October 2025 | 5min read
10 years ago, I was sitting in the same Master of Communications Management (MCM) program…
…juggling assignments, late-night group projects, celebrating our one-year wedding anniversary, three family weddings in that same two-year span of the program and a broken hand because of a bad martial arts injury!
Fast forward a decade .. and this time, I wasn’t the student.
I was the Teaching Assistant + Coach for the very same MCM program. This particular class: Leadership, Persuasion and the Successful Executive. .. Something I know a lil somethin’ somethin’ about 😁.
Even more full circle?
The instructor, Aislinn and I were both in the same cohort 10 years ago. She’s now a fantastic leader, educator and facilitator .. a great example of authentic leadership in action.
Stepping into this experience .. now as a coach and facilitator .. hit differently.
It reminded me that personal growth and leadership development aren’t always loud or dramatic. Sometimes it’s a slow, steady evolution that brings you right back to where you started, but as a different person.
Leadership in Motion
This group of MCM students was exceptional. Insightful. Honest. Courageous.
They showed up every time with curiosity and vulnerability .. two things that sit at the heart of leadership and coaching.
Leaders .. Am I right or am I right?
Something different we offered students in this class – 1:1 leadership coaching. And yours truly had the privilege of conducting these coaching sessions!
Through these 1:1 coaching sessions, I got to witness leadership in motion.
These weren’t academic conversations.
They were real-time problem-solving moments. Leaders navigating pressure, purpose, and progress .. all at once.
Coaching themes that stood out
Across our coaching sessions, a few themes consistently came up .. the kind that apply far beyond the classroom.
1. Clarity & Confidence
When clarity went up, hesitation went down. Defining the “why” turned uncertainty into confident action. A key skill in executive leadership.
2. Authentic Leadership
Each student found their own leadership voice .. balancing assertiveness and approachability.
3. Visibility & Influence
Owning their impact was a recurring theme. Leadership isn’t just about doing good work .. it’s about being seen for it. The essence of personal strategic communication.
4. Resilience & Balance
Many faced heavy workloads and change. The lesson? Manage energy, not just time. True resilient leadership.
5. Connection & Collaboration
Relationships deepened when communication became more intentional. A cornerstone of team engagement.
6. Growth Mindset
Every single one of them showed curiosity .. using feedback as fuel, not friction. The foundation of continuous learning.
7. Identity in Leadership
Perhaps the most powerful theme: leadership isn’t just about what you do .. it’s about who you’re becoming. This is leadership transformation in action.
Reflection in Action
Our coaching experience became a mirror.
One that helped students see themselves more clearly and act more intentionally.
This is what leadership development truly is, isn’t it?
Reflection that turns into action.
To this MCM class: You’ve built momentum. Now sustain it .. through reflection, routines, and showing up intentionally every day.
To others reading this: Whether you’re leading a team, managing your career, or just starting out .. keep reflecting, refining, and realigning who you are with who you’re becoming. Build your competence, then your confidence, and finally your certainty .. in this order.
This is leadership in action.
Conquer yourself!
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