By: Hasira Gelaka Kandanearachchi
Junior Executive – HR Talent Management
Purpose can be a daunting idea when you really think about it. It’s what drives us — the reason we get out of bed in the morning. Many of us spend our lives searching for purpose and meaning, and when we find it, it can guide us and keep us true to ourselves.
That’s why discovering my own purpose has been so important to me. The journey hasn’t been easy — at times, it’s been confusing — but it’s also been deeply exciting and rewarding.
When I look back, I think I’ve always had a sense of my purpose, even if I didn’t fully recognize it. Whether I wanted to be a software engineer, pursued a degree in psychology, or now work in HR — the common thread was always the desire to help people. Once I realized that, everything began to make more sense. My path didn’t narrow; it actually expanded. Helping others is such a broad and versatile purpose that I could align with it no matter what role I took on.
So why coaching?
Coaching introduced me to a different lens through which to view change — one that focuses not on the past, but on the future. That was a powerful shift for me. I’ve always been an optimistic person, and coaching validated that perspective. As I learned more, I began to see how much my own values were reflected in the practice: presence, growth, and partnership.
One of the most meaningful things about coaching is that it doesn’t just support the client — it also grows the coach. The relationship formed between coach and client becomes a space for mutual discovery. In my own practice, I’ve learned just how deeply I value connection, vulnerability, and being truly present with another human being.
The more I coach, the more I understand that effective coaching isn’t about “fixing” someone. It’s about being with them — sitting in that space together, mindfully, and trusting the process. It’s not, “What can I do for this client?” but rather, “Where is the client right now, and how can they move forward from here?” Acting as a guide and mirror may sound simple, but it can lead to profound change.
What touches me most about coaching is that it invites vulnerability — from both the coach and the client. As coaches, we create a space where our clients can take brave steps into the unknown. That resonates deeply with me. In my own life, I’ve found that the more vulnerable I allow myself to be, the more deeply I connect with others. Coaching gives me the chance to offer that same kind of space — and that feels like a gift.
In many ways, coaching hasn’t just reflected my values — it has amplified them. It began with a desire to help people, but coaching became the conduit through which I could truly live that purpose. Staying aligned with it keeps me grounded. It acts as an internal compass — a blueprint that helps me show up authentically, play to my strengths, and create space for others to be seen and heard.
One of the most important lessons I’ve learned is that purpose isn’t fixed — it evolves. While the core might stay the same, how we live out our purpose can shift with time and experience. In the beginning, I simply wanted to help people. Now, I see that my purpose is to help people by holding space for them, walking alongside them, and navigating life’s challenges together. Allowing my purpose to grow has been one of my greatest strengths.
So purpose is like an old friend, they will change and grow with you but deep down they are still the same.