The inner dialogue of leaders and coaches: overcoming the four buckets of derailers for growth

Within every leader and coach, there's a deep-seated courage that drives leadership development. Yet, this journey is often challenged, particularly when creating an organisational vision or building a coaching practice. As we embark on new projects or drive change management in our organisations, the internal voices of self-doubt act as our greatest derailers, challenging our courage and executive presence and hindering momentum.

Recognising these internal obstacles is the first step toward overcoming them. They frequently surface just as we're on the verge of a major professional shift - whether it's pursuing C-Suite coaching or integrating digital transformation & AI - attempting to pull us back into what's comfortable.

The four buckets of professional derailers

Understanding these four categories of internal challenges allows executive coaches to better support their clients and leaders to better navigate their own psychological landscape. This framework is particularly useful for women in leadership aiming to break the glass ceiling for women.

1 The fear of safety

This foundational challenge is rooted in basic survival instincts. When we step out to be visible - a business coach launching a new service or an executive championing a new vision - a primal voice questions, "Is it safe to stand out?" If ignored, this fear can contribute to anxiety and burnout and lead to abandoning the journey entirely.

2 The crisis of identity

As a leader's or coach's role expands - perhaps moving into C-suite coaching or gaining an ICF credential - their identity must evolve. This challenge forces us to confront deeply held beliefs about ourselves, including outdated ideas about gender or social roles. Mastering this crisis requires significant emotional intelligence and self-awareness.

3 The question of worthiness

When reaching for something substantial - like becoming a CXO coach or claiming a major promotion - a persistent voice asks, "Am I really worthy of this success?" This derailer is rooted in internal beliefs about self-value and can be a powerful force preventing us from leveraging our full executive presence.

4 The beliefs around success and money

This bucket is full of often unconscious beliefs about achievement and wealth. The internal dialogue might say, "My work should be free," or "My family has only ever achieved this much." For a coach or leader, these limiting beliefs can restrict their ability to charge appropriately, at times hinder effective delegation, and stall the growth of their practice or business.

Conclusion: creating internal alignment

Creating internal alignment is essential to manifest what we desire. We must acknowledge that our past life experiences are allies, confirming that we have the knowledge and ability to succeed again.

For both the leader and the coach, the job isn't to eliminate these internal voices, but to meet them with courage. By maintaining awareness of these four buckets, we can move past the derailers and focus on creating the life and practice we truly want.

Many thanks to Shruti for her guest blog.

Author biography:

Author Bio

Shruti Sonthalia, MCC, is an executive coach, supervisor, and leadership transformation specialist. She works with senior leaders across global markets to navigate complexity, embody coaching mindsets, and lead with integrity. She is committed to advancing coaching as a profession grounded in responsibility, presence, and inclusive impact.