My Coaching Calling

In 2015, I was lucky to be selected for a two-year Global Leadership Program at Fidelity Investments. The program typically selects 12-16 people globally to go through an immersive experience. It involves 4 six month rotations, where you work with senior leaders in different businesses, across locations, to solve real business problems. That experience has been the one of the biggest learning experiences of my life. During that program, we were assigned a coach to work with. I had never before worked with a coach, and wasn’t sure of what to expect. But as I reflect back, the time and reflections I got working with the most awesome coach (Alicia Cahill-Watts), helped me better navigate through the program, my career plan, and even life’s perspectives.

What I loved from the experience was that the coach wasn’t providing me with any direct (fast food like) answers or prescriptions to solve for my current challenge. Rather, she engaged me in a dialogue that helped me reflect on and come up with a plan that works for me. She was my accountability partner, cheerleader and mirror all in one. I am forever indebted to her. That experience had a profound impact on me.

While I have been working with/ mentoring people as they reach out for a perspective or advice, in 2021 I finally took the step to study coaching as a discipline and got certified as a Life and Career Coach. As a part of the certification process, I worked with several people coaching them on navigating their careers and life situations. The joy of seeing people uncover their paths is fascinating. And as a coach you end up learning a lot along the way.

Looking forward to the journey ahead.