My Journey to Authentic Leadership
As a young professional working her way through college, I was eager to make a name for myself in the corporate world. I landed a position in the banking industry and quickly climbed the ranks, earning promotions and taking on bigger responsibilities.
Early on in my career, I was fortunate to be mentored by the Vice President of my company. She saw potential in me and took me under her wing, grooming me to one day take over her role. However, one piece of advice she gave me left me feeling uneasy.
She told me that in order to gain the respect of my team, people needed to be afraid of me – that I needed to be tough and unyielding – a “bitch,” in her words. She believed that instilling fear in my team was the only way to ensure that they would perform at their best.
But this advice didn’t sit well with me. It didn’t align with my values or my vision for the type of leader I wanted to be. I knew deep down inside it was inauthentic for me to behave the way she prescribed. I didn’t want to lead through fear; I wanted to lead through inspiration and collaboration. It was time to move on.
I was fortunate to have other female mentors along the way who helped me navigate the world of leadership and find my way. They provided me with guidance, support, and encouragement, and showed me that there were different ways to lead, all of which could be effective.
Eventually, I was able to develop my own leadership style that worked for me and aligned with my values. I learned that being a leader didn’t mean sacrificing who I was or compromising my integrity. Instead, it meant using my unique strengths and abilities to inspire and motivate others.
Through this journey, I discovered that leadership is not a one-size-fits-all approach. What works for one person may not work for another. It’s about finding a style that aligns with your values, personality, and strengths.
I also learned that leadership is not about being a “bitch” and that women leaders don’t have to behave this way to gain respect and inspire people to perform at their best. It’s about being firm but fair, holding people accountable while still showing empathy and compassion. It’s about building trust and fostering a culture of open communication and collaboration.
I learned about “servant leadership” and that it’s ok to be vulnerable and ask for help. I learned that it’s ok to not always have all the answers. And I learned that what’s more important than having all the answers is knowing how to find the information, people, and other resources that can help.
Now, as a business expansion coach and mentor, I use my wisdom, experience, and training to help guide my clients in growing and expanding their businesses. I believe that leadership is a key component of any successful business, and I work with my clients to help them find their own authentic leadership style.
By focusing on values-based leadership and coaching, I help my clients create a culture of trust and collaboration, which leads to better performance, higher employee engagement, and ultimately, greater success.
It hasn’t always been easy. Coaching is a challenging and rewarding field that requires patience, empathy, and a willingness to listen. But the impact I’ve been able to make on my clients’ lives and businesses has made it all worthwhile.
Through coaching, I’ve seen people transform from struggling business owners and managers to confident, capable leaders. I’ve seen teams come together and achieve incredible results. I’ve seen organizations thrive, with happy employees and even happier customers.
For me, coaching isn’t just a job – it’s a calling. It’s a way to make a positive impact in the world, one leader at a time, one business at a time. I can’t imagine doing anything else.
In the end, I’m grateful for the advice I received from my first mentor, even if I didn’t follow it. It forced me to think deeply about who I wanted to be as a leader and set me on a path of self-discovery and growth.
