Greater Clarity in Thoughts, More Confident Decisions
A Senior Executive’s Mindset and Leadership Breakthroughs
As a senior executive, I believed I needed to grasp things quickly, handle problems swiftly, and keep pushing forward. Through a coaching collaboration, however, I learned that the key to making more confident and impactful decisions is having clarity in my thoughts.
Self-Awareness: The First Step Toward Clarity in Thoughts
Before the coaching journey, I expected to receive instructions and guidance to quickly find solutions to help me break through the bottlenecks I faced. When I realised the coach’s role wasn’t to provide answers but to facilitate my reflection, I doubted the approach’s effectiveness.
“True transformation is not about finding external answers but changing my mindset, achieving clearer thinking, and uncovering my blind spots.”
Monique Hsu
Director, Human Resources and Financial Management Division, Bread of Life Christian Church in Taipei
However, through several coaching conversations, I began to appreciate that the coach was not there to solve problems for me but to help me see myself more clearly. Through his thought-provoking and precise questions, I learned to pause and face my inner voice instead of merely dealing with superficial issues. As a result, my understanding of where change begins shifted: true transformation is not about finding external answers but changing my mindset, achieving clearer thinking, and uncovering my blind spots.
Through this journey of self-exploration, I was surprised to find that many of the directions I thought I had clarified still harboured contradictions and inconsistencies. The hesitations or roadblocks in my past actions often stemmed from such inner misalignments. Once I started to understand the internal logic driving these behaviours, my thought processes became clearer, empowering me to design appropriate, workable action plans for myself.
Expanding Perspective through Curiosity: Creating More Genuine Connections
One learning that profoundly impacted me during the coaching journey was to adopt a more open and expansive perspective towards people and situations.
In the past, I relied on my intuition and experiences to quickly interpret another person’s behaviours or reactions. Whether at work or in my daily life, I try to quickly “decode” the other person’s thoughts and intentions and then adjust my response accordingly.
However, under my coach’s guidance, I discovered that I could reinterpret interactions that once felt tense or complicated by letting go of preconceptions and listening or observing with genuine curiosity. I learned to hold more space in our dialogues, avoiding the rush to label or conclusion but allowing room for mutual understanding.
This shift helped me realise that human communication is nuanced and layered. When I approach others with openness and an exploratory mindset, conversations become more than just information exchanges; they become authentic connections.
Embracing Differences through Understanding: Rediscovering the Flexibility of Values
Beyond interpersonal connections, coaching has revealed another deep insight: my strongest emotional reactions often occurred when my core values were challenged. For example, I hold fairness, respect, and integrity in high regard. My response is especially intense when I sense that these deeply cherished principles might be violated, and I tend to become defensive.
During one coaching session, Richard asked me, “Are your values the only truth?” That question made me pause and reflect. The coaching conversation helped me see that while I need to uphold my values, I can still engage with others with a posture of wanting to understand. Even when viewpoints differ, we can still respect and coexist with one another.
It turns out that true maturity isn’t just about adhering to values and principles but knowing when to stand firm and when to engage in dialogue. This new perspective has made me more adaptable in interpersonal relationships. I can face differences and tensions with a mature and stable mindset. Coaching helped me realise that differing values need not lead to conflict but can offer opportunities for connection through understanding.
Coaching Gave Me the Clarity to Act and the Confidence to Face the Future
Reflecting on my three-month coaching collaboration, what touched me the most was that Richard never told me what I should do. Yet, repeatedly, he helped me see what I care about. His questions were often thought-provoking and powerful, illuminating the unspoken struggles and contradictions behind my words. Sometimes, a single statement from him created more insights than a week of thinking on my own.
He was professional, respectful, and patient. He never rushed to conclusions or manipulated the conversation’s direction. Instead, he patiently guided me to find the answers on my own. This partnership approach made me realise that the deepest growth emerges from being seen and guided rather than being corrected.
At the end of each coaching session, I leave with fresh perspectives and renewed motivation. I learned to organise my thoughts more systematically, act confidently, and believe I can continue growing and achieving breakthroughs.
A Heartfelt Recommendation
The coaching collaboration journey helped me overcome immediate challenges and profoundly impacted my mindset and relationships. I encourage you to embark on a coaching journey if you seek clarity in thoughts, breakthroughs in your leadership bottlenecks, and the ability to lead more effectively. Allow Richard to be a vital support and source of inspiration in your life’s journey!