Why I decided to become a coach
From time to time, people ask me who I am and why I decided to embark on the path of an Executive Leadership Coach. I'm on a mission of positive impact through audacious courage.
I grew up the 3rd oldest of 8 in Phoenix, Arizona. We were poor, and most of our extended family lived on the other side of the country. My Dad struggled as an entrepreneur, and my Mom went back to work as a Social Worker to help provide financial stability.
I felt invisible, like I was all alone in a crowded room.
My family attended church most Sundays, and my Dad enjoyed serving in various roles in the church.
I was hiding a secret that I was afraid would drastically alter my life. I was gay.
I began 6th grade at a new school and was looking forward to living in a place where I could finally be surrounded by people who looked like me.
At this school, I was teased and bullied for being different. They mocked my intelligence, belittled my mindset, and ridiculed the way I spoke. I was even called an "Oreo" – black on the outside, white on the inside.
What I really wanted more than anything was to truly belong, to feel accepted and appreciated, and to be loved for who I truly was.
There's a deep-rooted masculinity ideology in the Black community that stigmatizes being gay. This toxic masculinity left me feeling like I had to hide my true self for over 24 years. I was also terrified of how being my authentic self would impact my career advancement opportunities and quality relationships.
Two major catalysts caused me to decide to become an Executive Leadership Coach.
The first occurred in 2015. My Dad passed away from Cancer. The event caused me to reflect deeply, and I began to pray and look for opportunities to make a bigger impact and bring more fulfillment to my life.
The second occurred in 2017. I attended a life-changing leadership training experience, where I worked with a powerful leadership coach, Christine Mann.
During that experience, I reflected on my two decades of leading teams and realized that coaching was the part of the job I loved the most. Helping people develop and find the "aha" moments that would profoundly impact their lives and create a ripple effect. This was incredibly rewarding. Until this point, I had only known it as leadership.
I decided to become a coach for multiple reasons. Here are some of them:
To make a positive impact.
To create more authentic, visible, and confident leaders.
To create a sacred space for people to be deeply seen, heard, and loved for who they are.
To be a voice of encouragement, hope, and inspiration so that others may shine their light bold and bright.
To be a truth-teller.
To support people as they create space for more abundance, joy, and freedom.
If you resonate with anything you've read here, let's have a conversation.
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Shermain
