When I first became a Gallup Strengths Coach, I thought my role would be pretty straightforward, help clients discover their top strengths and show them how to use those talents to improve their work and life. But what I didn’t realize was how much this coaching journey would teach me about myself.
Embracing My Own Strengths Deeply
Helping others uncover their strengths pushed me to reflect on my own talents in a way I hadn’t before. It’s one thing to understand your strengths on paper, but it’s another to fully live them every day. I learned to recognize and lean into my natural abilities whether that’s empathy, positivity or responsibility and how those strengths shape not just my coaching style but my whole approach to life.
The Power of Authenticity
Coaching others to lead and live authentically reminded me to do the same. I realized I was sometimes holding back parts of myself to “fit” expectations, but strength-based coaching taught me the power of showing up as my true self. That authenticity has been freeing and has made my coaching more genuine and impactful.
Patience and Compassion For Myself and Others
Working with a wide range of clients, each with unique strengths and challenges, taught me patience. I saw firsthand that growth is a process, not a quick fix. That understanding deepened my compassion; both for my clients and for myself when I face setbacks. Strengths coaching became a practice in kindness and encouragement, not just productivity.
Continuous Learning and Growth
Gallup Strengths Coaching is not a one-and-done event; it’s an ongoing journey. Coaching others reminded me that I too am always growing, evolving and learning. Each client’s story inspires me to deepen my own self-awareness and expand how I apply my strengths.
Finding Joy in Helping Others Shine
What truly excites me about this work is seeing clients embrace their strengths and step into their potential. That joy and witnessing transformation and confidence blossom has reinforced my own purpose as a coach. It reminds me why I started this path: to help people live more fulfilled, authentic lives.
Balancing Strengths and Challenges
I’ve also learned that strengths don’t mean perfection. Everyone, including me, has blind spots and areas to develop. The key is not ignoring those but understanding how to manage them through the lens of strengths, turning potential obstacles into opportunities for growth.
Gallup Strengths Coaching has been as much a journey inward as it is a journey with my clients. It’s taught me to appreciate my uniqueness, be kinder to myself and lead with heart.
If you haven’t explored your strengths yet, I encourage you to take the leap. You might be surprised by what you discover about yourself and how much more powerful and alive you can feel when you do.