How Coaching Transformed My Leadership—and How It Can Transform Yours

Years ago, as a newly promoted senior leader in a PR and marketing agency, I felt the weight of my responsibilities more than ever. In small businesses, every decision carries weight—cash flow is tight, clients demand excellence, and people are counting on you. I had excelled in my previous roles, but suddenly, the skills and instincts that once made me successful weren’t enough in this new leadership position.

Like many leaders stepping into bigger roles, I initially struggled with self-doubt. My confidence wavered. I was navigating complex decisions, managing a growing team, and striving to balance collaboration with decisiveness. Was I leading effectively? Was I making the right choices? I didn’t have clear answers.

That’s when I turned to executive coaching—and it changed everything.

The Leadership Roadblock I Didn’t See Coming

Coaching helped me uncover a blind spot that was holding me back...my desire to be liked sometimes kept me from making tough, necessary decisions.

I valued collaboration and teamwork, which served me well in many ways. However, in an effort to create buy-in and consensus, I often hesitated instead of trusting my instincts. I believed that if everyone agreed, it would lead to stronger alignment. But in reality, avoiding tough calls didn’t protect my team—it weakened their trust in my leadership.

For example, when faced with high-stakes decisions, I focused on making sure everyone was on board rather than moving forward decisively. What I learned was that trust isn’t built through endless consensus-building—it’s built by:

✔ Welcoming diverse perspectives
✔ Thoughtfully weighing input
✔ Making a confident, informed decision

My coach helped me realize that leadership isn’t about making everyone happy—it’s about making the right call for the organization and the team as a whole.

The Mindset Shift That Changed Everything

One of the most valuable lessons I learned through coaching was that not making a decision IS making a decision. Indecision creates uncertainty, slows momentum, and erodes trust.

I began embracing the uncertainty that comes with leadership. Instead of waiting for perfect clarity, I learned to move forward based on the best information available.

The truth is, leadership—like life—rarely offers certainty. And that’s okay.

This shift in perspective didn’t just make me a more effective leader; it also equipped me to navigate the unknown with confidence. And that skill became even more valuable when I made the bold decision to leave my corporate career and step into entrepreneurship.

Why Coaching Works for Leaders at Every Stage

Looking back, coaching didn’t just help me through one leadership challenge—it gave me the mindset and tools to navigate every challenge that followed. It prepared me to take control of what I could, embrace what I couldn’t, and lead with clarity and conviction.

This is why coaching is so powerful. It helps leaders:

✅ Identify blind spots that may be holding them back
✅ Develop confidence in their decision-making
✅ Navigate uncertainty without getting stuck in indecision
✅ Lead with clarity even in high-pressure situations

Leadership is an ongoing journey of growth, and no one has all the answers. But with the right support, you don’t have to figure it out alone.

Are you facing a leadership challenge that’s testing your confidence? Coaching could be the key to unlocking your next level of success.