From firefighting to focused: learn what changed in just six sessions

I recently had the opportunity to support a senior leader in the health sector through a pro bono coaching engagement. She leads a large team in a high-pressure clinical environment - a role that demands constant responsiveness, sound judgment, and deep care.

Already highly capable and trusted, she didn't come to coaching to “fix” anything. She came to create space - to think more strategically, reconnect with her leadership instincts, and lead with greater intention.

Across six sessions, offered through my connection with the Starship Foundation, we worked together to shift not her capability, but how she accessed and applied it.

Here’s what changed.

The context
Like many senior leaders, she was navigating relentless demands: urgent decisions, complex team dynamics, and a pace that left little room for reflection. She wasn’t underperforming - far from it. But the constant reactivity was crowding out the clarity she needed to lead proactively and shape the future, not just respond to the present.

The work
The coaching space offered calm, structured reflection - grounded in a proven framework shaped by years of executive presence in high-pressure environments. It gave her room to pause, recalibrate, and reconnect with her leadership instincts.
 
Each session built on the last, layering practical tools with strategic inquiry to deepen clarity and confidence.
 
We explored how she wanted to show up: her presence, her communication, her values. Along the way she picked up tools to support decision-making, navigate complexity, and stay anchored in what mattered most. Between sessions, journalling helped her process and sharpen her thinking.

This wasn’t just about adding tools. It was about reclaiming perspective - and using it to lead with more intention.

The shift
By the end of our work together, she was leading with more calm, foresight, and confidence. She was initiating new relationships, approaching tough conversations with clarity, and making decisions that reflected strategy - not just survival.

One shift she named stood out:

What this reflects
It’s a reminder that even the most capable leaders benefit from space to reflect - and that clarity, when supported by a robust coaching framework, becomes a powerful leadership tool.
 
This kind of shift isn’t about surface-level performance tweaks or pre-packaged advice. It’s about creating the space for leaders to realign with their strengths - calmly, clearly, and practically - so they can lead in a way that feels true to them.