Beyond Strategy: What Leaders Really Want to Learn—and How Coaching Helps
Leadership today is no longer about having all the answers. It’s about navigating complexity, uncertainty, and relentless change—while trying to stay true to who you are. If you’ve ever found yourself thinking, “I should have this figured out by now,” you’re not alone.
In fact, research shows that even the most accomplished leaders grapple with confidence, identity, and purpose—especially when stepping into new roles or facing high-stakes situations. A recent study by Tatiana Bachkirova and Peter Jackson (2024) uncovered something striking: early in coaching engagements, leaders most often bring up concerns about their confidence. By the end, the focus often shifts toward deeper self-understanding and meaning-making.
So What Do Leaders Really Want to Learn?
Forget the “heroic leader” myth. Leaders aren’t craving more models of perfection—they’re seeking space to make sense of their experience, to feel seen, and to grow authentically. According to the study, coaching conversations often move beyond tactical concerns to explore:
Managing stakeholder relationships and navigating politics
Dealing with uncertainty and organizational change
Rebuilding confidence after setbacks
Clarifying personal values and aligning with purpose
Developing a more resilient, integrated leadership identity
These aren’t abstract leadership theories. These are—what Russian psychologist Vygoysky called perezhivanie—translating to “lived experiences” that shape how leaders grow. Coaching works because it creates a safe, structured environment where you can process these moments, reflect on them, and choose how to move forward.
Coaching Is Not About “Fixing” You
It’s about supporting you in making sense of your challenges so you can lead with more clarity, strength, and authenticity. It helps you reframe doubt not as weakness, but as a doorway to insight and transformation.
Curious About How This Could Work for You?
If this resonates—if you’ve been wondering what’s next, or how to develop your leadership in a way that’s grounded and real—I’d love to talk. Coaching isn’t one-size-fits-all, and the best way to know if it’s right for you is through a conversation.
👉 Get in touch if you’re curious to explore what coaching could look like for your leadership journey.