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There is something reassuring about staying in our comfort zone.It feels safe. Predictable. Controlled.But if I look back at my own leadership journey, the moments that shaped me the most happened outside of that space.For many years I worked in a very male-dominated industry. Early in my career there were countless moments where I had to push myself far beyond what felt comfortable.I remember the first time I travelled on behalf of our company to present our performance to a room full of experienced executives from across Europe — people running large, established businesses.I felt completely out of my depth.My heart was racing. My hands were shaking. And I quite literally trembled my way through that presentation.At that moment the thoughts running through my mind were not particularly kind:Am I really capable of this? What if they realise I don’t belong here? What if I get it wrong?Fear. Self-doubt. Imposter syndrome.Looking back, I realise those feelings were not a sign that I shouldn’t be there.They were simply a sign that I had stepped into my stretch zone.And the only way forward was through it.The more I kept stepping into situations that felt uncomfortable, the more something interesting happened.What once felt terrifying slowly became manageable. Then familiar. Eventually… normal.The stretch zone became my new comfort zone.That is when I realised something very important:Growth rarely happens where things feel easy.At the time, however, I faced many of those moments alone.Coaching simply didn’t exist in the way it does today, and I often felt embarrassed to share my fears. In those environments vulnerability could easily be interpreted as weakness.If I had had access to coaching then, it would have been an enormous support.Because what I have learned over the years — through both experience and formal study — is that stepping beyond our comfort zone becomes far easier when we have the right tools, perspective, and support.Today, through <a data-mce-href="https://johannaparnisengland.com/1-1-coaching" href="https://johannaparnisengland.com/1-1-coaching" target="_blank" rel="noopener">1:1 coaching</a> and my<a data-mce-href="https://johannaparnisengland.com/leadership-women-group" href="https://johannaparnisengland.com/leadership-women-group" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> Leadership Programmes</a>, I support professionals who are navigating those very same moments.Learning how to recognise the beliefs that hold them back. Develop the confidence to step into new challenges. And grow into the leaders they are capable of becoming.So here is a question for you:Where in your life might you already know that growth is waiting — just outside your comfort zone?<a data-mce-href="https://calendly.com/jpebc/coaching-session" href="https://calendly.com/jpebc/coaching-session">Let's Chat.</a> &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;

Growth Begins Where Comfort Ends

We live in a world that rewards action.Keep moving. Keep producing. Keep solving problems.Very rarely are we encouraged to pause.Yet in coaching, one of the most powerful moments often begins with something surprisingly simple: reflection.Not analysing endlessly. Not overthinking.But pausing long enough to notice what is really happening within you.Your reactions. Your assumptions. Your patterns.One of my clients captured it beautifully during a coaching programme:“A very good space to spend some time to pause and reflect, which is something that I wouldn't normally do.”And this is something I hear often.Most people move from one responsibility to the next — work, decisions, family, expectations — rarely giving themselves the time or space to step back and ask:What is really going on here? Why did I react that way? What is this situation trying to show me?Without reflection, we tend to repeat the same patterns. The same thinking. The same responses.Coaching creates a space where that cycle slows down.It gives you the opportunity to step outside the constant noise of everyday demands and look at yourself, your decisions, and your leadership with fresh perspective.And something interesting happens in that space.You begin to notice things you hadn’t seen before.You recognise the beliefs that influence your decisions. You become more aware of how emotions shape your reactions. You see where your strengths are supporting you — and where old patterns may be holding you back.This is where growth begins.Not because someone gives you the answers.But because reflection allows you to see your own thinking more clearly.And when you see something clearly, you can choose differently.Over time, this simple practice becomes incredibly powerful.Reflection builds self-awareness. Self-awareness strengthens emotional intelligence. And emotional intelligence transforms the way you communicate, decide, and lead.It’s often one of the biggest takeaways people discover through coaching.Not a technique.Not a tool.But the discipline of creating space to pause and think more deeply about your own experience.In a world that constantly pushes you forward, reflection invites you to slow down just long enough to gain clarity.And sometimes that small pause changes everything.So here is a question for you:When was the last time you truly gave yourself the space to pause and reflect?If this idea resonates with you, you may enjoy exploring more about how reflection and emotional awareness shape leadership growth in my <a data-mce-href="https://johannaparnisengland.com/leadership-women-group" href="https://johannaparnisengland.com/leadership-women-group">L.E.A.D.E.R.S.H.I.P. Programme</a> or through <a data-mce-href="https://johannaparnisengland.com/1-1-coaching" href="https://johannaparnisengland.com/1-1-coaching">1:1 coaching</a> conversations.Sometimes the most valuable step forward begins with a moment of stillness.

The Power of Reflection: The Power in a Pause

The Leadership Skill No One Talks About Enough: Receiving Feedback We often talk about how to give feedback as leaders.We rarely talk about how to receive it.And yet, the moment feedback lands — especially the uncomfortable kind — is one of the most defining moments in leadership.Because feedback does not usually feel neutral.It can feel vulnerable. It can feel threatening. It can feel like a personal attack.Even the most experienced leaders can feel that internal shift: a tightening in the chest, a rush of defensiveness, the immediate urge to explain, justify, or correct the narrative.This reaction is human.But what we do next is leadership.Why Feedback Feels So Personal Feedback challenges more than behaviour — it often touches identity.If I see myself as competent and capable, and someone questions my communication or my decision-making, it can feel like they are questioning me.Our ego steps in to protect us.We defend. We rationalise. We minimise.But emotionally intelligent leadership asks for something different.It asks us to pause.To separate who we are from what we did.To understand that feedback is not a verdict on our worth — it is information about impact.The Leaders Who Grow Have a Thirst for Feedback The strongest leaders I work with share a common trait:They actively seek feedback.Not because they enjoy discomfort. But because they understand a fundamental truth:Feedback is data. Feedback is perspective. Feedback is growth.They know that without feedback, there is no refinement. Without refinement, there is no development. Without development, leadership stagnates.Good leaders do not equate feedback with failure. They equate it with learning.They are curious rather than defensive. Open rather than reactive.That does not mean they do not feel triggered.It means they have developed the capacity to regulate their emotions long enough to extract the learning.Receiving Feedback Is an Emotional Intelligence Skill Receiving feedback well requires:Self-awareness — recognising your emotional reaction in real time Emotional regulation — choosing not to respond from ego or fear Empathy — understanding the perspective of the other person Accountability — owning your impact without collapsing into shame This is not weakness.This is maturity.And in today’s leadership landscape — where teams expect transparency, growth, and authenticity — this skill is non-negotiable.Transformational Leadership Begins with Self-Leadership If we cannot receive feedback, we cannot evolve.If we cannot evolve, we cannot lead transformation.Inside my upcoming <a data-mce-href="https://johannaparnisengland.com/leadership-women-group" href="https://johannaparnisengland.com/leadership-women-group">L.E.A.D.E.R.S.H.I.P. Programme﻿</a> starting on 26th February, we will be working deeply on this.You will learn how to:Receive feedback without becoming defensive Regulate emotional reactions in the moment Separate identity from behaviour Turn challenging conversations into genuine leadership growth Because transformational leadership begins with leading yourself first.And sometimes, the most courageous leadership act is simply this:Listening. Without defending. Without attacking. Without shrinking.Just listening.And asking: What can I learn here? &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;

The Leadership Skill No One Talks About Enough: Receiving Feedback

Portrait of beautiful blonde business woman having informal meeting with handsome man in formal-wear at office hall.

<figure id="figure-ugvtbqq017mid395ch"><img id="ugvtbqq017mid395ch" src="https://cdn.durable.co/getty/e3S2WKsf1o7GopjMwR9PesC3UXfC9uXXn4uoo8TgTt44zW1jCuyevjxAdTZWuLvh.jpeg" alt="Portrait of beautiful blonde business woman having informal meeting with handsome man in formal-wear at office hall." title="Portrait of beautiful blonde business woman having informal meeting with handsome man in formal-wear at office hall." class="object-cover bg-gray-100 " style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;" data-corners="default" data-aspect="16:9" data-caption="" data-positionX="undefined" data-positionY="undefined" data-fullWidth="false"/></figure>In my coaching practice, I meet extraordinary professionals — intelligent, capable, experienced — who walk into their first session carrying a heavy and silent burden:“I’m not good enough.” “I’m not as capable as people think.” “One day they’ll realise I shouldn’t be here.”And the versions of this belief are endless.One client once told me, almost whispering: “I think they promoted me because the interviewer didn’t actually know who I was.”Another shared: “The only reason I got the job is because the other candidates were so bad. I feel like a temporary choice — like I’ll soon be replaced.”These are not junior professionals. These are smart, committed, highly skilled leaders — each with years of experience and a strong track record.Yet the inner narrative sounds the same: “I don’t deserve this.” “Others are better.” “I’m only here because of luck or a mistake.”This is imposter syndrome — and it shows up loudly in silence.&nbsp; What I See as a Coach Clients come to coaching believing their self-doubt is the truth.But self-doubt is not the truth. It’s a belief — often planted years ago, reinforced silently, and carried into every new opportunity.What’s remarkable is this:When we explore these beliefs together — when we trace them, challenge them, and hold them up to the light — every single client begins to see what was invisible before.They begin to notice evidence of their competence. They recall the praise they dismissed. They recognise the effort and discipline behind their achievements. They start replacing the old narrative with a more empowering one.Not because I give it to them, but because they discover it within themselves.&nbsp; A Shift Happens By the end of our work, the very same clients who once doubted their place begin to say things like:“I realise now how capable I actually am.”“I earned my position — I didn’t just fall into it.”“I’ve been minimising my strengths for years without realising.”Their presence changes. Their decision-making strengthens. Their self-leadership rises. And they stop comparing themselves to a world that wasn’t judging them in the first place.This shift is powerful — and it’s possible for anyone.&nbsp; What I Want You to Take Away If you have ever felt like you don’t deserve your role… If you’ve ever wondered whether you’re “good enough”… If you’ve ever dismissed your achievements as luck…You’re not alone — and you’re not seeing the whole picture.Imposter syndrome doesn’t mean you are incapable. It means you are human.And with the right support, reflection, and tools, the beliefs holding you back can be rewritten into ones that lift you forward.My clients are proof of that. Every single one left stronger, clearer, and more grounded in who they truly are — not who their fears told them they were.And you can too.

When Beliefs Become Barriers: What Coaching Helps You See

There was a time — not so long ago — when I kept putting off a conversation. It wasn’t dramatic. No argument, no major conflict. Just tension. Subtle, unspoken, lingering.You know the kind.That quiet disconnect with someone you work closely with. When you smile, but something feels off. When a comment lands a bit too sharply — and you pretend it didn’t.I told myself: “It’s not worth bringing up.” “I don’t want to make things awkward.” “Maybe I’m overreacting.”But the truth is — I wasn’t overreacting. I was avoiding.&nbsp; Why do we do this? As leaders, we’re often told to be strong, composed, strategic. But not always real. And certainly not vulnerable.So we wait. We soften our words. We stay polite — and silently uncomfortable.But avoidance doesn’t protect relationships. It erodes them.&nbsp; What changed? Eventually, I had the conversation I was dreading. It was uncomfortable. I was nervous. But I prepared. I got clear on what mattered. And I led with honesty and care.And what happened?Relief. Understanding. And a stronger connection than before.Not because I was perfectly eloquent. But because I was willing to show up — as myself.&nbsp; What about you? What conversation are you putting off? What’s not being said in your team, your leadership, your life? And what would be possible if you had the courage to face it?&nbsp; In my <a data-mce-href="https://johannaparnisengland.com/leadership-women-group" href="https://johannaparnisengland.com/leadership-women-group">L.E.A.D.E.R.S.H.I.P. Programme</a>, this is one of the most powerful turning points we explore — how to navigate difficult conversations and conflict with clarity, compassion, and confidence.Because leadership isn’t about avoiding the uncomfortable — it’s about walking through it, with intention.The next programme begins on the 22nd September, and this is one of the conversations we’ll have — together.👉<a data-mce-href="https://johannaparnisengland.com/leadership-women-group" href="https://johannaparnisengland.com/leadership-women-group"> Learn more here</a>It would be lovely to see you there,&nbsp; you won't be disappointed.WarmlyJohanna

The Conversation I Almost Didn’t Have

Leadership isn’t one-size-fits-all. And yet, many women find themselves defaulting to a familiar way of leading — often the one that’s brought them success so far. But what happens when that style no longer works in a new environment, with a new team, or under a new kind of pressure?That’s where leadership adaptability comes in.&nbsp; You Don’t Need to Be Just One Kind of Leader Many of us carry a belief that we have to choose a “style” and stick with it — whether that’s collaborative, directive, empowering, or strategic. But real leadership isn’t rigid. It’s dynamic.What if your strength is being empathetic — but your team is craving clarity and direction? Or you're naturally hands-off — but a crisis demands you step in and take charge?The most effective leaders don’t abandon who they are. They expand their range — learning to flex, shift, and respond with intention rather than habit.&nbsp; Leading with Self-Awareness In my coaching work, one of the most powerful insights for participants is this:“I didn’t realise how much I default to one style — and how freeing it is to know I have options.” Becoming aware of your preferred style — and recognising how it lands with others — is a game-changer. It’s not about changing who you are. It’s about choosing how you show up, based on what the moment calls for.That’s real leadership maturity.&nbsp; Adaptability Without Losing Yourself Adapting your leadership doesn’t mean becoming someone you’re not. It means intentionally expanding the tools in your toolbox so you can lead across different personalities, challenges, and cultures.It’s the difference between reacting and responding. Between operating on autopilot — and leading with awareness.One woman recently told me:“For the first time, I see how I can lead with flexibility — without feeling like I’m faking it.” &nbsp; Explore Your Leadership Style If you’re curious about how your natural leadership style shows up — and how to strengthen your adaptability without compromising who you are — this is the kind of work we explore in the L.E.A.D.E.R.S.H.I.P. Group Programme.It’s a six-session group coaching experience designed to help women lead with greater presence, purpose, and personal impact.The next round starts in September, and I’d love to have you join us. We have an early bird discount until 31st August.&nbsp; <a data-mce-href="https://johannaparnisengland.com/leadership-women-group" href="https://johannaparnisengland.com/leadership-women-group">Click to read</a> more about the programme.&nbsp;Warmly,Johanna

Expanding Your Range: Adapting Your Leadership Style with Confidence

Johanna Parnis England

Hi, I’m Johanna, a Senior Executive and Leadership Coach, I work with professionals who want to change the way they lead — starting with themselves.

My background is in business, not theory. I grew up in a fourth-generation family enterprise and spent over three decades leading in complex, high-pressure environments. That experience shapes how I coach: practical, grounded, and focused on real-world leadership challenges. 

I am really passionate about professional self-development and focus on working with clients to build on their confidence, self-belief, self-worth, emotional Intelligence and purpose.  My services are 1:1 coaching and group coaching programmes.

Blog

Growth Begins Where Comfort Ends

The Power of Reflection: The Power in a Pause

The Leadership Skill No One Talks About Enough: Receiving...

When Beliefs Become Barriers: What Coaching Helps You See

The Conversation I Almost Didn’t Have

Expanding Your Range: Adapting Your Leadership Style with...