Meet Meera, a 38-year-old mother of two who juggles her role as a team leader at a multinational company in Mumbai with managing her home. Like many of us, her morning starts at 6 AM – making tiffins, getting kids ready for school, and preparing for a day full of meetings. Some days, she felt like she was running on a treadmill that never stopped.
The Turning Point
One particularly challenging Wednesday, after a heated team meeting and a call from her son's school about a missed parent-teacher meeting, Meera sat in her office feeling overwhelmed. "How do others make it look so easy?" she wondered. That's when her HR department introduced something that would change her life – a leadership coaching program.
What is Coaching, Really?
Think of coaching like having a trusted friend who's been where you are but doesn't tell you what to do. Instead, they help you find your own answers. It's not like those motivation videos you watch at 2 AM when you can't sleep, or the advice your well-meaning relatives give at family functions.
Meera's Coaching Journey
The First Step
Initially, Meera was reluctant. But she decided to start with only what was most important at that moment
Learning to Balance
Through coaching, Meera learned something interesting. She was using the same approach at work that she used at home – trying to do everything herself. Her coach asked her simple but powerful questions:
- "What would happen if you didn't check every email your team sends?"
- "How can you involve your family in home responsibilities?"
- "What does success look like for you, not others?"
The Changes Begin
At Work
Meera started making small but significant changes:
- Instead of staying late to finish everything, she learned to prioritize
- She began delegating tasks to her team members, helping them grow
- Her meetings became shorter and more focused
- She started speaking up in meetings with senior management, sharing her unique perspectives
At Home
The transformation wasn't just professional:
- She involved her children in age-appropriate household tasks
- Her husband and she created a shared responsibility calendar
- She blocked "me-time" in her schedule, even if it was just 30 minutes
- Family meals became a time for planning and sharing, not just eating
Real Results in Real Life
Finding Her Voice
"Earlier, I would hesitate to speak up in meetings because I thought my ideas weren't good enough," Meera shares. "My coach helped me see that my perspective as a mother and manager gives me unique problem-solving abilities."
Building Better Teams
She noticed that the same patience she used with her teenage daughter worked wonders with younger team members. Her empathy and understanding created a more supportive work environment.
Managing Time Better
"I learned to stop being a perfectionist about everything," she says. "Not every presentation needs to be perfect, and not every meal needs to be Instagram-worthy."
How Coaching Helps in Everyday Situations
Handling Difficult Conversations
Whether it's giving feedback to a team member or discussing grades with your child, coaching helps you approach conversations with clarity and compassion.
Making Tough Decisions
From choosing between project deadlines to deciding about your child's extracurricular activities, coaching helps you make decisions that align with your values.
Setting Boundaries
Learning to say "no" without guilt – whether to additional work responsibilities or social obligations.
The Ripple Effect
As Meera grew more confident, something beautiful happened. Other women in her office started coming to her for advice. Her children became more independent. Her team's productivity improved. She wasn't just surviving anymore – she was thriving.
Practical Takeaways from Coaching
- Start Your Day Right
- Take 10 minutes for yourself before the morning rush
- Plan your day's top three priorities
- Delegate with Trust
- At work: Trust your team with important tasks
- At home: Involve family members in household responsibilities
- Communication is Key
- Clear communication reduces misunderstandings
- Regular check-ins at work and home prevent problems
Is Coaching Right for You?
Ask yourself:
- Do you feel stretched too thin between work and home?
- Are you looking to grow in your career while maintaining family balance?
- Do you want to be more confident in your decisions?
The Journey Continues
Today, Meera still faces challenges, but she handles them differently. "Coaching didn't make my problems disappear," she says, "but it gave me the tools to handle them better."
A Final Thought
Remember the safety instruction in airplanes – put on your own oxygen mask before helping others? That's what coaching helps you do. It helps you take care of yourself so you can take better care of your work and family.
Whether you're managing a team at work or managing your home (or both!), coaching can help you find your balance. After all, leadership isn't just about managing others – it's about managing yourself first.
Start small, be patient with yourself, and remember – you're doing better than you think you are.