February 2026 - Respond instead of React

Bringing together 30 leaders from across the globe -on a ship sailing from Rotterdam- the perfect setting for connection, reflection, and growth.

I had the privilege of working with the global MDs of Manuport Logistics (MPL), using PRINT® to uncover what truly drives them - their unconscious motivators.

We explored the difference between operating from our Best Self and slipping into Shadow behavior. Leaders openly shared their triggers and, more importantly, committed to strategies that help them respond instead of react.

Because triggers will always be there. The real work is building the awareness and discipline to choose a constructive response. That choice is the first step toward operating more consistently from our Best Self and reducing Shadow behavior.

January 2026 - A team that knows each other inside and out

Last week, we had a PRINT® Discovery Workshop with a management team that has been working together for years. They know each other inside and out, each other's strengths and weaknesses. Right? Could PRINT® still add anything?

Absolutely! There was a lot of confirmation, but also surprises and new insights. Because PRINT® teaches you what drives you and others, it creates space for genuine conversations, even about things that are difficult or things that don't feel right. PRINT® provides tools to effectively change things, both yourself and how you interact with others, by being the best version of yourself.

Do you also want to achieve success by being your BestSelf? Let's connect sara@coachedbysara.com

January 2026 – Happy New Year! 🥂

Here’s to a new year without frustrations and annoyances! Or at the very least: far fewer of them!

Triggers—situations, people, stimuli from your environment—will always exist. What they do to you? That’s up to you.

The good news: PRINT® helps you recognize that you’re reacting and understand why it happens. Insight into your personal triggers enables you to anticipate them and recover more quickly when you do get triggered. That means operating more often from your Best Self:

✳️ sharp and effective
✳️ fully engaged
✳️ motivated
✳️ working from your strengths
✳️ pleasant to collaborate with

New year, new insights? Maybe PRINT® is your next step.
Let’s connect: sara@coachedbysara.com

🙏 Some kind words:
“Sara helped me clearly understand where my energy comes from and what kind of environment and elements I need to be my best self. She holds up a mirror in a very supportive and warm way, while also daring to ask critical questions that really make you think. I felt heard, supported, and challenged. I also had the opportunity to do a PRINT® assessment—this gave me an enormous amount of valuable insight, and I notice that in many situations it provides a solid framework I can return to.”

October 2025 – PRINT®

🔹 Why does everything click effortlessly in your team one day, and feel strained the next?

🔹 Why does one person thrive in a meeting while another checks out?

🔹 What makes some collaborations run smoothly, while others are full of friction?

Looking for ideas for your next off-site?

PRINT® is an extremely effective development tool that people love to work with, both collectively and individually, and it quickly delivers lasting positive results. Unlike other tools, PRINT® goes beyond behavior—it explores the “why” behind the “what.” When you understand what drives you—in your reactions, decisions, and talents—you understand yourself better. And that insight gives you the power to consciously make different choices.

Whether you are looking to motivate your team, attract and retain top talent, navigate change more effectively, grow leaders, or boost your own productivity—PRINT® provides the insights, tools, and strategies you need to make real progress.

Want to learn more or try it yourself? sara@coachedbysara.com

August 2025 – Responsibility

"Real workload doesn’t just come from deadlines and targets – it also comes from taking on responsibility

that isn’t ours."

When someone fails to take responsibility and that leads to chaos and frustration… how do you deal with work that isn’t actually yours, yet somehow always ends up on your plate?

My coachee tried:
✅ Speaking to the colleague in question several times – no result
✅ Bringing it up with her manager – no effect
✅ Stopping the habit of taking over tasks and referring them back – little improvement

Letting go was also an option. But how do you do that without draining even more of your energy?

We got to work, and my coachee practised, experimented, and reflected:
✅ Awareness: recognising when you’re being triggered and noticing the energy it costs
✅ Breathing exercises to release tension
✅ Anchoring techniques: recalling moments when you felt completely calm and centred
✅ Circle of Influence: do I have control over this? If not, why invest my energy?
✅ Setting boundaries without guilt
✅ Self-talk: “I can’t control the situation, but I can control how I respond.” and “To what extent do I allow others to have power over me?”

A few days after our final coaching session, she shared some feedback: “This is the first time I’ve responded completely calmly to a situation that would normally trigger me.”

Letting go doesn’t mean you don’t care — it means consciously choosing where to invest your energy. ✨

Want to know more or try it yourself? sara@coachedbysara.com

July 2025 - Calm, Ownership, and Results

My coachee P is a driven, enthusiastic, and expressive professional. Yet it was precisely her strong sense of involvement that sometimes meant that:
🔹 Emotions were visible and tangible to everyone, even when that wasn’t always helpful.
🔹 Anger, disappointment, or distrust occasionally seeped into her communication unintentionally.
🔹 Her message sometimes came across as less professional.
🔹 It was challenging to communicate both assertively and in a connecting way.

What did we work on?
✅ Becoming more aware of emotions in communication.
✅ Letting go of frustration by clearly distinguishing what you can and cannot influence.
✅ Speaking calmly and professionally, with attention to tone and body language.
✅ Proactively and clearly communicating priorities and expectations.

Through her openness and capacity for reflection, P has taken visible steps in strengthening her self-regulation, creating more overview, and maintaining calm—even in challenging situations.

It’s inspiring to see how awareness and small daily actions contribute to professional confidence and greater enjoyment at work.

Let's talk and connect: sara@coachedbysara.com

May 2025 - Struggling with unhelpful thoughts at work?

Many professionals wrestle with assumptions, imagined scenarios, and late-night rehearsals of difficult conversations—and one of my coachees was no exception.

We focused on two powerful mindset shifts:

🔹  Challenge your thoughts and beliefs

“Is this really true? Do I  have evidence? Is it always true? Was it once true, not anymore? Is there some truth here? Does this belief help me move forward? What if I could let go of that belief?”

Which beliefs do you want to KEEP, LET GO, or REWRITE to better support your growth?

It’s not a magic solution, but it’s a powerful place to start. It creates clarity—and makes space for change.

🔹 Focus on what’s within your control.

Even small, concrete actions matter. They build momentum and give direction. Let go of what you can’t control.

Once she shifted her focus to what was actionable, her energy returned. So did her clarity and confidence. Real change starts in the mind—with how we think, what we believe, and what we choose to act on.

Want to try yourself? Let's connect: sara@coachedbysara.com

March 2025 - From Teammember to Teamleader

S started her career as a driven team member and grew into her first role as a team leader. As a young and ambitious people manager, she faced quite some challenges - from team dynamics and workload to personal development.

Her biggest learnings?

✅ More effective communication– Giving clearer and more direct feedback.
✅ Delegation& lettinggo– Empowering team members with more responsibility.
✅ Setting boundaries– Balancing workload and self-care.
✅ Processoptimization– Increasing efficiency and structure within the team.

"Through this coaching journey, I not only gained new perspectives but also actively stepped out of my comfort zone. The open conversations, sparring, and positive trust helped me grow tremendously in my role."

With focus, perseverance, practice and coaching, S has strengthened not just her team but also herself as a leader. Ready to grow? Let’s connect sara@coachedbysara.com

January 2025 - From People Pleaser to Empowered Professional

One of my coachees was always the go-to person—helpful, reliable, and always saying "yes." But at what cost? She found herself overloaded, unfocused, and undervalued.

🔹 She took responsibility for every issue, even beyond her role.
🔹 She felt accountable for everything—from job descriptions outside her team to conflicts among colleagues.
🔹 Saying “no” felt impossible, leading to late nights and personal priorities being pushed aside.

First key-insight: Saying "yes" to everything often means saying "no" to yourself.

So, we worked on shifting from over-responsibility to smart leadership.:
✔️ Making conscious choices
✔️ Setting boundaries: “Not now, but then.” “Not me, but them.”
✔️ Delegating effectively - trusting others to step up.
✔️ Giving constructive feedback - helping others grow instead of solving everything alone.
✔️ Communicating with clarity - using facts, open questions, and clear agreements.

Practicing these shifts led to another key realization: People respect you more when you respect your own priorities. Always saying "yes" can have the opposite effect - less appreciation, not more.

Being a team player doesn’t mean doing it all - it means making conscious choices.

If you're ready to start choosing wisely, let's connect: sara@coachedbysara.com

December 2024 - Excited to share that I am officially MBTI® Step I Certified!

The Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) is a powerful tool for understanding personality types. It helps individuals explore their natural preferences in how they perceive the world and make decisions. MBTI goes far beyond personal insights - it’s about fostering better connections, collaboration, and growth.

In today’s fast-paced world, adapting to change and embracing diverse perspectives is essential - whether you're leading a team, collaborating with colleagues, or simply looking to grow personally. Embracing diversity fosters innovation, enhances problem-solving, and leads to more effective teamwork.

Who can benefit from MBTI?

• Individuals: Looking to deepen their self-awareness and appreciate the diverse ways others think, communicate, and work.
• Teams: Aiming to boost communication, strengthen team spirit, and enhance effectiveness by understanding and valuing differences.

Would your team benefit from this? If you’re curious about how MBTI can help you or your team, feel free to reach out—I’d love to help guide the journey. Let’s connect sara@coachedbysara.com 

November 2024 - I’m sorry, I Don’t Have a Magic Wand — Coaching Requires Action and Effort

Coaching is not about quick fixes, easy answers, or shortcuts to growth. It’s about taking responsibility and focusing on what you can control. It requires dedication, effort, and the courage to step out of your comfort zone.

It’s not about blaming others; it’s about taking charge and deciding what you are going to do. It's about you and what you're willing to change. It’s about a willingness to invest in yourself.

As a coach, I’m here to guide, support, and challenge you. Coaching is about asking the right questions, not handing out answers. It’s about helping you see things from a fresh perspective, digging deep, and discovering solutions you didn’t realize were within your reach. I’ll help you stay on track, focus on what you can control, and celebrate each hard-earned success.

Growth takes time, effort, and persistence, but the rewards are well worth it. Ready to commit? Let’s connect sara@coachedbysara.com

October 2024 - Navigating Group Dynamics and Change: Insights from Tuckman and Kübler-Ross

Today, I had the opportunity to use both Tuckman's stages of group development and the Kübler-Ross change curve in a training session with a team undergoing significant change. These models provided valuable frameworks to help the team better understand the challenges they’re facing and how to work through them effectively.

➡️ Tuckman's Stages of Group Development: 

• Forming: Team members come together, but roles are unclear.
• Storming: Conflicts arise as personalities and opinions clash.
• Norming: The team starts to establish norms and work more cohesively.
• Performing: The group hits its stride and performs at a high level.
• Adjourning: The team disbands or moves on after achieving its goals.

➡️ The Kübler-Ross Change Curve: 

• Denial: Resistance to the new reality.
• Anger: Frustration and blame may surface.
• Bargaining: People attempt to negotiate or seek control.
• Depression: The emotional low as reality sinks in.
• Acceptance: Finally, adapting to the change and moving forward

What’s powerful is how these models intersect when leading teams through change. As the team moves through Tuckman’s stages, they also experience emotions and behaviors aligned with the change curve. Using these models in tandem during the training helped the team acknowledge both their developmental and emotional phases, offering clarity and focus on how to move forward.

Whether you're forming a new team or guiding one through transitions, understanding these psychological frameworks can be crucial for leaders looking to foster resilience and highperformance during times of change.

Do you want to hear how I can help your team through change? Let's connect sara@coachedbysara.com

July 2024 - Towards High-Performance Teams

Growth and success in any business hinges on effective teamwork. High-performing teams build on each other's ideas, fostering innovation, creativity, and growth.

Key elements of high-performance teams include:
🔹 Trust and mutual respect
🔹 Shared vision and direction, a clear common goal
🔹 Team-first mentality
🔹 Shared responsibility
🔹 Open, clear communication
🔹 Continuous learning
🔹 Effective work practices
🔹 Strong leadership

How is that in your team?

Coaching inspires teams to maximize their potential, overcoming self-imposed limitations. As leadership coach I have the skills and tools to help you enhance teamwork and create a high-performance team environment. Would you like to know how I can help you create engaged teams performing at their best, while your teammembers are growing professionally and personally? Let’s connect sara@coachedbysara.com

June 2024 - I am ICF Professional Certified Coach

I’m incredibly proud I have been awarded the Professional Certified Coach (PCC) Credential from the International Coaching Federation (ICF).

Earning this credential is a significant achievement that underscores my commitment to excellence in coaching. Anyone can call themselves a coach but ICF-credentialed coaches, like myself, are professionals who have met stringent education and experience requirements, and have demonstrated a thorough understanding of the coaching competencies that set the standard in the profession. Additionally, as an ICF coach I adhere to strict ethical guidelines as part of ICF’s mission to protect and serve coaching consumers.

To earn the PCC credential, I completed:
🔹 150+ hours of accredited coaching education
🔹 500+ hours of client-coaching experience
🔹 10 hours of mentor coaching
🔹 Two successful coaching performance evaluations
🔹 The ICF credentialing exam

This journey has been both challenging and enlightening. I have grown continuously, developing into a more skilled and effective coach. If you are interested in learning more or wish to connect, please reach out to me at sara@coachedbysara.com

Mar 2024 - Honesty, openness and vulnerability

Being coached myself I was reminded how honesty, openness, and vulnerability are essential elements of a successful coaching trajectory.

Being vulnerable may feel uncomfortable at first, but it is a crucial step towards achieving success. It allows for deeper self-exploration and facilitates meaningful progress towards your goals. In the coaching environment, there is no need to maintain a facade.

By being honest and sharing your perspective, you allow your coach to better understand your goals and capabilities, leading to more targeted and effective coaching outcomes.

Feeling connected to your coach is crucial for establishing a safe and supportive space where you can openly discuss your aspirations and concerns. Trusting your coach enables you to share your vulnerabilities and uncertainties, knowing that they will be met with understanding and empathy. Confidentiality is essential in maintaining this trust, ensuring that sensitive information remains protected within the coaching relationship.

Want to know how coaching can help you or someone at your workplace? Let’s connect during a free exploratory call sara@coachedbysara.com

Some feedback:

“Sara creates an amazingly comfortable, non-judgmental environment where I could share my thoughts freely. As a result, I was able to properly process my personal and professional challenges with Sara acting as an objective sounding board, leading me to pathways I had not explored yet." A, Director Communications & Media, UK

“As from the first moment, Sara made me feel completely at ease, which made me feel very comfortable to be open on difficult topics.” E, Director Market Access, Belgium

Feb 2024 - Insightful 360-Degree Analysis Through Life Interviews

As part of a coaching trajectory, it can be valuable to gather feedback from people around you. Understanding how we're perceived by others is paramount for personal and professional growth. A 360° feedback creates a confidential and comprehensive way to provide important information and different perspectives to identify your strengths as well as opportunities for development. It provides invaluable insights to guide individuals along their path of self-improvement.

Key Features:

• Conducted via efficient 30-minute videocall interviews, ensuring minimal disruption to your colleagues busy schedules.
• Engage with 6-8 stakeholders delving into nuanced aspects of your professional persona through focused questioning.
• Uncover strengths, development opportunities, and actionable advice 
• Gain deeper understanding of your impact, both positive and areas for growth,
• Receive a comprehensive report highlighting key insights, paving the way for strategic development planning.

Target Audience:

• Executives seeking to refine their leadership skills.
• Professionals aiming to enhance their interpersonal effectiveness.
• Teams looking to foster a culture of continuous improvement.
• Individuals committed to unlocking their full potential.

Following the analysis, embark on a journey of growth with personalized coaching sessions tailored to your unique needs. Trough 1-1 coaching we’ll dive deeper into identified areas for development, craft a robust development plan, implement strategies for change, and navigate challenges with confidence. Together, we'll foster professional growth and cultivate a mindset of continuous improvement.

Ready to unlock your full potential? Let’s connect sara@coachedbysara.com

Dec 2023 - I Coach (also) on personal matters

As part of acquiring my PCC Credential (Professional Certified Coach) through the International Coaching Federation ICF, I am actively engaged in a group mentoring coaching program. In this dynamic setting, coaches coach each other, while other coaches and a mentor observe and provide valuable feedback.

This experience has proven to be both intriguing and enlightening. I find myself continually challenged, learning, and evolving into a more adept coach. While my focus lies in professional and leadership coaching – a true passion of mine – I've been pleasantly surprised by my enjoyment of coaching on more personal matters during the process. This newfound dimension has been really fulfilling.

While I will maintain my primary emphasis on professional and leadership coaching, I have decided to extend my services to private clients through online coaching across the globe. If you're interested or have any questions, I invite you to connect with me sara@coachedbysara.com.

Dec 2023 - I Coach Executive Leaders

... executive leaders who aspire to maintain focus amidst the challenges of a complex work environment and who are eager to reflect on what they can do better, what they should do more off, what they should stop.

"Meet P"

P is a key member of the executive leadership team, overseeing a department that has experienced significant growth in recent years. With over a decade of dedication to the company, P played a pivotal role in its global expansion.

In the early stages of his career, P was hands-on and enthusiastically involved, personally managing every aspect. Despite his continued interest, the sheer volume of tasks became overwhelming, leading to stress and a sense of losing control. These challenges fuelled concerns about meeting the CEO's expectations and maintaining positive relationships with team members. Recognizing the need for change, P sought coaching to navigate this complexity.

Coaching heightened P's self-awareness and provided him with more clarity.
- While P has a team of skilled leaders, he identified the necessity for additional support, strategically reshuffling personnel not only to benefit the team but also to foster individual development.
- Acknowledging the importance of relinquishing control, P learned to trust and empower his team leaders, realizing that success lies in delegation and accountability.
- His shift in mindset allowed for more effective preparation and engagement in one-on-one sessions with team leaders, resulting in streamlined decision-making processes and improved follow-through.

P's increased awareness that he doesn't need to micromanage every task has been transformative. Recognizing the capabilities of his team and trusting in their competence has not only alleviated his workload but has also fostered an environment where individuals can thrive.

What works for P doesn’t necessarily work for you. Want to know how coaching can help you or someone at your workplace? Let’s connect! sara@coachedbysara.com

Nov 2023 - I Coach Experienced Professionals

... experienced professionals that feel stuck or go through failure after years of success.

“Meet E”
E works in the same company for 10 years now, led different teams with success and since 2 years overseeing a challenging part of the business. E felt restless though, a little bored and not very motivated. When digging deeper E realized that people around her started to notice. She got into fruitless discussions with peers and higher management and started to make mistakes. E wanted to explore her professional future and most importantly: get her sharpness back!

As part of the coaching trajectory, E did an exercise identifying her drivers and core values. She asked herself how much she was still acting in alignment with these in her current role.
She concluded that she actually is in the right job at this stage in her life and that she mostly gets what she wants from it, that she achieved more than she realized and that she is proud of that as well. For her drivers she felt less aligned to, she started to ask herself what she could do about it; what she could control or influence, which actions she could take to improve.

The fact that E did this exercise in an objective and critical way, challenged by her coach, resulted in being able to let go of the many questions about her job and gave her peace of mind and contentment, and foremost a renewed motivation to continue her journey in the company.

What works for E doesn’t necessarily work for you. Want to know how coaching can help you or others at your workplace? Let’s connect! sara@coachedbysara.com

Some reflections of E on our coaching:
"I could talk about anything with Sara, without being judged. It helped that she was independent, standing a bit further away. Coaching helped me getting clarity around my ambitions, my skills and what I want to do with them. I also realized that I need to take more initiatives and actions myself in order to find the right challenges and motivation, which is happening already!"

Okt 2023 - I Coach Young Professionals

... young professionals ready to make the next step in their career, expanding responsibilities. Or, they just made that next step and find the new challenges that come with that, more difficult to deal with than expected.

"Meet M"
A few months ago, M became team leader of the team she has been part of for more than 6 years.From being “one of the guys”, M wanted to step up and grow in owning her function as team leader.

Some insights from M’s coaching trajectory that helped her growing:
- It is ok not to be democratic all the time. It is not always necessary or helpful to ask everyone’s opinion in the team. It is as important to identify what you want, why you want it and how it will benefit you and others around you.
- Being positive and empathic is who M is. She can use that quality by identifying what motivates her team members and get them on board. A potential pitfall for M is that by wanting to be encouraging all the time – her message can get lost.
- M wants to do well and she learned that there is a thin line between leading and controlling.It helps M to ask herself some questions: When is it ok to let go? When do I take over? When do I give responsibility?

What works for M and her team doesn’t necessarily work for you. Want to know how coaching can help you or someone at your workplace? Let’s connect! sara@coachedbysara.com

Some reflections of M on our coaching:
"As from our first talk I felt at ease with Sara. Coaching gave me certain insights and made me come up with things I wanted to practice. The more I tried, the more confidence I got and the more I felt I made progression. There is still room for improvement: Practice makes perfect!"