It tells you to keep doing what you’re good at, that your value lies therein.

I see this so often with clients who have landed in bigger roles or are preparing to enter them.  They’ll do old work even when the new role demands different work.  Or they’ll fight to stay put and not pursue opportunities that require a big leap from what they’ve mastered.

And comfort is often a smokescreen.

For wondering if they’re up to the task.

Or risking embarrassment.

Or failure.

Or any number of frightening possibilities.

What to do if you suspect yourself of comfortable competence and don’t want to stay stuck?

Two suggestions:

• Get the input of trusted superiors and colleagues who know you and your work well. 360 conversations are a great vehicle, but less formal discussions can also yield valuable information.  Asking for feedback on your development as a leader and where there are opportunities for growth can uncover paths you haven’t even considered (this just happened with a client last week).  The idea is to stretch the boundaries of your thinking.  You’re still the arbiter of which paths you’ll pursue.
• Find a coach or mentor who will support your growth and challenge the internal narratives that keep you comfortable. Someone who can help you discern what you want, even if it’s daunting.  Someone who can help you separate the noise from what’s worth paying attention to.

One of the things that always surprises my very accomplished executive clients is that they’re not alone in their self-doubt, that’s it’s actually quite common.

What distinguishes those who excel from those who tend to stay in comfortable competence is just naming the worries and fears and bringing them into our coaching discussions.

That’s when transformation can happen.

Because the measures by which they evaluate new opportunities become about being challenged, having fun, gaining experience for opportunities down the road, making an impact, and stretching to explore more of their gifts and talents.

The fear hasn’t magically dissolved.

It’s just no longer making decisions about the future.

Looking for private, confidential, bespoke executive coaching?  For more on working with me directly, go here for consulting and coaching offerings.  I work with CEOs, senior executives, and their leadership teams to change outcomes and results.  If you’re preparing to move into a bigger, more visible role or have just landed in one, accelerating your success is one of my specialties.  For senior executives looking for strategic guidance with real-time access to me, this remains one of the most popular – and accessible – coaching programs.
The next openings for all executive coaching offerings begin June 15.
Go here to read what clients are saying about working together.

Are you an executive wondering ‘what’s next’ after corporate?  Consider joining me and a small group of curated peers for the next Big Work Retreat on October 22+23 in Raleigh at a 5-star luxury property located 10 minutes from the airport.

One way to plan for life after corporate is to think about it in the margins, watch your runway grow ever shorter, and then try to find something(s) of interest after the door closes.

Another is to give yourself the gift of time to dream and explore and plan in an immersive program with a highly-curated group of peers who are asking similar questions about soul-nourishing work and creating fulfilling lives in the next chapter.

Come awaken dreams, stretch your thinking, get coaching directly from me tailored to your specific situation, find support and camaraderie among fellow travelers, enjoy gourmet meals, relax in beautiful surroundings, and, yes, make a plan.

To learn more and set up a conversation directly with me to apply, go here. 

Seats are extremely limited for this unique program and will sell out.

Need to level-up and leverage a cohort of high-performing leaders?

Magnificent Leadership® Peer Learning Cohorts Inside Your Organization

One of the most cost-effective, high-return coaching programs for leveling up an entire group of leaders. 

• You select who participates
• Highly customized content and materials for your cohort that we plan together
• Once-monthly virtual meetings to save on time and travel costs
• Leverages my executive coaching with peer accountability and learning
• Some of the most common curriculum topics: delegation and getting out of the weeds, increasing speed of execution, removing obstacles, enterprise leadership and influence across the organization, improving anticipation and accountability, effectively coaching team members for greater performance, Building a Self-Correcting Team®…
• Practical tools and strategies for immediate use 
• For your superstars and seasoned leaders, alike
• Minimum 5 participants, Maximum 14
• Custom add-ons available that can include private coaching from me and individual development planning

Popular, Extremely Cost Effective, and Fully Customized.  To learn more, contact me here.
My next openings for new cohorts begin June 15.

Planning your annual conference or event?  From elite executive retreats, to senior leadership team off sites, to association conferences and corporate events, I’ve been honored to speak to thousands.
From Blue Cross and Blue Shield to Harvard, from Caterpillar to the Association of Financial Professionals, from Women in Cable Telecommunications to the American Bankers Association, audiences describe me as engaging, interactive, inspirational, and giving them the practical tools and strategies they need for real-time business implementation.

For a full list of topics and descriptions go here.

Meeting planner resources are here.

Customized packages can include: pre-interviews with select attendees, leading a panel discussion, and social media promotion of your event.
For booking information, contact me now.  We’re currently booking 2027.

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