I’d like to share Laurie Johnson’s story, in her own words, with you. Laurie didn’t just become a coach, she built a life and career rooted in purpose. She’s a leader who believes in the power of growth, even when the path ahead is unclear.
Her story is one of courage, transformation, and betting on yourself. If you’re at a crossroads in your career, this might be exactly what you need to hear.
- Janet M. Harvey
... ... ... ... ...
I never planned on becoming a coach.
For years, I worked in the nonprofit sector, leading teams, managing people, and pouring myself into a mission that mattered. It felt like a calling.
However, after a while, something shifted.
A natural disaster devastated the area where I worked. Everything became about crisis response, rebuilding, restoring, surviving. My team and I pushed through, but when things finally settled, I realized I was running on empty.
I had spent so much time reacting, I had forgotten what it felt like to move forward with purpose.
I felt lost, unsure of what was next, and honestly, a little stuck.
One day, I found a cassette tape at the library, an old recording of a coach talking about passion and purpose. The message hit me hard.
I wanted that feeling again. I wanted to reconnect with my work, my drive, myself.
So, I hired a coach. I wasn’t even entirely sure what coaching was at that point, but I knew I needed help. And it worked.
Almost immediately, I felt the difference. I started seeing things more clearly, making decisions with confidence again. I felt like myself.
That’s when I had a realization: If coaching helped me this much, what would happen if I brought it to my team?
I started integrating coaching into my leadership, and the impact was undeniable. The people I worked with felt more engaged, more empowered.
My board of directors noticed, too. They saw the results and encouraged me to dive deeper. So much so that they even covered part of my coach training.
Still, I wasn’t ready to go all in. Coaching was something I loved, but I saw it as an addition to my leadership, not a career shift.
Then, life forced my hand.
My position was eliminated.
Suddenly, I had a choice to make. I could scramble to find another leadership role or take the leap into something new.
It was terrifying, but something inside me knew I had to bet on myself.
I started searching for a program that would give me both the depth of learning and the credibility I needed to build something sustainable.
That’s when I found inviteCHANGE.
Their approach to coaching wasn’t just about skills; it was about transformation, from the inside out. It resonated with me immediately.
(Continued in Comments)
