September 2018: A Real Coaching Conversation

This morning, I met with coach Jason Shine.  On a gorgeous Monday morning in Arlington, Virginia, we collaborated on some content for his upcoming second book.  Jason, I am honored you picked me to be part of this amazing project.  Thank you.

On the way home, I reminisced about a conversation we had one year ago, in September 2018.  At the time, it had been 10 months or so since I had left IBM.  Jason and I took it to the microphone to chat about my journey.  

We discussed my exploration period, my desire for maximizing my curiosity and creativity.

We discussed the experience of standing in nothing and the emotional journey of finding focus amongst the peaks and valley of life, often in the face of uncertainty.

We discussed the biggest challenge of my career: learning to and practice saying no.  Not in a negative way, but in a way that drives an intentional yes, a focus.  “Trying to be all the things to all the people means not really being anything to anyone“.

We discussed leadership and what it means to me: finding the strengths in other and helping them maximize their capabilities.

We discussed my Care Team: those that help me make sure my life is in order so I can be free to explore, play, create, inspire.  “Life is a team sport”.

We also talked about Jason’s journey, which will also be part of the upcoming book.  He shared his approach to coaching, specifically finding your why, the genesis of Real Smart Consulting, his coaching business.

We reminisced about how we started to work together, almost 2 year ago!  How Jason helped me navigate my then discovery year (almost 2 now!), without the typical roadmap of my corporate career.  About defining mission, vision, values and beliefs, even when we don’t know where we are going.  About the importance of recognizing that moment when you know something needs to change, and starting something, anything, to get in action about it.  “Doesn’t matter where, just start“.

I opened up about not knowing where I was going, but being confident I was going in the right direction: doing the work, trusting the process, and celebrating the little things, the little wins.  

My journey has been about listening to myself, the only place I know I can find the answer. About being in action.  And about no longer waiting for something to happen.  

Here is the recording of our conversation. Listen in if you are curious to hear one of my real coaching conversations!

As a final reflection, I am thrilled that some of the themes we discussed a year ago still apply today. It’s also really fun to hear how far I have come along in my speaking abilities, with all of the practice the Gloss Over Podcast has provided me.