As new and aspiring leaders, we each walk a path strewn with challenges that test our resolve and potential. Today, I want to share a personal journey—a transformation that started in the most unexpected of places and rippled through my professional life, reinforcing my belief in the undeniable value of investing in oneself.
I remember vividly the point of my career when ‘coaching’ entered my lexicon. My organization, in a show of support for professional development, offered eight sessions with a coach working towards certification. They were offered without a price tag, a pro bono arrangement that perhaps added to my skepticism.
You see, by nature, I am a skeptic.
In my mind, the tools I needed to lead and progress were already within me, or so I thought. The concept of needing an external party to catalyze growth felt foreign, perhaps even unnecessary. Nonetheless, I approached the experience with caution, a part of me unwilling to open up, yet curious to discover if any merit lay in this proposition.
It began slowly, a gradual unveiling of perspectives and practices that at first felt awkward. But as the sessions unfolded, so did my understanding of the invisible shackles limiting my potential. The coach, with patience and insight, illuminated a particular behavior standing in the way of my leadership journey. I was surprised at how something seemingly insignificant had such a profound effect on my efficacy and relationships with my team.
Guided by the coach’s suggestions and starting with small, manageable steps, a new demeanor began to emerge. This simple yet pivotal alteration in my behavior was like a key unlocking doors I hadn’t even noticed before. It welcomed an era of self-reflection and change that now felt surprisingly attainable.
That initial experience was a catalyst. It taught me the power that lay in a coach’s guidance. Since then, I have actively sought out coaching to surmount specific challenges—sometimes requiring a mere few sessions, other times a longer commitment of a year or more. Each coaching relationship has been a unique journey towards overcoming hurdles, gaining clarity, and bolstering my leadership abilities.
Today, as a testament to my belief in continuous learning and growth, I still work with a coach. It’s not just for the insights but also for the accountability that helps me maintain focus on the behaviors crucial to my success and job satisfaction.
To all emerging leaders, I urge you to consider coaching as a stepping stone. It may seem like a leap, especially if you share my innate skepticism. Yet, it’s this leap that might reveal your hidden strengths and propel your leadership journey forward. Trust in the process, embrace the growth, and foster an openness to change. Your future self will thank you for the investment.