I was recently asked what I do as an executive leadership coach and how I approach my work. It can often be difficult to explain my role and how I work because it is all based on the development of the softer side of leadership. I work with my clients to develop self-awareness, empathy, authenticity, and emotional intelligence. It all begins with the leader.
This can be difficult to understand because many business leaders have been groomed to believe that leadership development should focus on hard skills like business strategy, achieving KPI’s and hitting targets. This is part of the process, but it is not where you begin.
In my experience of being led by typical leaders, I found that their lack of self-awareness, empathy, and authenticity made them critical, directive, unmotivating, and downright frustrating. I once had a newly appointed manager who told me he did not need to know anything about me or the way I worked, he just needed me to hit my quota. I don’t know about you, but my first thought was what an A-hole. Why would I ever help this guy succeed in his new role? After all, he needed me to grow my territory and hit my quota so he looked good to C-level people he reported to. That was not going to happen. I submitted a resignation notice a few months later.
It was at that moment in my life that I decided there had to be a better way to develop leaders and to lead in general. So, I started to pay attention, trying to put my finger on what was missing in the vast array of leadership development programs. What I discovered was that the various programs all focused on the external process of leadership and not one started with the leader themselves. I scratched my head and thought to myself, how can you lead and influence others if you have no clue what motivates and drives you?
That is where it all started. Today my leadership development approach starts with the human side of leadership.
If you’re curious here’s what I do as a human-focused heart-centered leadership coach:
I guide people toward fearless self-expression. I create space for them to openly speak about what is on their minds. I offer unconditional support, so they feel secure standing up for what they believe in with powerful confidence. I help people to believe they are influential and capable of accomplishing whatever they desire.
I guide people toward discovering their superpowers. A superpower is a unique gift. It’s the energy they bring to the room, how they influence people and inspire a sense of well-being. A superpower is simply the positive presence a leader brings to an engagement that leaves people wanting to do and be more.
I have had the opportunity to work within organizations lead by intelligent leaders with huge hearts and big visions. Together we have broken down false assumptions, transformed the narrative of outdated personal stories, and shifted perceptions about not being good enough.
When people get clear about their story and learn to share their wholeness with confidence their level of success gets real.
Are you willing to step into your own power and regain your wholeness as a leader? Are you ready to stop hiding? When you become fearless that is when the magic happens. That is when your truth emerges and you begin to build the business you love and help others rise to their greatness.
