When I was 30 years old, I found myself at a bit of a crossroads, professionally and personally. Like many of you, I was juggling being self-employed with raising three kids. My youngest had just started kindergarten and I began grappling with that nagging feeling of… What’s next? Who am I? Who do I want to be?
The change didn’t happen overnight. It was more of a slow burn, a series of realizations about what really drives us and how we interact with our surroundings. I was lucky to land a job with an entrepreneur in the coaching and training space. I discovered that great learning programs aren’t just about learning new skills; they are about unlocking potential and shifting our mindset. This idea, which psychologist Carol Dweck explores through her concept of a ‘growth mindset,’ transformed how I approach life’s challenges and opportunities.
“Picture your brain forming new connections as you meet the challenge and learn. Keep on going.”
― Carol Dweck, Mindset: The New Psychology of Success
Research supports this personal discovery. Studies in educational psychology show that continuous development through training and coaching leads to better job performance, greater satisfaction, and substantial personal growth. These learning moments are more than skill boosters—they’re a space for deep reflection and evolution.
In our Weirdos in the Workplace podcast episodes, we dive deep into these theories, discussing how they play out in real-world scenarios. For example, applying the ‘Six Thinking Hats’ model by Edward de Bono can radically change how a team tackles a problem, promoting innovative thinking and unity.
“If you never change your mind, why have one?”
― Edward de Bono
I remember sharing a story on the podcast about the owner of a retail chain struggling to adapt to the digital age. It’s a common scenario: markets evolve, consumer behaviours shift, and suddenly, yesterday’s strategies no longer work. In these moments, coaching is invaluable.
Change can bring all kinds of emotions; fatigue, resistance and fear are common. A coach is someone who holds the belief that you can – even before you believe it’s true yourself. While that’s true, the real transformation comes from within ourselves. We change by being truly honest and thinking through different obstacles, finding resources – time, hope, resilience, tools, systems, friends – that we didn’t know we had.
Our ICF certified coaching team is about the transformative power of coaching. Our learning programs are designed with a ‘coach approach’, embedding coaching as a resource that helps leaders and their teams, to meet you where you are and help you get to where you want to be.
If you’re thinking about how you think about challenges, growth, and success, we’re here to guide you.
With love,
Erin
