Even Coaches Need Coaching

I had the opportunity to spend time this week in a mini coaching session with Reldan Nadler, Relly Nadler, Psy.D., MCC. Relly is an executive coach and psychologist, widely respected for his work in emotional intelligence and leadership development – and he is also a genuinely kind person. It was a gift to learn from him. It was also a meaningful reminder that even coaches need coaching.

Our conversation centered on a project I had said yes to. While I was excited  to put an old hat on in a new environment, it added to an already full schedule. A few months in, I realized I wasn’t feeling like myself. The time commitment was greater than I had anticipated, and I found myself trying to find a graceful way of exiting the project while wrestling with questions like:
Why does this feel like quitting?
Why can’t I just push through and make it work?
What would it look like to step away well?

Ultimately, I chose to exit – and it proved to be the right decision for my heart, mind, and soul.

I shared with Relly that I can be drawn to the energy of a new opportunity and say yes before fully thinking it through. Often it works out. This time, it offered a different kind of learning.
He offered thoughtful guidance through a few simple but powerful questions:
As I consider the benefits of a “yes,” what am I also saying “no” to?
What might not work – and when does it become too much?
Is it possible to recognize those signals earlier, before committing?

One insight from our conversation that stayed with me:
Take more time to consider the worst-case scenario.

Thanks, Relly!