PLAYING small?

In this edition, I want to talk about mindsets and self-imposed limits.

Many of the barriers we, as individuals, face in our personal and professional lives are self-imposed, shaped by our upbringing and the limiting beliefs we develop over time. These beliefs, often unconscious, can significantly hinder our potential. Personal and team leadership constrained by an individual’s perceived barriers, imaginary obstacles, and self-limiting beliefs can have far-reaching consequences. Let me give you an example. My corporate career was focused on marketing roles. When I started my HR business it was hard for me to imagine myself as an HR professional. No one else said this to me – this was my own self-imposed belief. Even now I probably believe this even if I have so much team management, Learning and Development (L&D), Diversity, Inclusion (DEI), compensation, and leadership recruitment experience.

Self-limiting beliefs and self-imposed mental barriers might be holding you back.        

Research shows that mindset plays a crucial role in how we approach challenges, and leaders who embrace growth mindsets are better positioned to navigate complexity and seize opportunities in an ever-evolving world.

Despite their talents and ambitions, many people are held back by internal narratives such as "I'm not good enough," "I'm not ready," or "People like me don't reach that level of success." These beliefs are powerful because they operate beneath the surface, influencing decision-making and goal setting without our conscious awareness. However, HBR reports that coaching leads to measurable improvements in leadership effectiveness. 96% of executives report that coaching improved their leadership effectiveness. That’s not small!

HBR reports that coaching leads to measurable improvements in leadership effectiveness. 96% of executives report that coaching improved their leadership effectiveness. That’s not small!        

Coaching as a Tool for Awareness and Transformation?

Leadership, career, and mindset coaching provide individuals with a structured framework to identify and dismantle self-limiting beliefs. One of the most significant benefits of coaching is increased?self-awareness, a key driver of personal and professional development. According to the International Coaching Federation (ICF), 80% of individuals who receive coaching report improved self-confidence, and 70% see improvements in work performance.

This heightened self-awareness helps individuals recognize how their thoughts, behaviors, and attitudes have been shaped by outdated or inaccurate beliefs. Once these beliefs are identified, they can be challenged and replaced with more empowering, growth-oriented perspectives.

Shifting Mindsets to Play a Bigger Game

A transformative aspect of coaching is its ability to shift mindsets. Leaders with a?growth mindset?are more innovative and foster creativity in themselves and their teams, while a?fixed mindset—where abilities and intelligence are seen as static—limits growth and ambition. Coaches act as catalysts for individuals, helping them move from a fixed mindset to a growth-oriented one, which empowers them to pursue more ambitious goals.

In leadership, this shift is essential. Research from McKinsey & Company emphasizes that "high-performing leaders constantly stretch themselves, seeking feedback, coaching, and opportunities for learning" while developing the capacity to overcome self-imposed limitations.

Research from McKinsey & Company emphasizes that "high-performing leaders constantly stretch themselves, seeking feedback, coaching, and opportunities for learning" while developing the capacity to overcome self-imposed limitations.        

Understanding Motivation: Coaching as a Key to Unlocking Potential

Our motivations—both intrinsic (internally driven desires) and extrinsic (externally driven rewards)—shape our decisions and behaviours. Understanding these motivations is critical for individuals aiming to achieve long-term success, particularly in leadership roles. Without the guidance of a coach, many people remain unaware of the deeper motivations driving their decisions, leading to misalignment between personal values and professional goals.

Coaching helps individuals clarify their motivations and align them with their values and aspirations. This alignment fosters personal fulfilment and enhances leadership effectiveness. As McKinsey reports, leaders who understand their motivations and values are better able to guide their organizations through uncertainty while maintaining their own well-being.

“Success is not the key to happiness; happiness is the key to success.” Albert Schweitzer        

Coaching as a Driver of Long-Term Leadership Development

The impact of leadership coaching is well-documented. According to?The Wall Street Journal, organizations that invest in leadership coaching report a significant return on investment, with 86% of companies noting improved executive performance.

Beyond the immediate performance boost, coaching equips leaders with the emotional intelligence and resilience needed to navigate today’s business complexities. Modern leaders face unprecedented challenges, and those who prioritize their own growth through coaching are better prepared to meet these demands.

Breaking Free: Playing a Bigger Game as Leaders and Individuals

The ultimate goal of coaching is to empower individuals to play a bigger game, both in their careers and their lives. By helping us become more aware of the beliefs that limit us and encouraging a growth mindset, coaching allows us to redefine what is possible. This transformation is not only about achieving more but also about leading with intention, aligning actions with values, and becoming better leaders of ourselves and others.

Leadership is not about titles or hierarchy; it is about influence and the ability to inspire others through intentional and aligned action. By investing in coaching, leaders gain the tools to remove the invisible barriers holding them back and create a lasting impact—both within their organizations and beyond.

“If you want something you’ve never had, you must be willing to do something you’ve never done.” Thomas Jefferson        

Embrace the Transformative Power of Coaching

The evidence is clear: coaching helps individuals break free from limiting beliefs, develop a growth mindset, and align their motivations with their aspirations. Whether you are an experienced leader or an emerging professional, coaching provides the structure and support needed to unlock your full potential. As McKinsey aptly states, “Leadership is not static. It’s an ongoing journey of learning, growth, and self-improvement”.

By embracing this journey, we can, each of us, achieve more while inspiring those around us to do the same. I can tell you first hand that coaching has helped me achieve amazing work milestones and design a life on my terms and I genuinely believe in its ability to catalyze positive change and transform.

Try This

Find a quiet space, grab paper and pen, and reflect on the statements you make during your internal dialogue. Jot down these thoughts without judgement. Review your list and identify any statements that may be holding you back. Consider eliminating, modifying, or replacing those with more empowering alternatives. Moving forward, strive to become more self-aware of the subconscious inner dialogue influencing your mindset and actions.?

“Whether you think you can or you think you can’t, you’re right.” Henry Ford        

Know More

This article examines the rising popularity of leaders embracing a coaching approach to cultivate a culture of ongoing learning and growth. It highlights how coaching empowers leaders and their teams to think more expansively, overcome self-imposed constraints, and drive organizational success.

https://hbr.org/2019/11/the-leader-as-coach

To find out more about our coaching services, visit :

https://www.bricoleurconsulting.com/leadership-and-career-coaching/

Anu D’Souza runs Bricoleur Consulting, a leadership coaching and recruitment company focused on the digital and technology industries. A thought leader on innovation, transformation and leadership, Anu has spent many years with companies like Unilever, Ogilvy and BBDO and has lived and worked in multiple cultures and geographies.

Having served on multiple Boards Anu is currently the Marketing Advisor to the Board of womenoffatorda.in , an e-commerce start-up supporting village women in Goa, India and volunteers with the Council of Single Mothers and their Children in Australia. She regularly writes about employee motivations, and on leadership for tomorrow. Anu is also the author of ALIGNED Why CEOs need Company Brand Alignment in the Age of a Questioning Workforce. You can reach her on [email protected] .