A bright spot

How often do you feel seen in your work, or get feedback that really speaks to you? When it happens, which is rare, you have to really take a moment to let it sink in. Work has its ups and downs, and taking time to appreciate the gems is so important, to remind you why you do what you do! I am glad to be able to capture a recent bright spot here.

Last week I was connected with an amazing young woman who wanted help preparing for her interview for admission to a top professional school. We met once to get to know each other and talk through her goals and the central messages she wanted to communicate to the interviewers. I got a good sense of her, how she speaks, and how she might polish and channel her already impressive energy. I gave her some feedback on specific areas of her speech, and we met a second time to practice for the interview. 

She had the interview yesterday, and wrote me this message, unprompted: 

I wanted to share that I just wrapped my interview and honestly, it went really well. I felt grounded, clear, and much more intentional in how I showed up than I would have a few months ago.

I kept thinking about your feedback around upward intonation, being decisive in my delivery, and using my breath to slow myself down and land my points. Those tools made a real difference, especially in moments where the conversation became more reflective or emotional. I felt present rather than rushed, which is something I’m really proud of.

Thank you for the time, care, and thoughtfulness you brought to coaching me through this process. No matter what happens next, I know I showed up as myself and your guidance helped me be more confident and assured in doing so. 

What’s better than getting a message like this? I am so glad to know that she felt confident and present in the interview, and impressed by how she articulated the value of my coaching. It’s exciting when someone who has worked with you authentically sees your strengths and shares them in such a real and powerful way. As she says, no matter what happens, she learned and showed up as a more confident version of herself. But we can all send out some positive vibes that she will get good news soon!

Would you like help preparing for an important interview? Could you use support with landing your message and keeping your speech focused and intentional? Check out my Engaged Communication guide, and connect with me!