Before stepping into a leadership role, I had spent many years building deep experience in my field. But I quickly realized that technical expertise alone hadn’t prepared me for the challenges of formal leadership. Despite my initial excitement, I began to fear I might not succeed in the role I had accepted.

Thankfully, my organization connected me with Brawn for leadership coaching. I knew the journey ahead would involve difficult conversations, and I was hesitant to be fully transparent about my struggles. In those early sessions, I often found myself overwhelmed with emotion—feeling like a failure. Brawn met me with patience and compassion, creating space for me to process my fears and frustrations.

With care and intentionality, he introduced me to new perspectives—how my presence and communication might be perceived, the different dimensions of leadership, and how to build trust and influence. Over two years, I navigated challenging and uncomfortable growth moments with Brawn’s steady guidance.

One of the most transformative lessons he taught me was the value of candid conversations. Though I naturally avoided confrontation, Brawn encouraged me to lean into those moments with courage and clarity. That shift has become a defining part of my leadership.

Today, I’m trusted within my organization to handle sensitive conversations and lead through change with confidence.

While my growth came from a willingness to be vulnerable and open, Brawn knew exactly when to nurture and when to challenge me. I’m deeply grateful for the time I had to learn under his mentorship—and even more excited that members of my own team are now working with him to develop their own leadership journeys.