“Do you coach individual contributors?” I was asked the question today.
It was such a great question. And the answer is YES!
When I first started coaching, I aimed to coach “leaders.”
Just like in the corporate world, I thought that coaching people with a higher title would allow me to make a more significant impact.
I’ve coached founders, VPs, senior directors, and directors.
Yet, I’ve been hesitant about the idea of coaching C-suite executives.
You see, I come from a culture where I was taught to respect authority.
After being laid off by an executive, that respect morphed into a fear of authority.
I thought, “Why would executives want to talk to me? I’m not equipped to be their coach.”
However, in a session with my own coach, I had a realization: “If I think someone is higher than me, then I must believe someone is lower than me.”
That simply didn’t sit right with me.
I delved deeply into my value of equality.
Yes, I might be a few steps ahead of someone, that doesn’t make them any less than me.
In the same vein, these executives might have experiences I haven’t had, but that doesn’t make me any less qualified in coaching them.
In fact, I excel in calling out the BS, in helping people to get to the places they really really really want to be, the quality that executives really look for.
There, I shifted from fearing authority to creating possibilities.
I changed how I see myself and who I talk to, irrespective of their titles.
Because deep down, we are all humans, navigating our unique journeys.
So yes, I can coach executives, but I am NOT an executive coach.
I coach the person in front of me – because we all make a significant impact that create ripple effect regardless of our titles!
Love, Wen
P.S. If you like a partner to call out your BS and help you to get to places you really want to be, let’s talk!