Why Coaching Matters: Sanity Saving Island of Perspective

kawkapc
Dec 6, 2024
6 min read

Updated: 4 days ago

When was the last time someone truly listened to you, not to fix, judge, or offer an opinion, but simply to witness you, with openness and without expectation?

Many of us go through life feeling unheard, constantly adapting to meet the expectations of others or to navigate the demands placed on us. A coach offers something rare, an opportunity to be fully seen and heard, with empathy and without judgment.

In that space, you’re guided to safely explore your unique thought patterns, feelings, and aspirations in a way that expands self-awareness. A coach isn't there to fix you, but to partner with you in fully owning your unique strengths, offering support and perspective as you shed self-limiting believes.

I’ve met countless clients who, despite their incredible achievements, walk into rooms questioning if they truly belong. I’ve been there myself, hearing the whisper of doubt: “Am I good enough?” or “What if they find out I’m not as capable as they think?”

This is the hidden burden of imposter syndrome, something I’ve witnessed in my clients and have personally worked through. Just one of the challenges coaching helps to address.

For change makers, creators, and leaders, coaching is often more than a luxury - it’s a lifeline. It’s been a sanity-saving refuge for me, in my leadership roles, offering perspective when everything felt overwhelming.

Life doesn’t neatly separate into “work” and “personal” time; instead, responsibilities stack up, and stress compounds. There’s no pause button to recharge, and the weight of expectations - at work and at home - can leave us feeling stretched thin, like we’re failing on all fronts.

The Transformative Power of Coaching

Coaching provides a safe space for perspective and support. It bridges the gap between potential and the demands of reality, equipping us with the tools to grow beyond immediate pressures. By reframing limiting beliefs, coaching can help us recognize our brilliance, embrace our worth, and step into an authentic sense of success. It unlocks the greatness within, transforming potential into impact and vision into reality.

Take imposter syndrome it’s not as rare as we might think. Research shows that 70% of people experience imposter syndrome at some point, regardless of their qualifications or achievements.

First described by Dr. Pauline Clance and Dr. Suzanne Imes in the 1970s, this phenomenon is especially prevalent among women and those of us who come from minority backgrounds. Systemic barriers and biases amplify feelings of self-doubt, leaving many wondering if they truly belong.

Do you ever experience feelings of fraudulence despite your many accomplishments?

The Mental Health Toll of Leadership

The mental toll of leadership in today’s economic, social, and political climate is profound. Leaders are navigating relentless uncertainty, heightened scrutiny, and increasing demands for agility and emotional resilience.

Some key stressors include:

1. Decision Fatigue & Constant Uncertainty

Economic instability, supply chain disruptions, and shifting workforce expectations mean leaders must make high-stakes decisions daily, with incomplete or conflicting information. The pressure to always be right can lead to mental exhaustion and self-doubt.

2. Emotional Labor & Compassion Fatigue

Leaders are expected to provide psychological safety, empathy, and support to their teams while managing their own stress. The rise of mental health awareness in the workplace has increased expectations for leaders to be emotionally available, which can be deeply draining, especially without proper support.

3. Navigating Polarization & Cultural Divides

Social and political tensions are spilling into workplaces, forcing leaders to balance diverse perspectives, navigate difficult conversations, and uphold organizational values, often under intense external scrutiny. The fear of saying the wrong thing or not doing enough creates a constant state of tension and stress.

4. Burnout & Sustainability of Leadership Energy

The "always-on" culture, coupled with remote and hybrid work challenges, has blurred work-life boundaries. Many leaders feel isolated, carrying the weight of responsibility while struggling to prioritize their own well-being. The result? Burnout, disengagement, and a loss of passion for the work.

5. The Pressure to Drive Impact & Innovation

Leaders are not only expected to sustain business performance in a volatile economy but also to lead change, foster inclusion, and drive innovation. This expectation to do it all—often with limited resources, can create a sense of overwhelm and inadequacy.

As a result leaders nowadys face unique mental health challenges. Burnout and emotional exhaustion are among the most significant, stemming from the high-pressure demands and complexity of leadership roles.

The expectation to manage strategic decisions, oversee teams, and care for others’ well-being - all while maintaining one’s own performance - creates immense stress.

This can result in chronic fatigue, anxiety, and a sense of isolation.

For women leading change, these pressures can be even more pronounced. As change makers, we’re often at the forefront, pushing boundaries, challenging entrenched systems, and speaking up for what matters. While deeply fulfilling, it can also be exhausting.

When support is lacking, self-doubt creeps in. Suddenly, the mission that once fueled you begins to feel like a boulder you’re endlessly pushing uphill.

You Can’t See What You Can’t See, And Why Coaching Matters

No matter how self-aware or skilled you are, you have blind spots, patterns, beliefs, or habits that limit your effectiveness without you even realizing it. A coach helps uncover these blind spots, offering perspectives you wouldn’t see on your own and guiding you toward breakthroughs that accelerate your growth.

But coaching isn’t just about strategy or problem-solving, it’s about the transformative power of being deeply heard and seen.

When was the last time someone truly listened to you, not to fix or judge, but to witness you exactly as you are?

The simple yet profound act of being met where you are, heard without interruption, and held in a space of nonjudgmental presence can be life-changing. It allows you to process your thoughts, reconnect with your deeper truths, and step forward with clarity and confidence.

We spend so much energy trying to prove ourselves, manage how we’re perceived, or navigate relationships where we’re uncertain about where we stand. A coaching relationship gives you something rare: a space where you can put all of that down. Where you can be fully seen for who you are, your strengths, your struggles, your potential, without judgment.

And in that space, real transformation happens.

Coaching is not about fixing you. You’re not broken. It’s about giving you the support, reflection, and challenge you need to step into the leader, and person, you’re meant to be.

You already have what it takes. I’d be honoured to help you see it.

As a Gallup Certified Strengths Coach I provide:

Personalized Guidance: I provide objective feedback and strategies that align with your unique goals, strengths, and circumstances.
Clarity and Focus: I help you identify what truly matters, prioritize effectively, and stay focused on achieving meaningful results.
Accountability and Support: I will gently and kindly hold you accountable for your commitments, ensuring consistent progress while providing encouragement and perspective.
Uncovering Blind Spots: I will help you challenge limiting beliefs, uncover hidden obstacles, and help reframe challenges as opportunities.
Skill Building and Growth: I equip you with tools and frameworks to improve decision-making, communication, and resilience, empowering you to thrive.

Ultimately, a coach acts as a partner in transformation, helping you unlock insights and achieve outcomes that may feel out of reach alone. Whether for career growth, leadership development, or personal fulfillment, coaching is an investment in becoming the best version of yourself.

Why Coaching Matters? As a result of it we lead with renewed energy, self-esteem, and freedom, no longer weighed down by self-doubt or relying too heavily on external validation.

So in a nutshell, through coaching, my clients learn to manage these challenges and step into their roles with clarity and purpose.

Together, we:

Reframe challenges as opportunities for growth rather than obstacles to avoid
Combat self-doubt and foster resilience by reconnecting with strengths and values
Set healthy boundaries to create space for rest, focus, and recharging
Navigate tough conversations and decisions with confidence and clarity

Are you ready to experience what’s possible when you are fully seen, heard, and supported?

Hi, I’m Monika, Strengths Coach, facilitator, social-profit organization leader, and photographer. I’m here to help you own your vision for meaningful growth and transformation, uncover your unique leadership strengths, and empower you and your team to thrive and create lasting impact. Passionate about driving change within, around, and beyond, I love supporting fellow change-makers on their journeys.