The Transformative Power of Coaching: My Personal Journey!

Last week marked the beginning of an exciting new chapter in my professional journey, and I'm filled with gratitude and anticipation as I step into a new role leading the global Coaching Services Program at Microsoft.

This moment prompts me to reflect on the twists and turns that have led me here—a journey that I could characterize by the transformative power of coaching, a relentless pursuit of growth, the power of network and support, and the guiding hand of synchronicity.

Throughout my career, I've often found myself pondering the true essence of progress and fulfilment, and how to infuse my work with meaning and purpose. The concept of "fulfilment" often felt overshadowed by the traditional definition of success, tied to climbing the organizational ladder. However, I've come to realize that true career fulfilment is a deeply personal journey, requiring personal leadership and a dedication not only to progress and growth but also to a personalized definition of success.

This realization has fueled my journey as a professional coach, where I've witnessed firsthand the transformative power of aligning one's professional endeavors with personal values and aspirations.

As I navigate this path, I often get asked what is coaching exactly? To respond to this, I continually draw inspiration from the insights shared by renowned coach Marcia Reynolds, whose perspective on coaching resonates deeply with my belief in its power to guide individuals toward meaningful and fulfilling lives. She refers to coaching as a reflective inquiry, a concept that goes beyond the surface and delves into the essence of meaningful dialogue and growth. (Read more on this here at Choice Magazine: What is this thing called Coaching).

Back in 2009, my introduction to the International Coach Federation (ICF) through my studies at the International Coach Academy (ICA)/Coach Campus, marked the start of a journey that would profoundly shape both my career and my outlook on life. I was drawn to coaching as a way to cope with the stress of a new job as I continuously struggled as an early career professional to find a balance between pursuit of goals, the perceived demands, ever-changing technology industry and all sorts of imposter syndromes. At the start of my career, I found myself lost and burned out. Through coaching, I discovered a potent instrument for personal and professional development, one that empowered me to navigate the complexities of my own journey with clarity and purpose and continue to thrive.

Coaching remained not just a professional pursuit but a deeply personal passion of mine, and over the years, I cultivated a network of coaches who became invaluable guides. However, it was not until my studies at the Institute for Professional Excellence in Coaching (IPEC), that I truly grasped the profound impact of coaching as a profession. Through rigorous training and immersive experiences, I came to understand coaching as a transformative technology for learning that complements many other methods. This journey led me through a myriad of coaching programs and collaborations with visionary leaders, all of which enriched my understanding of human behaviour and affirmed my belief in its genuine power to transform individuals and collectives.

Now, that brings me to my story at Microsoft, an organization I have truly cherished working for over the years. I am deeply struck by the words and philosophy of Satya Nadella, Microsoft's CEO. His emphasis on aligning personal passion with professional pursuits underscores the significance of purpose in our work. Satya's insight suggests that when we perceive our roles as avenues to fulfill our deeper meaning and passion, we elevate our work to a source of personal fulfilment.

In the pursuit of our passions, whether in music, sports, or art, we often find natural alignment. Yet in the professional world, organizational structures can sometimes obscure our vision. Upon deeper reflection, many of us realize that our passions are intertwined with our professional endeavours, presenting ample opportunities to bring them to life.

Perhaps guided by synchronistic events, the path unfolded before me to spearhead the Coaching Services Programs and its delivery within Microsoft (MCAPS) Academy (a multi-year initiative aimed at empowering individuals to learn, apply, and master the skills needed to help our customers and partners reach their full potential). This opportunity brought me into alignment with the incredible work already underway at the Coaching Centre of Excellence, led by visionary leaders (Panos Malakoudis, Brian Murphy). The initiatives have sparked an enthusiasm within me for the transformative possibilities they're pioneering to leave a profound impact on professional and personal lives.

In embracing this role within the team, I perceive more than a career advancement; it’s a gateway to foster a paradigm shift, weaving the essence of coaching into Microsoft’s very ethos and championing the growth of every individual in our collective.

As we often reflect on finding the ingredients that truly contribute to a successful professional career that is fulfilling, we are faced with our own experience as well as observing others. My journey to this moment has been characterized by intentionality, perseverance, and an unwavering belief in coaching's ability to effect profound change. I am humbled by the opportunity to contribute to others' career journeys and explore how these ingredients can be flourished in unique ways for each individual. I'm equally excited about contributing to Microsoft's commitment to empowering individuals to achieve more and fostering a culture of growth, development, and innovation.

Reflecting on this journey and the quest for purpose, meaning and impact I'm reminded of a quote from my dear friend and esteemed thinker/writer Sky Nelson Isaac: "We contribute to one another. Whatever our purpose is, when we take actions with that purpose we cause transformation. We are interconnected to each other, and the deeper connections we nurture, the more impact we have."

In coaching, we often emphasize the significance of acknowledgment and celebration, recognizing the pivotal role they play in fostering growth and development. Now, I seize this moment to express my gratitude and celebrate the multitude of individuals who have contributed to my journey through their leadership, wisdom, collaboration, encouragement, friendship, and invaluable perspectives. Progress is not possible without the support of community and network. Their contributions have come in so many different ways and have been instrumental in shaping my personal and professional growth, and for that, I am deeply appreciative.

I also extend an invitation to each of you reading this to explore the transformative power of coaching, consider working with a professional coach to embrace a designer mindset in shaping your professional and career paths, and take time to reflect on what purpose and meaning truly mean to you.

Thank you for being a part of my journey.

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