Three life lessons coaching taught me

How do I measure the kind of success that truly matters to me this year? That’s the question I asked myself early on.

Here is part of my answer: “What matters the most is the positive impact I can have on people”

So, I'll measure success by the number of people I listen to with compassion, the people I support, coach, and inspire — even if it’s just one meaningful reflection about Leadership.

By the moments when I motivate someone, practice patience, contribute to their personal growth and self‑development, apologize when I make a mistake, or simply choose to lead with enthusiasm and love.

And many of these moments of positive impact, including the very first question I asked myself at the start of the year, are deeply connected to my path as a Coach.

Today, I’m sharing three life lessons that have emerged from my coaching experience so far:

1. People have a profound need to be listened to, especially when they’re struggling. And there is no real understanding without real listening.

2. Being intentional with our words has always mattered but crafting great questions is what truly will shape our future and our humanity.

3. I wanted to become a Coach, to help people, and to stay humble. That means committing to continuous learning and seeking coaching for myself as well.

About Lesson n.1:

"People have a profound need to be listened to, especially when they’re struggling. And there is no real understanding without real listening."

I never truly thought about the depth of listening until I began my Coaching journey. Many people I’ve met in corporate environments say that communication is key to Leadership. And I agree but we often forget that a fundamental part of communication is listening.

Furthermore, successful communication isn’t achieved when you deliver a message; it’s achieved when the other person receives it as you intended.

One of the most impactful lessons I’ve learned at a human level through coaching is the importance of acknowledging the reality the other person is experiencing. For example, imagine someone tells you they suddenly lost their job and are struggling to find a new one.

And when you respond with:

“Losing your job is definitely a difficult situation, and it sounds like you’re going through a lot right now,”

they feel seen and understood.

This practice has had a profound impact on me, both when I experienced coaching for the first time and now when I coach others. It helps reduce emotional intensity and creates the foundation for exploring new possibilities. And, this is where trust begins to form.

About Lesson n.2:

Being intentional with our words has always mattered but crafting great questions is what truly will shape our future and our humanity.

There is a lot happening around asking questions. In my opinion, it should be a mandatory course in universities nowadays.

Think about it: the better the question you craft (whether for a person or even for an AI) the greater the quality of the answer. And sometimes, a great question reveals more about your reasoning and experience than any opinion ever could.

My two cents: How and What questions are the perfect pair in Coaching. These open‑ended questions allow people to describe their situation and perspective without judgment. From there, you follow your intuition and if you truly listen, your intuition will point you to the next relevant topic to explore.

For example: “What makes you say that?”, “How are you building your career path right now?” or “What is the skills gap between mid‑level and senior‑level roles?”

About Lesson n.3:

I wanted to become a Coach, to help people, and to stay humble. That means committing to continuous learning and seeking coaching for myself as well.

How could I understand or promote the power of Coaching without experiencing it myself?

Coaching is not mentorship, therapy, or consulting. Here are a few distinctions:

• Consultants advise their clients about how to solve problems.

• Coaches guide their clients to their own solutions.

• Therapists are experts in medical and behavioral sciences trained to treat diagnosable conditions.

• Coaches use questions and reflection to highlight their client’s strengths and areas in need of development and then help the client uncover their own wisdom and solutions.

Coaching is an experience of growth and development over time; one where you are accompanied, not directed. It requires the leadership to know what you want, so the end goal you’re moving toward. It also requires the openness to be challenged by questions and that brings new awareness. And from that new awareness, you begin to create new solutions.

I hope these lessons bring you closer to Coaching, so, to ask more meaningful questions, listening with compassion, and, most importantly, creating a positive impact on the people around you.

Today, I'm so excited to share my Coaching website with you:

paolamartinezacevedo.com

This coaching practice is entirely independent from my role at Baker Hughes and does not conflict with my responsibilities or commitments within the company.

Paola,

Career and Leadership Coach - Lead with passion, enthusiasm, and humanity.