Becoming a Transformational Coach: From Leadership to Transformation
What Transformational Coaching Really Means and Why It Matters
I never planned to become a coach. 11 years ago, I was simply someone desperate for a career change, searching for any opportunity to grow beyond my role. When WWF International offered in-house coach training, I jumped at the chance – not because I had a burning passion for coaching, but because it felt like a step toward something new. Little did I know that this decision, born from a sense of restlessness and wanting something more, would ignite a fire in me that's been burning for over a decade.
At the time, I was also pursuing an Executive MBA – if only I'd known then that my real passion wasn't in traditional business leadership, but in personal and professional development. This combination of experiences opened doors to Organizational Development work, and eventually led me to a role as the Director of Design at a leadership development consultancy. My passion for helping others grow was becoming clearer, and I decided to go all in – completing professional coach training with Co-Active Training Institute in Singapore.
Seven years ago, I took that passion and turned it into The Courage Factory, my first B2B business, and AmandaParker.co, my first B2C business. The mission felt clear: humanize the workplace by developing more self-aware, heart-centered leaders. As an Executive and Leadership Coach, I worked with hundreds of leaders through one-on-one coaching, group sessions, and corporate leadership programs. On paper, I was helping them become better leaders. But something unexpected began to emerge in these sessions.
The Shift from Traditional to Transformational Coaching
I loved my clients. But in every coaching engagement, there was this fascinating pattern emerging – what began as "leadership coaching" naturally flowed into deeper territory. The lines between professional and personal development weren't just blurring; they were revealing themselves as entirely artificial.
The truth became increasingly clear: leaders don't fragment themselves into "work self" and "home self." They're complex human beings operating within intricate systems that touch every aspect of their lives. A leader sitting across from me wasn't just a CEO or manager – they were also a parent, a child, a spouse, a friend, a caregiver. As an entrepreneur myself, I intimately understood that we're not just business owners, but humans chasing dreams while wrestling with our own limiting beliefs and often, the skepticism of those around us.
This realization fundamentally shifted my understanding of coaching. I found myself less interested in surface-level leadership strategies and more drawn to the deeper work. Yes, my clients became more effective and productive leaders – but that was a natural byproduct of something more profound. The real transformation happened when they were ready to dive deep, to really know themselves, and to become who they were meant to be rather than who they thought they should be.
What Makes Transformational Coaching Different
I began to notice a pattern: my most fulfilling client relationships weren't with those seeking quick fixes or simple productivity hacks. They were with the brave souls willing to question everything about how they showed up in the world – at work, at home, and everywhere in between.
Let me be clear: there's nothing wrong with seeking expertise in business strategy, team leadership, or skill development. There are brilliant consultants, trainers, and mentors who excel at teaching these vital skills. I've done that work too. But that's not coaching – at least, not the kind of coaching I've come to believe in.
True coaching, especially transformational coaching, is about awakening your inner wisdom and resources. It's about developing such a deep trust in yourself that you can make decisions aligned with your values, purpose, and mission – even when those decisions challenge the status quo. It's about fundamentally changing your relationship with yourself and the world around you.
What does this look like in practice? We examine every system and structure in your life – from relationships to career, from beliefs to physical well-being – with the assumption that anything is possible. Together, we explore your boldest vision for the future and the subtle ways you might be holding yourself back. We uncover patterns, habits, and automatic assumptions that either support or hinder your growth. And then, we begin the careful work of rewriting these stories based on who you're becoming, not who you've been told to be.
The Journey of Transformational Change
Here's what I want you to understand about transformation: it's not a weekend workshop or a one-time breakthrough. It's a journey that unfolds over time, requiring both courage and patience. The process is beautiful but rarely linear.
Along the way, you'll face moments of doubt. The people in your life might struggle to understand your changes – some may even resist them. This is natural. When you begin to transform, it creates ripples that touch everyone around you. Some people will be inspired by your journey; others might feel challenged by it, forcing them to confront their own resistance to change.
But here's what makes it all worthwhile: imagine waking up and feeling deeply aligned with who you are. Picture looking in the mirror and genuinely being proud of the person you see – not because you've achieved some external measure of success, but because you're living authentically. Envision making decisions from a place of self-trust rather than fear or obligation.
This vision isn't just a dream. I've witnessed it become reality for clients who were willing to do this deep work. These aren't just the dreamers – they're the doers. They're the visionaries, entrepreneurs, leaders, and healers who sensed there was more to life than following predetermined scripts. They're the ones who were brave enough to admit that despite their apparent success, something felt missing.
The Impact of Transformational Coaching
This journey to becoming a transformational coach wasn't what I expected when I first said "yes" to that in-house training opportunity over a decade ago. But it has shown me something profound: when we're willing to question everything we thought we knew about success, leadership, and fulfillment, we open the door to extraordinary possibilities.
This is why I transitioned from traditional leadership coaching to transformational work. Because I've seen, time and time again, that the most powerful changes happen when we're willing to go beyond surface-level improvements and dive into the deeper questions of who we are and who we want to become.
The greatest privilege of my work is witnessing people step into their full potential – not by following someone else's blueprint for success, but by having the courage to write their own story. That's the power of transformational coaching. And that's the work I am so proud to do.
Amanda is a transformational coach and intuitive guide who helps women healers to connect, learn, and elevate their impact. She is the founder of the Women Healers Collective and hosts the Don’t Sep on the Bluebells podcast. Learn more about working together at www.amandaparker.co
Here are three ways I can help you on your journey:
#1: Join the Women Healers Collective: If you’re a healer looking for a peer community to go deeper, connect, learn, and grow your practice – applications are now open!
#2: Listen to Don’t Step on the Bluebells: Learn about different healing modalities through stories and expertise from incredible healers worldwide as they share their medicine. New episode drops Feb 6th!
#3: Get personalized support: I offer 1:1 support for clients ready to fully commit to their personal growth journey. Let’s talk about how I can help you reach your goals.