Studio1 Design, Author at Tanya Cross Consulting

Your future depends on this

Studio1 Design on February 5, 2025

As a coach, the decisions you make shape the direction of your business and influence its growth.

let’s level up:

Grow Yourself To Grow Your Business

Smash through growth ceilings,
again and again to new heights
in business, leadership and life.

Every choice, from client interactions to business strategy, influences your success and the results you create for others. And, of course, for yourself.

However, many coaches find themselves caught in cycles of indecision, over-analysis, or hesitation, which stalls progress and can chip away at their worth.

Decisions as Catalysts for Growth

Every decision you make in your coaching business contributes to your long-term evolution. No matter how small or big, they are building or breaking your business.

Whether refining your niche, setting your pricing, or choosing your marketing strategy, decisions act as turning points that determine direction.

Coaches we are working with in Maximum Growth are making decisions around defining your coaching focus, structuring their offers between one-on-one, group coaching, or online programs, pricing their services by balancing affordability with the value of transformation or scaling their business by knowing when to expand, delegate, or pivot.

Clarity in your decisions allows you to build a business that aligns with your identity, your values, and long-term vision

So Why Coaches Struggle with Decisions?

Many coaches hesitate because they fear making mistakes. Which is a catch-22 – because you help others to dissolve their fears… but you get stuck in your own.

Every decision, even indecision, provides feedback that sharpens your clarity and business acumen.

Another factory in why coaches struggle is they naturally seek guidance from mentors, peers, or industry trends.

However, over-reliance on external opinions can create doubt and uncertainty. Too many opinions spoil the broth – Not sure if that is how you use the saying but let’s roll with it.

With endless strategies, methods, and advice available, the pressure to make the ‘perfect’ decision can be overwhelming.

The best decisions come from aligning with who you are.

And then bringing that to the world.

Sometimes, hesitation isn’t about failure, it’s about success.

Bigger decisions lead to greater responsibility, visibility, and challenges.

As we step into February, whether you have big or small decisions to make, every choice is a step forward.

Instead of fearing the weight of decision-making, see it as an opportunity to refine your vision, step into your authority, and align your business with the impact you want to create.

Trust that no decision is final or fatal, only a stepping stone on your journey.

So, what decision will you commit to today?

The future of your coaching practice depends on it.

If you feel the drive to build a coaching business, then hit “Yes” and let’s start a conversation today to see how we can help you.

Tanya Cross

Leadership Coach & The Coaches Coach

Master Certified Demartini Method Facilitator

BAppSoSc (Counselling)

Maximum Growth

The Invisible Habit: How People Pleasing Becomes Second Nature

Studio1 Design on January 28, 2025

It starts so subtly that you barely notice it.

let’s level up:

Grow Yourself To Grow Your Business

Smash through growth ceilings,
again and again to new heights
in business, leadership and life.

A small nod of agreement when you want to say no.

A quick “it’s fine” when something doesn’t align with you.

Over time, this way of being becomes ingrained. It feels like it’s who you are.

People-pleasing isn’t just a behaviour; it’s a way of navigating the world.

It can become an almost unconscious need to create harmony, to avoid conflict, or to feel valued.

But where does this need come from, and why does it feel so automatic?

At its core, people-pleasing often stems from the dynamics of early relationships.

As children, we are highly attuned to the emotional cues of those around us.

A warm smile for compliance or a cold shoulder for defiance teaches us, little by little, how to adapt.

Over time, these adaptations become strategies, ways to maintain connections, to feel safe, and to ensure acceptance.

But what happens when those strategies start impacting your life?

You notice you are agreeing to commitments we don’t have time for.

You say yes when you mean no.

Silencing our true feelings to keep the peace.

Or bending over backward to meet expectations, even at the expense of our own needs.

It can feel rewarding at the moment, a fleeting sense of approval, a momentary relief from tension.

But the cost is often a quiet erosion of self.

This pattern thrives on subtle reinforcement.

A compliment for being “so easygoing.”

Praise for being “reliable.”

These words can feel like validation, yet they also tether us further to the label of the one who says yes, the one who never complains, the one who makes it all okay.

And yet, internally, there’s often a sense of exhaustion, frustration, or even resentment.

The more we give away parts of ourselves, the more distant we can feel from our true selves.

It’s a cycle that can leave you wanting to reclaim your identity.

People-pleasing isn’t a flaw; it’s a response, one that was likely learned for a reason.

And life is more about unlearning and relearning.

Tanya Cross

Leadership Coach & The Coaches Coach

Master Certified Demartini Method Facilitator

BAppSoSc (Counselling)

Maximum Growth

The Fine Line Between Helping and Taking on Too Much

Studio1 Design on January 24, 2025

Responsibility can feel like a banner we raise to prove our care and capability.

let’s level up:

Grow Yourself To Grow Your Business

Smash through growth ceilings,
again and again to new heights
in business, leadership and life.

For many coaches and business owners, it becomes a core part of their identity, a way to prove their worth or maintain a sense of control in their lives.

But what happens when the weight of responsibility becomes overwhelming, when it spills over from one area of life into another, leaving little room to breathe?

I recently worked with someone whose sense of responsibility stretched across their entire life.

It began in their family. They felt a deep obligation to take care of their wider family, often putting their needs aside to ensure everyone else was okay.

As daily life grew, the sense of responsibility grew too.

This pattern extended into their work, where they felt responsible not only for their tasks but also for the outcomes of their employees, their clients and the client’s results.

What drives this sense of responsibility?

It often starts in childhood, where certain roles are adopted in response to the dynamics within a family.

For some, it’s about earning love (not the higher universal love – but the societal version of love) or approval; for others, it’s about maintaining peace or avoiding conflict.

This sense of responsibility becomes a way to feel safe, valued, or connected.

Over time, it can harden into a habit, an automatic way of operating in relationships and environments.

In adulthood, these patterns can blur the boundaries between what is ours to carry and what isn’t.

Someone might take on more than their share in a relationship, believing it’s their job to keep things running smoothly. At work, they might feel personally accountable for results beyond their control.

The line between helping and over-functioning becomes harder to see, especially when their identity is tied to being ‘the responsible one.’

This dynamic isn’t random.

It’s deeply connected to how we’ve learned to connect with others.

For some, the belief that they must give more, do more, or be more to maintain relationships or prove their worth becomes a guiding principle.

Others find themselves trapped in the inability to say no, driven by a fear of rejection, judgment, or the thought of disappointing those around them.

In many cases, giving, doing, and being more feel essential to feeling secure or valued in relationships.

Over time, this can lead to a blurred sense of boundaries, where overextending oneself feels like the only way to maintain acceptance or connection.

For others, the struggle lies in the discomfort of setting limits, as the worry of how they might be perceived looms large.

In many ways, responsibility often carries an undertone of self-blame or assigning blame to others.

It can be a quiet, internal narrative where the weight of not being enough takes centre stage.

This is when the whip comes out, not in the literal sense, but as an unrelenting mental self-punishment.

It’s the voice that tells you that you’re falling short, the inner critic that keeps you tied to a cycle of over-functioning and self-doubt.

The drive to be responsible isn’t just about doing what’s right, and it’s often tied to a deeper story, one that connects self-worth with the ability to carry the weight of the world.

But at what cost?

In the end, responsibility is a complex dynamic. It impacts how we show up in the world and how we relate to others, but it can also bind us in patterns of overextension and self-criticism.

Responsibility isn’t inherently a burden, but when it becomes entangled with self-worth or the need to prove something, it can transform into a heavy, unrelenting weight that shapes our actions and sense of self.

Understanding this complexity offers you an opportunity to question not only what we carry but why we feel the need to carry it.

With love and light,

Tanya Cross

Leadership Coach & The Coaches Coach

Master Certified Demartini Method Facilitator

BAppSoSc (Counselling)

Maximum Growth

What Will Your Next Quarter Of A Century Story Be?

Studio1 Design on January 15, 2025

Last night, I had the privilege of seeing Hamilton with a friend. (Did I mention I’m a bit of a stage show enthusiast?)

let’s level up:

Grow Yourself To Grow Your Business

Smash through growth ceilings,
again and again to new heights
in business, leadership and life.

It’s more than a musical—it’s a masterpiece. Hamilton is a powerful reminder of the fleeting nature of time and the stories we leave behind.

One line in particular struck me deeply:

“How do you want others to tell your story when you’re gone?”

It’s a question that lingers, isn’t it? It makes you pause and reflect on your purpose, your impact, and how you’re shaping your life.

As we step into 2025—a new year and the start of a new quarter-century—it feels like the perfect time to ask ourselves:

What will the story of the next 25 years be?
And what has been the story of the last 25 years?

Twenty-five years ago, I stood at a crossroads. Should I stay in Melbourne, in a comfortable job, or take a leap into the unknown and move to Queensland?

I chose to leap.

That decision was filled with uncertainty, ambition, and the undeniable pull of my inner knowing. I didn’t have all the answers (and I still don’t!), but I knew I wanted my life to matter.

The path wasn’t easy. There were doubts, obstacles, and tough lessons. But every challenge gifted me with a richer life experience.

It also led me to found MG—a space where I could empower coaches and business owners to unlock their fullest potential.

Looking back, I realise this:

The most significant growth in my life came when I followed my inner wisdom and took bold, aligned action.

So here’s my question for you.

What story do you want to create in the next 25 years?

This isn’t about setting resolutions—it’s about revelations.

Moments of clarity that align your goals with your growth.

As you reflect, consider these questions:

What truly moves the needle in your life and business?
What can you let go of to create space for what truly serves your purpose?
What steps will you take to expand into the next, most aligned version of yourself?

Here’s what I know.

This year is an opportunity to plant the seeds of a story you’ll be proud to have others share.

At MG, we’re here to help you take congruent, purposeful action toward creating the coaching business and life of your dreams.

If you feel a calling to serve…

If you want to create a story worth telling…

If you’re ready to expand to your next level, authentically and with clarity…

Let’s see how we can help you shape your next chapter.

Wishing you a year of courage, clarity, and creation.

With love and intention,

Tanya Cross

Leadership Coach & The Coaches Coach

Master Certified Demartini Method Facilitator

BAppSoSc (Counselling)

Maximum Growth

How can I help you?

Studio1 Design on December 18, 2024

I have a question for you—and I’d love a true answer.

let’s level up:

Grow Yourself To Grow Your Business

Smash through growth ceilings,
again and again to new heights
in business, leadership and life.

On a scale of 1-10, how satisfied are you with your business right now?

Let me know because I’d love to have a 1:1 chat about where you’re at and how we can move things forward together.

You probably know by now that I’ve built my private coaching business to multi 6 figures – —and I’ve done it while working less than 25 hours a week and without posting on social media in over three years.

But none of this happened overnight, and I certainly wasn’t born knowing how to make it work.

It took years of learning, trial and error, investing in coaches and courses, making mistakes, and—most importantly—showing up even when it wasn’t easy. And trust me, it wasn’t easy. Far from it. There were times when I felt stuck, unsure, and overwhelmed. Let me share some of the roadblocks I hit along the way:

I put off launching for months because it wasn’t “perfect.”
I stayed quiet, worried about what friends and family would think.
When I finally launched… there was nothing but crickets. 🦗
I told myself I didn’t have the time to figure out SEO, funnels, or systems.
I wasted hours tweaking my website and branding, chasing perfection instead of focusing on the bigger picture.
I held back from investing in myself, thinking I had to wait until I was making money first.

It wasn’t until I realised these were just limiting beliefs that things began to change. I had to start treating my business like a real business, not just a side project or hobby. Because the truth is, if you treat it like a hobby, it stays a hobby.

Henry Ford said it best: “Whether you think you can or think you can’t, you’re right.”

Eventually, I made the decision to believe that success was possible for me—and I took action. And that action made all the difference.

Action pushes fear aside. It gives you clarity. And here’s the key: You don’t need to feel confident before you show up—you build confidence by showing up.

If I had waited for everything to be perfect, I would have missed out on some of the most incredible experiences of my life. Things like:

Paying the mortgage on my dream home—our modern farmhouse.
Having the freedom to spend time with my family every day, on my schedule.
Taking walks with my brother or meeting a friend for lunch, without needing permission from anyone.
Prioritizing self-care with therapy, acupuncture, massages, and coaching—because I have the time and resources to do it.
Working from the comfort of my couch, in my pajamas, because I run the show and make the rules.

I want you to know that I’m right here on the other side of this email, ready to support you.

What’s your biggest challenge right now? Where are you feeling stuck?

Let’s talk about what’s holding you back—and, more importantly, how we can unlock your next level of success.

You have your own unique version of success waiting for you, and I’d love to help you get there.

Let’s make this happen together!

Tanya Cross

Leadership Coach & The Coaches Coach

Master Certified Demartini Method Facilitator

BAppSoSc (Counselling)

Maximum Growth

Put these in place now

Studio1 Design on December 11, 2024

We are coming up to the end of the year, and you might be thinking… I want a break.

let’s level up:

Grow Yourself To Grow Your Business

Smash through growth ceilings,
again and again to new heights
in business, leadership and life.

But clients sign up, and you have to work.

As coaches, our primary goal is to empower our clients to achieve their goals and unlock their potential (or whatever it is for you).

However, without clear boundaries, you risk becoming overextended, leading to burnout, and you can diminish your professional effectiveness and credibility. Not to mention, the lack of clear limits can intrude into personal time, leading to stress and dissatisfaction.

Boundaries serve as a structure to maintain a balance between supporting our clients and ourselves.

We all have a love to serve…. And difficulty saying no to people when they need you.

Boundaries can be thought of as the invisible lines that define the limits of what is ok and what is not ok.

Can’t you dissolve your emotional charge and everything be ok?!

There are still behaviours, actions, and interactions in any relationship, including the coaching relationship, that you will or won’t want.

Boundaries include time, personal space, communication, confidentiality, and the scope of the coaching relationship.

In our coaching journey, various factors can blur the lines of our boundaries, making it challenging to maintain clarity and integrity as a coach.

External pressures, such as expectations of how many clients, what to charge, what not to charge, and societal expectations of how much you should and shouldn’t work, which may impose unrealistic demands and expectations on our time and energy, leading us to overextend ourselves in an effort to meet perceived obligations. AKA at the loss of self.

If there are personal insecurities or a desire to please others, it can cloud our judgment, causing us to compromise our boundaries in favour of seeking approval or avoiding conflict.

It’s essential to recognise these factors and explore how they influence our boundary-setting process, allowing us to identify and address potential triggers or vulnerabilities.

Establishing clear boundaries begins with a deep understanding of our own needs, values, and limitations as coaches.

Take the time to reflect on what is personally meaningful to you and where you draw the line in terms of your time, energy, and emotional investment.

What are your boundaries in specific terms, covering areas such as scheduling, communication protocols, confidentiality, and your role as a coach?

By defining your boundaries with clarity and precision, you create a roadmap for navigating the complexities of coaching relationships while honouring your own well-being and professional integrity.

Not knowing our boundaries often stems from a lack of awareness of our own needs.

As coaches, we may prioritise the needs of our clients above our own, believing that self-sacrifice is synonymous with being of service.

However, neglecting our own needs only leads to resentment, exhaustion, and, ultimately, burnout. It’s essential to recognise that honouring our own needs is not selfish but necessary for our well-being and sustainability as coaches.

So know it is ok to create and maintain coaching boundaries over the next month.

Make sure you manage expectations by communicating with your clients. Let them know you’ll be away so they are informed.

And then, the time comes to practice those boundaries when a client rings and wants an emergency session on the 28th of December.

Tanya Cross

Leadership Coach & The Coaches Coach

Master Certified Demartini Method Facilitator

BAppSoSc (Counselling)

Maximum Growth

Stop using pain to push you

Studio1 Design on December 4, 2024

Are you sick of needing problems to motivate you to get the work done?

If that resonates with you, you’ve come to the perfect place.

let’s level up:

Grow Yourself To Grow Your Business

Smash through growth ceilings,
again and again to new heights
in business, leadership and life.

Today, we’re diving into a deep mindset question:

Do we do the work to resolve pain, or do we pursue it to level up in life?

For many years, I found myself using pain as my motivator. I see this pattern in many people—doing the work to escape discomfort, with pain as the trigger to take action.

Often, it feels like life throws challenges your way just to push you forward. I thought I needed to be in the fire to help my clients—financial struggles, a tough divorce, or health issues that left me barely functioning.

Maybe you’ve been through something similar, believing these experiences were essential for your growth.

But what if there’s another way?

An internal, fulfilling way of doing the work that’s not rooted in resolving pain but in proactively smashing through your growth ceilings.

Shifting how we view motivation changes everything. Instead of relying on external pain as a trigger, we can cultivate internal fulfilment.

When we no longer rely on challenges or crises to fuel our progress, we avoid creating unnecessary struggles—like illness, relationship breakdowns, or financial slowdowns—to spur us into action. Understanding how pain motivates us can help us shift to a more sustainable path of growth.

Pain can be a powerful catalyst for change. When we experience discomfort, it lights a fire under us, pushing us to act. This is often linked to aversion motivation, the idea that we act to avoid or escape unpleasant situations.

For example, many people embark on fitness journeys because of health scares or discomfort—perhaps a diagnosis of high blood pressure prompts someone to adopt a healthier lifestyle.

The fear of health deterioration becomes a compelling motivator. Similarly, personal growth often comes from a desire to overcome adversity. Someone with a difficult childhood may work hard to break generational cycles of hardship or abuse, driven by the pain of their past, to create a better future.

While pain is a powerful motivator, relying on it exclusively can become exhausting. If we need problems to motivate us, life has a way of providing more challenges—more illness, more relationship struggles, more financial hardship—just to keep us moving forward.

This constant cycle can wear us down, leaving us drained and stuck in a reactive mode. The key is recognising that there’s another way to grow—one that isn’t dependent on pain.

Rather than waiting for adversity, we can take a proactive approach to self-development.

Growth can be intentional and fulfilling when driven by internal goals.

This shift allows us to create challenges that we consciously choose rather than those life throws at us. For instance, we can set goals to become stronger, learn new skills, or expand our business, not because we need to fix something but because we genuinely want to grow.

Challenging ourselves to be more, do more, and have more becomes an exciting journey rather than a reaction to problems.

When we align our growth with our values and intrinsic motivations, we enter a state known as self-concordance.

Self-concordant goals are those that align with who we truly are and what matters most to us. Pursuing these goals feels meaningful because it resonates with our authentic selves, providing a sense of autonomy and fulfilment.

The motivation comes from within, not from external pressures or rewards. In contrast, goals that are not aligned with our values—those driven by societal expectations or a desire to please others—can leave us feeling disconnected, stressed, and unfulfilled.

Choosing growth aligned with your purpose offers more sustainable motivation. Growth becomes about pursuing a larger vision, not just resolving immediate pain. It’s the difference between striving for short-term relief and working towards long-term fulfilment.

Growth through pain can certainly push us forward, but growth fueled by vision is much more expansive. It allows us to step beyond survival mode and into a space where we create and build the life we want.

Balancing these two types of motivation—resolving pain and levelling up—can be a powerful approach. One isn’t necessarily better than the other, but it’s important to reflect on which path resonates with you at different stages in life.

Both have their place, and the key is learning to use each approach intentionally rather than falling into reactive patterns.

Sometimes, resolving pain is necessary to move forward, but choosing to grow from a place of intrinsic motivation provides lasting fulfilment.

As we reflect on what drives us, it’s helpful to recognise that true growth happens when we shift from short-term problem-solving to long-term purpose.

Growth with purpose isn’t just about achieving success or making progress; it’s about aligning with a vision that transcends the immediate challenges.

It’s the journey of becoming who we are meant to be, not just reacting to life’s difficulties.

In conclusion, the question isn’t whether one form of motivation is right or wrong but how we can embrace both in balance.

Some moments will call for us to resolve pain, while others invite us to pursue growth proactively. What matters is finding the approach that aligns with our individual needs and aspirations.

When we tap into purpose-driven growth, we experience not just success but also deeper meaning and fulfilment.

Whether your journey is fueled by challenges or by vision, embracing personal growth will always lead to new possibilities and a richer life experience.

Tanya “Do The Work” Cross

Leadership Coach & The Coaches Coach

Master Certified Demartini Method Facilitator

BAppSoSc (Counselling)

Maximum Growth

Why do you keep learning?

Studio1 Design on November 27, 2024

Today, we’re diving deep into why you continue to learn, how the Learn-Earn Cycle can accelerate your growth, and the #1 strategy for turning your learning into tangible earnings.

let’s level up:

Grow Yourself To Grow Your Business

Smash through growth ceilings,
again and again to new heights
in business, leadership and life.

Learning is more than just gaining knowledge—it’s a pathway to transformation, personal fulfilment, and financial success.

For those following along live, comment ROI to receive a helpful resource. If you’re catching the replay, a download link will be provided below.

Learning isn’t something everyone prioritises. Some individuals feel naturally drawn to learning, while others don’t seek it out. But for those of us with a deep desire to grow, learning fuels curiosity expands our understanding, and helps us adapt to change.

It’s not just about accumulating knowledge—it’s about evolving, creating meaningful relationships, and even discovering new opportunities for business and career growth.

However, to get the most value out of learning, we need to understand why we learn.

What inspires you?

Is learning about personal transformation?

Is it your love for discovery or an aspiration to stay ahead in your industry?

Knowing your “why” is essential because it gives your learning purpose, guiding you toward better outcomes. When your motivations are clear, you can align your learning with your goals, measuring the return on investment (ROI)—whether that’s financial gain, personal satisfaction, or career advancement.

Everyone has different reasons they learn. Some individuals pursue learning for personal growth. For others, learning is intrinsically rewarding—gaining knowledge, expanding perspectives, and building skills provide fulfilment, regardless of external validation.

On the other hand, others may feel compelled to learn as a way to reduce insecurity or boost self-esteem.

For them, mastering new skills brings a sense of competence and reinforces their worth.

Others shape learning habits, with individuals using learning as a way to maintain independence or distract themselves from emotional challenges.

They may prioritise intellectual growth, valuing autonomy and self-sufficiency, sometimes at the cost of deeper relationships.

Others use learning as a way to understand and make sense of their internal experiences.

For these individuals, learning serves as a tool for self-exploration, emotional integration, and identity-building.

Recognising your emotional drivers helps align your learning efforts with your goals and allows you to measure success more meaningfully.

Whether the goal is personal growth, self-confidence, independence, or emotional clarity, knowing your motivation creates clarity in your journey.

To achieve a return on investment (ROI) from learning, it’s important to know what motivates you and align your learning with tangible outcomes.

Those driven by personal growth or secure attachment can measure ROI in terms of fulfilment, expanded knowledge, and increased self-awareness.

If learning is fueled by anxiety or insecurity, success might look like improved self-esteem and reduced anxiety.

For those with avoidant tendencies, ROI could mean enhanced self-reliance, greater autonomy, and improved problem-solving skills.

Meanwhile, for those driven by self-exploration, the benefits may be better emotional clarity and a stronger sense of self.

While financial ROI is often the focus, the real value of learning lies in its ability to foster personal development and growth.

The Learn-Earn Cycle demonstrates how continuous learning directly contributes to financial and professional success.

It begins with a commitment to ongoing education—whether by keeping up with trends, acquiring new skills, or gaining practical experience.

As you apply what you’ve learned, you enhance your expertise, making yourself more valuable in your field.

This increased competence opens doors to higher pay, better job opportunities, and more clients.

The income you earn from these opportunities can then be reinvested into further education, such as advanced courses, workshops, or mentoring, creating a continuous feedback loop of growth and success.

Over time, this commitment to learning not only advances your career but also provides personal fulfilment.

With every new skill or achievement, you build confidence, positioning yourself for leadership and authority, promotions, or entrepreneurial ventures – like you as a coach.

The beauty of the Learn-Earn Cycle is that it’s a lifelong process, ensuring you remain competitive, adaptable, and relevant in an ever-changing world.

Tanya “growth learner” x

Leadership Coach & The Coaches Coach

Master Certified Demartini Method Facilitator

BAppSoSc (Counselling)

Maximum Growth

The paradox is real

Studio1 Design on November 20, 2024

As a coach, you are expected to embody wisdom, confidence, and personal growth, offering guidance to others while maintaining a life that reflects your work.

let’s level up:

Grow Yourself To Grow Your Business

Smash through growth ceilings,
again and again to new heights
in business, leadership and life.

Think of it like a personal trainer with a fit body or a painter with a beautifully painted home.

However, beneath the polished exterior of many coaches lies an underlying fear—the fear of being exposed.

What if people see that you don’t have it all together? What if they discover you struggle, too?

Coaches often grapple with this paradox: they guide others through vulnerability but fear revealing their own. This newsletter explores this challenge and offers insights to help navigate the vulnerability paradox without getting stuck.

Coaches are often perceived as having high emotional intelligence and personal growth.

Yet, these expectations can create pressure to appear in control.

There’s a sense that, as a coach, you need to have all the answers, never show weakness, and always live up to ideals.

The fear of falling short can lead coaches to wear a mask of perfection. But over time, this mask can become a prison.

I’ve experienced this personally—breaking the facade in 2015 was a pivotal moment for me, but it wasn’t easy. The fear of exposure is often rooted in childhood patterns and compounded by professional pressure. Coaches may fear that revealing personal struggles could diminish their credibility, leading to isolation and burnout.

The reality: Hiding creates more stress, reinforcing the very isolation we seek to avoid. This vicious cycle makes it harder to find support, leaving many coaches feeling isolated in their roles.

Vulnerability, while often viewed as a weakness, can actually become a coach’s greatest strength. It’s a double-edged sword:

On one side, strength in coaching is equated with competence, reliability, and professionalism. Clients want guidance from someone who seems certain and composed.
On the other side, true connection happens when coaches embrace and express their human side.

This tension between authenticity and professionalism creates a complex dynamic.

Clients benefit from coaches who exude confidence but also appreciate the relatability that comes from shared vulnerability.

Showing vulnerability—appropriately—helps build trust and creates a safe space for clients to open up.

The challenge: Coaches must carefully balance authenticity with professionalism. Too little vulnerability creates distance; too much can blur boundaries and erode trust. Finding this balance is key to leveraging vulnerability for deeper, more meaningful coaching relationships.

Leadership roles, including coaching, can feel isolating.

Coaches are often placed on a pedestal, seen as the ultimate source of wisdom and support. But this position can leave coaches without peers to turn to for their own struggles.

Coaching relationships require emotional boundaries, which can make it difficult to share vulnerabilities with clients.
Without a supportive network, many coaches feel isolated, with no safe outlet for their doubts and challenges.

This isolation magnifies the fear of exposure.

Without safe spaces to express insecurities, coaches may believe they need to project a perfect image.

Yet, this can deepen feelings of inadequacy and make their struggles seem uniquely personal—when, in fact, they are universal human experiences.

The paradox is clear: while coaches help clients navigate vulnerability, they often struggle to access the same support for themselves. Creating spaces for honest reflection—whether through mentorship, peer groups, or professional supervision—is essential to break this cycle of isolation.

The vulnerability paradox in coaching is a delicate balance of authenticity, professionalism, and personal growth.

Coaches must learn to embrace vulnerability without compromising professionalism—both for their own well-being and for the benefit of their clients.

The journey toward vulnerability requires intentional effort.

The path of personal and professional growth in coaching is not about having it all figured out—it’s about being okay with not having it all together. When you embrace vulnerability, you unlock the potential to connect deeply, foster trust, and grow both as a coach and as a person.

This is the paradox: the more you embrace your vulnerabilities, the more you actualise your potential. And it starts with recognising—you are not alone.

Tanya x

Leadership Coach & The Coaches Coach

Master Certified Demartini Method Facilitator

BAppSoSc (Counselling)

Maximum Growth

Are You Solving Problems the Hard Way?

Studio1 Design on November 12, 2024

Have you ever considered that there might be an efficient way to solve problems, but you just haven’t seen it yet?

let’s level up:

Grow Yourself To Grow Your Business

Smash through growth ceilings,
again and again to new heights
in business, leadership and life.

Sometimes, the key to a solution isn’t more effort—it’s seeing the problem from a fresh perspective.

Let’s look at math problems.

You want to know

80% of 10 = 8

But you can flip it:

10% of 80 = 8

Or something a little more difficult

60% of 30 = 18

But you can flip it:

30% of 60 = 18

Or something a little more difficult

25% of 40 = 10

But you can flip it:

40% of 25 = 10

This is the magic of problem-solving: sometimes, the solution is already in front of us, but we need to shift our perspective to see it.

When it comes to business or financial challenges—whether it’s finding more clients, scaling operations, or balancing personal and professional demands—many of us get stuck doing things the hard way.

We push harder, thinking effort alone will solve the issue. More time on the problem will solve the problem.

But what if the key to solving these problems isn’t about doing more—but about finding a smarter way forward?

Sometimes, we don’t even realise an efficient path exists.

It’s like the way we might avoid math by saying, “I’m just not good at it” or “That’s too hard.”

It’s not that you’re not good at math and that went over your head.

It is that you don’t have a simple way to solve the problem.

Avoiding work, whether with numbers or business problems, feels easier at the moment.

Yet, the problem persists because we’re not engaging with it in a meaningful way.

With an effective approach, you can solve challenges more efficiently and effectively.

You see, every problem holds within it the opportunity for transformation—if we’re willing to engage with it.

As a problem solver, I’ve found that once you crack a challenge, it sparks new connections, shifts perspectives, and expands your awareness.

Suddenly, what felt overwhelming transformed into possibility.

It’s no longer about pushing harder but aligning your thoughts and actions with a new way of seeing.

Clients often tell me, “I’m doing more of what works and less of what doesn’t now,” or, “I didn’t think this solution was possible, but now I see it clearly.”

These moments bring tears to my eyes because they reflect the power of shifting perspectives and finding ease in what once felt hard.

Here’s the secret – I’ll whisper it in your ear…

Effective problem-solving requires you to value both the process and the outcome.

The process isn’t always easy—but it’s worth it.

Sometimes, it takes someone else to point out our blind spots and help us see that new pathway we didn’t realise existed.

So here’s something to ponder: Who is that person for you? Who helps you see the road you didn’t know was there? Sometimes, we need someone to guide us—just like learning to flip a percentage calculation around—to find the solutions that lead to growth and success.

What if the solution to your business challenges isn’t about doing more but doing things differently?

When you embrace new ways of thinking, you unlock not only the answer to the immediate problem but also a whole new way of approaching life and work.

Now, that’s something worth exploring.

Tanya x

Leadership Coach & The Coaches Coach

Master Certified Demartini Method Facilitator

BAppSoSc (Counselling)

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