When Malika stepped into her leadership role, it wasn’t part of a well-laid plan. “I kind of paved the path myself,” she told me. “I didn’t even fully realize I had stepped into it until I was there.” Like many emerging leaders, she found herself feeling stuck—unsure of what came next, or even who she was becoming.
That’s when she decided to start coaching.
Through our sessions, Malika began to reconnect with her sense of direction. She found clarity in where she stood and courage to define where she wanted to go. “I realized I can still grow within this role,” she shared, “and that I can trust in what I bring to the table.”
One of the most transformational shifts was in how she approached her time and leadership. “Before, I would throw myself at every problem. I didn’t consider how much time and energy each one would take. Now, I’m better at prioritizing—at choosing where I’m most valuable.”
What surprised her most about the process was how holistic it felt. “I didn’t expect it to feel so grounding. It’s career-focused, yes, but it’s also given me calmness and clarity—almost like therapy in a way.”
Malika described our coaching as a kind of partnership. “You helped me find a direction I already had in me. I just didn’t know how to trust it yet. You helped me structure my thoughts, make a plan, take small steps, and do things that used to feel hard—like asking for what I need.”
As she continues to grow into a more senior leadership role, she’s shifting her focus from hard skills to the softer side of leadership: building strong relationships, motivating her team, and creating space for others to thrive.
And here’s where things get interesting. Another unexpected outcome of our coaching journey? Malika’s curiosity about how AI could make her leadership not just more effective, but a little more fun, too. Together, we explored ways she could use AI as a practical sidekick—helping her prepare town halls, summarize legal documents, and draft performance feedback summaries (without losing her voice in the process).
One creative highlight: using AI to organize team fun days like Halloween and Christmas, with ideas that even surprised her. She’s also started using AI to help structure and tone feedback, draft board communications, and support internal processes.
“I’m not the most creative person with it yet,” she admits. “But it’s been a big help in making communication clearer and more positive.”
Curious how coaching could support your leadership journey—especially in this new era of AI-powered work? Let’s connect. I’d love to explore it with you.
ICF Certified Coach specializing in leadership development and career transitions. With over 10 years of HR experience in tech, I help professionals align their work with their authentic selves through neuroscience-based coaching.
Connect on LinkedInJoin our newsletter for thoughtful reads on leadership, coaching, and navigating change — for people who want to grow, not just grind.