Coaching - My Why!
Years ago when I started coaching, I was looking for a coach who could teach me how to become a leader. When I met Saralyn she asked me the definition of a leader. And I told her, I didn't care about the definition, I just wanted people to see me as a leader.
Through coaching, I realized that leadership is in everyone. What matters is how we viewed ourselves as a leader. And when I started coaching, I definitely did not see myself as a leader. That first year of coaching, my focus was pretty much figuring out how to be a leader.
I started my coaching with the realization that I was dependent on external validation to fuel my sense of worth. If I didn't receive validation from others, I felt like a failure. It took me a full year to realize that internal validation is where I would find peace. My competition was/should always be with myself - being a better version of my previous self - and not with what someone else thought of me.
In the second year of my coaching, I focused on finding my self-confidence. Essentially, what gave me the confidence to show up as a leader. Internal validation was just one piece of it. There were other things that fueled my self-confidence and decision-making abilities.
In the third year, I focused on inner work. Getting a better understanding of my biases, blindspots, and prejudice. I started recognizing my shortcomings, my insecurities, and insufficiencies. I continue to work through these issues.
And now, in my fourth year of coaching, I am focusing on inclusive leadership and what it means to me. I feel like it's coming full circle - I started with wanting to become a leader and now I no longer want to learn how to be a leader. Instead, I am deepening what inclusive leadership means to me. I know equity, belonging, and respect (for self and others) are important aspects of inclusive leadership for me, and I need to continue digging deep so I can show up more authentically and with empathy.
As I graduate from an ICF accredited coaching program this week, I thought it was apt to share why I found coaching so helpful/instrumental in my career. I'm now hoping to bring my learnings and lived experience with coaching to others. If you have made it this far and are interested in coaching, complete the form here and schedule a chat with me.