By Kushani Bandara
PCC Certified Coach | CMA Country Director – Northern Europe
When I first reflected on this month’s theme — “The Coach’s Compass: Aligning Purpose and Practice” — it struck a deep chord within me. It felt as though the theme was speaking directly to my own journey, especially in this second phase of my life.
Not too long ago, everything around me changed almost overnight. I got married and moved to a new country — a transition that felt both exciting and disorienting. My life did a complete 360. The professional environment I had before the move was one that deeply nurtured my growth as a coach. It was where I discovered my potential, found my rhythm, and built my confidence. It shaped the coach I am today.
But suddenly being away from that space — from the colleagues who inspired me, the clients who trusted me, and the culture that valued growth — felt like being stripped of a part of my identity. For the first time, I questioned whether I was still the same coach.
I’ve always considered myself resilient and adaptable; change has never scared me. Yet, this time it was different. The shift touched every aspect of my life — my work, my home, my sense of belonging. I started doubting my abilities, wondering if perhaps my confidence had only been a reflection of my old environment. The thoughts crept in quietly: “Maybe I was just winging it. Maybe I was never that good.”
Then, one afternoon, a family friend shared a personal struggle he’d been facing for nearly a year. Without even realizing it, I found myself leaning in — listening deeply, asking reflective questions, creating space for his thoughts to unfold. What began as a casual chat transformed into a powerful conversation. When he left, he told me he felt lighter, more at peace, and clearer about what to do next.
That moment reminded me of something essential: coaching isn’t confined to an office, a title, or an environment. It flows from within us. My ability to create that space, to evoke awareness and transformation in others, didn’t disappear with my move — it traveled with me. It was a reflection of who I am, not where I was.
Even as coaches, we aren’t immune to imposter syndrome. We question our worth, especially when external circumstances shift. Over time, I’ve learned that when those feelings surface, they’re not signs of failure — they’re signals inviting me to realign with my core.
In those moments, I turn to a simple self-reflection tool that helps me recalibrate my inner compass:
- Pause and Name the Feeling
– I begin by acknowledging what I’m feeling — doubt, fear, inadequacy, or uncertainty. Naming it gives it shape and takes away its power. - Reconnect with My ‘Why’
– I remind myself why I became a coach in the first place. Who did I want to serve? What difference did I want to make? Returning to that purpose always grounds me. - Revisit Evidence of Growth
– I reflect on moments that reaffirmed my impact — a client breakthrough, a heartfelt message, a moment of insight. These remind me that my work has meaning. - Shift the Lens
– I ask myself, “If my client were feeling this way, what would I say to them?” This perspective always brings compassion and clarity. - Anchor in Action
– I take one small step — journaling, a gratitude note, a short coaching conversation, or even a moment of silence — to reconnect with my strength.
Each time I walk myself through this process, I find my way back to center. The doubt softens. My purpose feels clearer. My confidence feels real again — not because everything outside me is perfect, but because I’ve remembered who I am within.
The truth is, our compass never truly breaks. It simply needs recalibrating when life spins us in new directions. And when we pause to listen — really listen — it always points us home: back to purpose, back to authenticity, back to the heart of why we coach.