SFIO 202: Messy Growth, Inner Wisdom, and Leadership That Lasts

Episode Summary

In this heartfelt and idea-packed episode, Marc and Emily Pitman reflect on the messy inner journey of leadership. As they prepare to graduate a new cohort of certified coaches from their Quadrant 3 Leadership Coach Certification (Q3LC), they explore the deeper meaning behind their work—and the cost of leadership that relies too much on external validation.

Marc explains the origins of the “Quadrant 3” framework, first developed through years of executive coaching and later popularized in his book The Surprising Gift of Doubt. Emily adds perspective on how growing up as a rule-follower can lead to a leadership crisis when the “rules” suddenly stop working.

They share stories from real leaders, dive into themes like self-trust, stewardship, imposter syndrome, and why coaching isn’t just for aspiring professionals—it’s for any leader looking to move from burnout to effectiveness. Whether you’re an emerging manager or a seasoned consultant, this episode offers clarity, camaraderie, and encouragement.

 

 Key Takeaways

• Many leaders are promoted without being trained—and left to guess the “rules.”
• Quadrant 3 is the point where self-doubt either paralyzes you or propels you toward deeper self-trust.
• Coaching isn’t just a skillset—it’s a mindset shift that can make leadership more effective and human.
• Personal growth often means learning to stop fighting yourself and start working with your wiring.
• Q3LC is for middle managers, retiring execs, consultants between projects, and teams who need to think more critically.

 

 Quote Highlights

“It’s like driving with the parking brake on. Quadrant 3 is where leaders finally take it off.” —Marc

“I realized I hadn’t been working with myself for two weeks—and everything felt harder.” —Emily

“Leadership is stewardship. Not just of the mission, but of yourself.” —Emily

“Some people realize, ‘I don’t want to be a coach—and that’s a great insight to gain!’” —Marc

“We help people become more clear, so others can make a real decision: yes or no.” —Marc

 

Resources Mentioned

• 📘 The Surprising Gift of Doubt – Marc A. Pitman https://concordleadershipgroup.com/giftofdoubt/
• 👩‍🏫 Q3LC Certification for Individuals https://concordleadershipgroup.com/coaching-certification/
• 🧑‍💼 Q3LC for Teams https://concordleadershipgroup.com/transform-team/
• 💡 Mention of Beatrice Chestnut & Uranio Paes (Enneagram teachers)