How Katherine Transitioned from Feeling Like a Fraud as a New Manager to Leading with Confidence and Trust in Her Team
Why did Katherine decide to coach with Alex?
As a first-time leader, Katherine quickly discovered that theory and reality were worlds apart. Despite the training she’d completed, she didn’t feel prepared to handle the day-to-day challenges of leadership.
She was constantly second-guessing herself and felt the weight of responsibility pressing down.
“I was blaming myself all the time.”
Her team meetings often fell flat, with little engagement or contribution.
And the pressure to always have the answers left her feeling isolated. She didn’t yet see herself as a leader, more like someone just trying to get through.
“I was counting down the weeks until it ended.”
The more she pushed herself to cope alone, the heavier it felt.
“Going to work felt like putting on battle gear.”
When Katherine’s acting leadership role was extended, things came to a breaking point. Each day felt heavier than the last.
Moments of self-doubt hit hard, leaving her questioning whether she even belonged in leadership.
Katherine didn’t lack capability, she lacked the confidence, clarity, and support she needed to navigate the realities of leadership. After a moment of self-doubt with her direct leader, that was when her manager brought in a coach to help.
“I now trust my team, and they have more confidence in themselves.”
What did Katherine take away?
Katherine found immense value in the way coaching with Alex gave her practical, real-time support. Instead of walking away with another workbook, she walked away with tools she could apply immediately.
“I went from silence in meetings to three-hour conversations I had to cut off.”
“I shouldn’t have been blaming myself all the time. I needed to start being kinder to myself.”
Through coaching, she started to see herself differently.
“I now trust my team, and they have more confidence in themselves.”
“It gave me confidence in myself and in my team - not just theory, but in practice.”
“You’re fierce. You’re direct. You’re genuine. You’re supportive.”
What does life look like now?
Katherine no longer feels like she’s just surviving as a manager. She has stepped into her leadership role with clarity, trust, and confidence.
“I actually see myself as a leader now.”
Her team meetings are energised and collaborative. She feels less pressure to carry everything on her shoulders, and her team has grown stronger alongside her.
In Katherine’s words about Alex
“You’re fierce. You’re direct. You’re genuine. You’re supportive.”
“Life changing.”
“I actually see myself as a leader now.”
Ready to build on your own leadership and confidence?
I'm ready, let's goAlex Bakowski acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of the lands on which we live, work and flow. I pay my respects to the Whadjuk people of the Noongar nation, Elders and to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples.
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