Aug 2025

The Leadership Lens
Sharpen your view, elevate your impact—one edition at a time.

Have you outsourced your Growth?

In the early years of my career, I worked hard, delivered results, and assumed that growth would follow naturally. I waited for someone—usually my manager—to suggest the next training, offer a new project, or nudge me toward advancement.

But when nothing happened, I felt invisible. Overlooked. 

Then came a powerful realization: I had been outsourcing my growth, hoping someone else would steer the wheel of my career.

That moment changed everything.

Instead of waiting, I started leading. I enrolled in programs that stretched me, sought out mentors who challenged me, and pitched ideas that made me uncomfortable—but also made me grow. And slowly, my trajectory shifted.

What I’ve learned is this: career growth doesn’t happen by default—it happens by intent.

Series 2/6: Personal Leadership – Becoming the CEO of Your Career

Let me ask you a question I often throw at my coaching clients—“Who’s leading your career right now?”
Cue the awkward silence, followed by, “Umm… my manager?” or “the company’s direction,” or my personal favorite: “It’s on autopilot… I think.”

If that hit home—you’re not alone.

🌟 The Myth of "Someone Else Will Notice"

One of the most common stories I hear from high-performing professionals is this: "If I just work hard, keep my head down, and deliver, someone will recognize me."

Here's the truth: Visibility is an important aspect of Leadership. And visibility doesn’t happen by accident.

I coached a mid-level executive who had been in the same role for nearly five years, consistently exceeding expectations, but never considered for promotion. "I thought my work would speak for itself," she told me. It did—but only to the people she was already supporting. The ones making promotion decisions didn't even know the extent of her contributions.

Through coaching, she realized she needed to stop being a best-kept secret and start advocating for herself. Within 90 days of intentionally showcasing her value, she was invited to lead a cross-functional project that became a stepping stone to a new role.

Personal leadership means making your own case before you expect someone else to.

🔍 The Inner Game of Leadership

Personal leadership starts inside—long before it shows up on a business card or org chart. It’s about self-awareness, intention, and alignment.

1. Lead with Intent, Not Just Urgency
Ever feel like your entire day is reacting to emails and meetings? That’s not leadership—that’s survival. True leaders carve out space to think, to plan, to ask: "Am I moving toward the career I want, or just the one I’ve ended up in?"

Try this: Block 30 minutes every week as "CEO time" on your calendar. Use it to reflect, strategize, and make proactive decisions about your career.

2. Audit Your Energy, Not Just Your Time
We often track our time but ignore our energy. I once coached a senior engineer who felt constantly drained. When we mapped his weekly activities, we discovered he was spending 60% of his time in meetings where his input wasn’t even required.

We restructured his schedule and delegated more effectively. Result? Not only did he get his energy back—he became more effective and influential in the areas that truly mattered.

Energy is a leader’s fuel. Guard it like gold.

3. Speak Up for What You Want
Too many professionals operate on the silent hope that someone will "tap them on the shoulder." Instead, what if you told your manager, "I’d like to explore a leadership path. What would that look like here?"

It’s not pushy—it’s proactive. And in leadership, proactive wins.

📈 The External Shift: From Contributor to Career Owner

I worked with a client in the healthcare sector who felt stuck in an operations role. When I asked him to describe his career goals, he said, "I just want to do good work and be recognized."

But as we dug deeper, we uncovered that he craved influence, innovation, and mentoring others. Yet his current role had no space for any of those.

The shift happened when he stopped asking, "How can I be more useful?" and started asking, "What does a career aligned with my values and strengths actually look like?"

Within six months, he had transitioned into a role that gave him strategic visibility, involved mentoring, and fulfilled his deeper purpose. He didn’t just change jobs—he redefined his leadership.

Leadership isn’t about managing teams. It’s about managing your direction.

💡 Real Talk: You Are "Me Inc."

Imagine you're the CEO of a company called "Me Inc." As CEO, your job is to make strategic decisions, invest wisely, innovate, and ensure long-term sustainability. Would you approve of how you're currently running things?

• Are you investing in your own development?

• Are you evaluating opportunities against your long-term vision?

• Are you hiring support where needed (mentors, coaches, allies)?

In "Me Inc.," YOU are the strategy team, marketing team, and operations all rolled into one. So if you're not planning, promoting, or reflecting—who is?

It may sound funny, but when you treat your career like a business you deeply care about, everything changes.

💡 Humor Break: Leadership Lessons from Coffee

One of my clients joked that she finally understood leadership the day she realized: "I'm not just brewing coffee anymore; I'm deciding why we even need coffee in the first place."

That’s it. Leadership is stepping back from the task to ask the bigger question. It’s trading "doing more" for "doing what matters most."

(And yes, coffee still helps.)

🤔 Reflection Questions to Journal This Week

• Where in my career am I playing small because it's safe?

• What bold step have I been delaying because it feels risky?

• What do I want my work to stand for?

• How would I show up differently if I truly believed I am the CEO of my career?

Block time this week to journal on just one of these questions. The insights might surprise you.

✅ Final Thought

Personal leadership doesn’t require permission, a title, or perfect timing. It requires ownership. It means showing up with clarity, courage, and conviction—even when the path isn’t clear.

You don’t need to control every variable. You just need to stop being a passenger.

Leadership begins when you say: "This is my direction, and I’m choosing it."

So... who’s leading your career now?

A COOL RESOURCE

Curious what might be your hidden superpower? Dive in and explore!

What if your next breakthrough didn’t come from fixing a weakness—but from doubling down on what you already do best? Boost Your Strength is a simple, yet powerful tool designed to help you identify your core strengths and uncover new ways to leverage them for greater impact and fulfillment. Whether you're navigating a transition or striving to lead with more confidence, this resource will give you fresh insights to elevate your game. 

In our Next Edition

Strategic Networking – Be Seen, Be Valued
Tired of networking that feels awkward, transactional, or just... pointless? In the next edition, we’ll reframe networking as a leadership skill—not a social obligation. Discover how to build meaningful connections, raise your visibility, and open new doors—without feeling fake or salesy.
Whether you're introverted, overwhelmed, or simply unsure where to start, this one’s for you.
Get ready to network with purpose, not pressure

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Whether you're navigating a transition or ready to lead with impact, this is your moment.

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CONNECT WITH ME

As a Leadership & Career Coach, I help professionals like you go from stuck to strategic.
If the content of this Newsletter resonates, share what you are reflecting on by booking a complimentary "Stuck to Strategic Discovery Call" to explore your path forward.

Until next time,
~ Amazing Coach Sri
Transforming Lives through Coaching

✉️ Email: contact@amazingcoachsri.com
🌐 Website: www.amazingcoachsri.com
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