One of the most important (and hardest) jobs of an executive coach is telling leaders what they need to hear—even when they don’t want to hear it.

Over the years, I’ve had countless conversations where a simple insight landed hard but ultimately helped my client’s level up their leadership.

Here are 15 of those exchanges—some tough, all transformational. Hope they resonate with you too.

1. Your behavior speaks louder than your words. And it’s contagious.
2. Listening is a superpower. Listen until you disappear, and watch the magic happen.
3. Great leaders ask more questions than they answer. Teach others how to think, not what to do.
4. Never ignore your intuition. It doesn’t lie to you.
5. 99.9% of people want to do their best. When they mess up, give them grace. They’re harder on themselves than you ever could be.
6. Slow down to finish fast. Meet folks where they are, not where you wish they were, and go from there.
7. Don’t trick yourself into thinking you control everything. Focus only on what’s actually in your hands.
8. Fear is often False Evidence Appearing Real. If it’s in your head, you have the power to shift it.
9. Everyone—yes, everyone—deals with imposter syndrome. It’s proof you’re growing.
10. Perfectionism isn’t a badge of honor—it’s self-absorption. Shift your focus to helping others do their best. That’s real leadership.
11. Balance tasks and people. Prioritizing one over the other leads to subpar results.
12. Be kind. Always. No exceptions.
13. Don’t assume what people think or feel. Ask. Listen. Then act.
14. If you think you have said or done something you shouldn’t have, you have. Go fix it.
15. Everything above is easier to say than do. Mastery takes practice.

Copyright 2025. Sheila Madden. All Rights Reserved.