Hey friends,

It's been a minute - how are you?

Today’s newsletter is bit different because, over the last month, I’ve been reflecting (a lot).

I’m now mixing in more real life lessons on leadership and career.

Why?

• Leadership is messy: You can’t copy and paste it from a book (or newsletter).

• Stories are fun: And I like writing them.

• The proof is in the pudding: I’d rather show than preach.

If you’re on board with this new style, read on (est. time: ~3.5 min) to hear how I’ve built confidence during a time of change.

(Otherwise, feel free to unsubscribe 😁)

When I started coaching, I had no idea where it would lead.

I got certified alongside my consulting job, eventually striking out on my own.

I wrote all about my journey to find a job that had me jumping out of bed in the morning, aligned to my values and strengths.

I worked with many clients looking for a career that was a better fit for them.

After a while, I noticed a few things:

1. Wanting to jump out of bed in the morning is partly about the job and a lot about your mindset.

2. I love working with purpose-driven leaders who care deeply about their teams and their impact (in work + life).

3. The core challenges of career-questioners - self-doubt, indecision, uncertainty - apply to leaders too.

So, I adjusted my messaging and shifted my target audience.

I now focus on enabling people who want to do big things without losing themselves.

I want to help these passionate leaders (executives, founders, middle managers, solopreneurs) realize their full potential by:

• Overcoming overwhelm, stress, and obsessive control to find their flow.

• Trusting their teams and feeling secure in their role, so they can finally exhale.

• Prioritizing things that matter to make life better for themselves and their people (while still driving results).

As I made this (subtle but important) shift, here’s where my mind went:

• No one will take you seriously

• You don’t have enough experience

• You’re about to blow up a good thing

I ignored all my credentials, education, and extensive work experience.

I hyper-focused on my perceived ‘gaps’.

I was petrified by the potential for failure.

I made up stories about why it wouldn’t work.

Now, this is the part where I tell you how I miraculously overcame all self-doubt and shattered my misconceptions about myself.

Unfortunately, it’s not that easy. 

Even as I write this, I can feel the weight of these narratives

(maybe because I’m about to share my deepest insecurities with all of you).

But, I’m still writing.

I’m still showing up every day on LinkedIn.

I’m still bringing on clients who are excited to lean into their authenticity, lead courageously, and have fun doing it.

I’ve gotten better at managing the negative self-talk, celebrating my strengths, and acting without any guarantees.

I’ve learned that the highs are as inevitable as the lows, and I need to trust that over time the cycles will balance out.

Most importantly, I’ve built a community of support around me - my coach, my peers, my family - and I ask for the help I need.

Cliches are cliches for a reason -

You don’t do new things as you feel confident.

You gain confidence by doing new things.

Confidence isn’t a total absence of fear, doubt, or uncertainty.

It’s moving forward in the face of those things.

It’s faith in your ability to learn, adapt, and grow.

It’s seeking help and asking good questions.

Real confidence (the one clients work with me to build) is resilient, optimistic, and humble.

So - that’s my story (as it develops).

I might not have been exactly in the position, industry, function, or role as all my clients - but I have been in their shoes:

Passionate hyper-achievers struggling to feel:

• ‘Good enough’ at their job (regardless of all the positive feedback)

• Frustrated by wanting to do more, but not totally burn out

• Fully fulfilled in their role or clear in where they’re going

Leaders who are consistently challenged by:

• Cycles of thinking, overthinking, and rethinking that breed self doubt

• Inability to make decisions when they can’t perfectly predict the future

• Uncertainty, change, and pressure that only grows as they do

I hope sharing my story will help you feel less alone and more willing to take action to change, even if it’s not a ‘perfect’ next step.

Agree? Disagree? I’d love to hear from you!

See you next Thursday,

Alex

P.S. If you’re a passionate leader who wants to develop unshakeable confidence, book a free 45 min discovery call to explore 1:1 coaching.