Deep Roots Before Tall Branches: Why Grounded Growth Matters in Leadership Coaching
Have you ever been told to “fake it until you make it”?
So many leaders have. I definitely have. While that advice might get you through a high-stakes meeting or new challenge, it rarely feels sustainable, or authentic.
That’s because true leadership isn’t about performance. It’s about presence. And that presence starts with what’s happening below the surface.
The Problem with Surface-Level Leadership Development
Corporate leadership development often jumps straight to the “doing”. Strategic planning, communication skills, influence and negotiating tactics. But when leaders aren’t rooted in who they are, even the most impressive toolkit can feel shaky.
You might have all the right credentials, earn the promotion, and manage a high-performing team, but still feel like an imposter.
Because if leadership is built on external expectations without internal alignment, it’s like building branches without roots.
What if We Ground Ourselves First?
What does grounding first look like in leadership coaching?
Leadership coaching isn’t about quick fixes. It’s about spaciousness. The space to pause and ask: What am I nourishing that no one else sees?
In my work with leaders, we start with what’s underneath:
➝ Your values
➝ Your inner narratives
➝ Your sense of safety and self-trust
➝ How your body signals misalignment
“This isn’t fluff. It’s the foundation. Grounded coaching helps you lead from a place of integrity so your decisions, presence, and impact feel authentic to who you are.”
The Results of Rooted Growth
When leaders grow inward first, outward growth becomes more intentional—and more sustainable.
You feel less reactive and more clear-headed.
You respond to conflict with groundedness, not panic.
You lead with both direction and care.
You become the kind of leader others trust—not just because you have authority, but because you feel solid in yourself.
A Note for HR and L&D Professionals
In organizational settings, leadership coaching can be mistaken as a tool for fixing gaps or remediating performance issues. I believe the real power lies in planting deeper roots.
When coaching supports reflection, psychological safety and self-trust, leaders stop faking it and start embodying it. This is where cultural shifts happen. When burnout decreases and belonging grows.
If your organization values inclusion and long-term growth, consider how leadership coaching can start below the surface.
Conclusion: Root First, then Reach.
Growth that lasts starts at the roots. It begins with self-awareness, clarity, and an unshakeable sense of belonging. So, if you’ve been feeling shaky in your role or unsure of your impact, pause and ask: What parts of me need tending, not fixing?
Ready to grow? Explore the Modern Leader Package or reach out for a no-cost discovery call to plant deeper roots in your leadership journey.
Leadership that belongs to you doesn’t start with a title. It starts in your own soil. 🌿
Gratefully,
Jacquelin