Coaching – Introspection to Implementation

The Realization

We often focus on our strengths as they lead to quicker and more effective results, but we rarely pay attention to our weaknesses. Even though we may understand this, we often fail to act on it due to a lack of introspection, acceptance, and awareness of the long-term consequences of ignoring these areas.

At some point in our personal or professional journey, we’ve all experienced a moment where we feel like someone should have told us this earlier, and we could have done better.

The issue isn’t about waiting for someone to tell us—it’s about actively listening to those around us and reflecting on what led us to this situation.

“I believe self-innovation is more about self-introspection.”

The more we examine ourselves and our actions from an outside perspective, the greater the chance we have to understand and transform.

This insight became clearer to me during a seminar several years ago. The speaker asked, “How many of you have ever been bitten by an Elephant?” Everyone in the room laughed. Then he asked, “How many of you have ever been bitten by an Ant or a Mosquito?” Everyone raised their hands. The message was clear: it’s usually the small things that cause the most problems. The more we overlook these minor issues, the bigger and deeper the gap becomes in solving them.

How Do We Introspect?

While we talk about acceptance, the real challenge is finding ways to reach that state.
People are not naturally open to suggestions or advice unless they truly value the person giving it. When they’re not in a receptive mindset, it’s hard to help them change or reflect. 

From my experience, the best ways to introspect are through reading, journaling, or working with a coach.

– Attentive reading helps us gain insight from others’ experiences.

– Journaling allows us to reflect on our actions and decisions throughout the day.

– Coaching involves working with someone invested in our success, who helps us recognize gaps and develop action plans.

Get Coached to Coach

As I began my career in coaching, the first thing I realized was that I needed a coach for myself before I could effectively coach others.

It’s crucial to evaluate our own progress and identify blind spots. I think this is why the ICF has created certification levels like ACC, PCC, and MCC— these levels represent a journey of self-assessment and change, while also offering support to others.

Keep using the axe, and don’t forget to sharpen it regularly. This translates to maintaining “Awareness to Accountability.” When introspection is followed by intentional action, clarity turns into confidence, and potential becomes performance.

My transition from corporate management to professional consulting, training, mentoring, and now coaching has helped me realize that while my focus is on ensuring others get value from my services, it’s equally important for me to continue receiving coaching.

This ongoing evaluation ensures I’m constantly improving and providing better and more meaningful  value to my clients now and in the future.