Many aspiring leaders have big dreams for their teams and organisations, but struggle to turn those dreams into reality. In my years of coaching, I’ve worked with executives and managers who come to me grappling with this very challenge. They have grand visions of transforming their departments, driving innovation, or scaling their companies to new heights, but feel stuck in the day-to-day grind, unsure of how to bridge the gap between their current reality and their aspirations. I’ve seen firsthand the frustration and self-doubt that can creep in when progress seems slow or obstacles appear insurmountable. Leaders often find themselves questioning their abilities and wondering if they’re truly cut out for the role they’ve taken on.
Sarah came to me in 2023 to seek assistance. She had always been a high achiever. Her analytical skills and work ethic had propelled her quickly up the corporate ladder at a fast-growing business. At 32, she found herself leading a team of 20 as the Head of Product Development. On paper, it was her dream job.
Yet she struggled. The pressure to deliver results was intense, and she often felt overwhelmed. Her team seemed disengaged, and turnover was high. She worked long hours but felt like she was constantly putting out fires rather than moving the company forward. Worst of all, Sarah felt like an impostor as a leader. She was convinced that any day, someone would realise she wasn’t cut out for the role.
Luckily that’s when Sarah decided to invest in leadership coaching. In our first session, it became clear that Sarah’s strength was her technical knoweldge. What she lacked were the skills for effective leadership. She was so focused on proving herself to others, that she micromanaged her team, stifling their creativity and autonomy.
We started by working on Sarah’s self-awareness. Through various exercises and assessments, Sarah began to understand her strengths and weaknesses as a leader. She realised that her perfectionism, while an asset in her previous roles, was now holding her and her team back.
Over the next few sessions, we focused on developing Sarah’s emotional intelligence, so that she could recognise and manage her own emotions, especially under stress. We practiced active listening techniques and worked on empathy skills that helped Sarah connect better with her team members.
One of the biggest breakthroughs came when Sarah learned to delegate effectively. She had been reluctant to hand over responsibilities, fearing that mistakes would reflect poorly on her leadership. So, we worked on building trust in her team and creating systems for accountability without micromanagement.
I know it sounds like a cliche, yet it isn’t and I am very happy to say that as Sarah implemented these new skills, the change in her team was remarkable. Morale improved, and team members began to take more initiative. The quality of their work increased, and they started to meet deadlines more consistently.
Now Sarah isn’t my clients real name, yet I wanted to share how with the right guidance and a commitment to growth, even the most overwhelmed manager can transform into an inspiring leader.
This course is designed to help you develop self-assurance in your abilities. Understanding and managing emotions is key to effective leadership. I’ll help you enhance your emotional intelligence, allowing you to connect better with your team and navigate challenging situations with empathy and clarity. Through practical exercises are designed to support you and your team so that you can lead with authority and inspire your team.
