will come when more leaders learn to lead well. Great teams don’t just happen by chance, and while leaders need their followers, no matter how talented a team is, that talent is wasted without a good leader to harness it. Conversely, a poor leader can squander a team’s potential through ineffective leadership.
There’s a saying that great leaders are born, not made. But research shows that leadership, like any other skill, can be learned. That’s where a Leadership Coach comes in. On days when things aren’t going as planned, I remind myself why I became a Leadership coach in the first place. This reignites my passion and determination. Perhaps it’s time for you to revisit your own ‘why’ and remind yourself why you’re in your role, doing your job, part of your team or cause. And if your ‘why’ no longer inspires you, maybe it’s time to find a new one.
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