When I began working with Sheri, I thought of coaching as a mentorship experience. My expectations were that she would give me the answers I needed to address different issues for the organization. However, that was not my experience. Coaching provided me with time to focus on the things that were holding me back from articulating and acting on the answers I already had within me. Coaching allowed me to listen to me and to strengthen my connection between my values and insights and how I show up as a leader.

Coaching sessions forced me to take time to focus on me. Often times, leaders find themselves focused on the organization, their team and a busy schedule. This investment made me make time to check in with myself which brought focus and awareness to the things that drive me and were holding me back. The clarity of these sessions helped me be a more focused leader and bring clarity to issues that were slowing me down.

My coaching sessions were something that I looked forward to. Some days I had an agenda, and some days Sheri helped me realize my agenda through our conversation. Each session included some reality checks, laughs, next steps and clarity that helped me move forward. I appreciated the way Sheri and I could be real with each other about life's daily challenges and then she could ask me what I needed in that moment and would lean in to that conversation. Inevitably, I would leave our sessions with some clear next steps and a sense of validity in my thoughts and emotions.

If you are considering executive coaching, DO IT! Make the investment in yourself. The resources and the time it takes will pay off as you feel like you can approach yourself and your role in a more holistic way. Learn how you show up in life, not just in one arena. You deserve the opportunity to grow and strengthen your core so that you can be of better service to yourself and the organization you serve.

Bloombase offered our team the opportunity to address our strengths and weaknesses and grow together. By having two executive coaches working with our team, my direct reports were able to work with one coach on ways to strengthen their understanding and approach as leaders and teammates. At the same time, I was able to work with my coach on team dynamics and my coach was able to assist me in diving into pivotal areas that helped us move forward without breaking the confidentiality of the team.