Strategic Reflection (and Vulnerability) Fuel Growth: What I Learned in my 3rd Year as a Leadership Coach

Coach Lucille's shadow on a hike with quote from Jim Murphy "Judgement and curiosity cannot co-exist".

Great leaders create space for thinking about what they’re grateful for, what needs more attention, and what else is possible. Ideally, this kind of reflection happens daily. But in my experience, both personally and with the leaders I coach, even a weekly, monthly, or annual practice can bring tremendous clarity and prompt meaningful action.

The year-end holiday break creates a rare pause in the cadence of work. It’s an opportunity to look back with humility and move forward with intention. But I’ve noticed over the years, that the holiday break can be a trap. We tell ourselves we’re unwinding, when really we’re just ignoring work. And when we return in January, the challenges we left behind are still there…sometimes bigger.

Strategic leaders do something different. They choose to reflect. Not superficially, but with vulnerability, courage, and a willingness to learn and grow. Reflection means letting our guard down, making space to examine our lessons, missteps, wins, and growth edges, so we can return stronger and better.

This year, as I celebrate three years in business (yay!), one thing became immediately clear in my own review: 2025 was a year of deep learning and growth for me, my business, and my clients.

Here are the metrics that tell my 2025 growth story:

1. 50% of my clients stepped into bigger roles, increased compensation, or found organizations better aligned with who they are.

2. My active roster reached 20 clients, the exact target I had written into my business plan three years ago.

3. Nearly 90% of eligible clients renewed their coaching engagements with me.

4. I facilitated twice as many sessions as I had in 2024 or 2023.

5. I invested 100+ hours (and a 5-figure sum) into strengthening my coaching craft.

6. My newsletter continues to outperform marketing benchmarks with 50%+ open rates and 3%+ click-throughs.

7. 100% of new clients came through referrals, relationships, or participants in sessions I facilitated.

Numbers matter. And, wonderfully, they represent trust, alignment, impact, and sustained value.

This year, I’m letting my guard down and sharing three points of vulnerability from my 2025 and the learning lessons reshaping my practice and leadership.

1. I got fired this year. I’ve never been fired - ever. It hurt. But it also became a turning point in my entrepreneurial journey. When I reflected, I was able to evaluate the split and recognize a misalignment in readiness, expectations, and commitment. This single event strengthened my confidence by clarifying the types of clients I want to serve. I recognized that my coaching style is not for everyone. I’ve since retooled my discovery call approach to check for greater alignment for new clients.

My lesson: Choosing clients who are ready for change matters more than filling a roster.

Lead yourself well: Where did you show up with clarity this year? Where were you reactive, distracted, or misaligned?

2. I hired a mentor coach. I found myself hesitating to deliver a difficult truth to a client who was stuck behind long-standing, protective walls. But I’m on a mission with Look Up Coaching, LLC for greater good; I know I want to make deep impact, and this case showed me I needed help doing it. My mentor coach brought me back to my values of belonging, excellence, and truth so I could ask more powerful questions for breakthrough. Entrepreneurship demands a mindset of continuous learning.

My lesson: Self-awareness remains the cornerstone for leadership for all of us.

Lead yourself well: Where are you resisting feedback or avoiding discomfort that could unlock growth?

3. My newsletter hasn’t brought in a single new client. Almost 100 newsletters in three years and not one direct piece of new business. I’ve questioned the return on investment, but the metrics tell me that people read it and they keep coming back. All along, I’ve stayed committed to creating compelling content that resonates for my subscribers, researching and reflecting to write with excellence. If you aren’t subscribed yet, please do so.

My lesson: Some habits pay off in less obvious yet still valuable ways.

Lead yourself well: What beliefs or habits helped you succeed this year? What beliefs or habits limited your effectiveness?

Intentional reflection removes excuses, sharpens focus, strengthens confidence, and sets the stage for meaningful growth. My growth this year came through both investment and integration, noticing what I’m learning and applying it immediately with clients. My craft is sharper. My presence is stronger. My conviction is deeper. And that creates more value for the leaders I serve. As you unwind this holiday season, I encourage you to truly reflect: honestly, courageously, and with curiosity for what’s next.

If you want support in turning your reflections into a plan for 2026, let’s chat. Reflection creates clarity, but partnership accelerates action.

As a leadership coach, I coach growth-minded professionals to lead well, get recognized, and thrive. I publish a monthly newsletter and blog post and invite you to subscribe under my Contacts page.

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