Growth Requires Discomfort. Leadership Demands It.

Since October, I've been a student in Georgetown University's Leadership Coaching Certificate Program. The course is complete, and all that remains is the final paper.

Before the class began, I thought I was a fairly resilient person. I ran marathons and even a few ultras. I made it through three tours in the Pentagon.

In this program, I experienced a new type of discomfort -- intellectual.

Early on, we were exposed to many frameworks to help us become better leadership coaches. I found myself dismissing concepts that didn't align with what I believed or had experienced. In terms of the fight-or-flight response, I was fighting what was presented and flying to the next topic.

Then we learned about navigating polarities -- the possibility that two seemingly opposing beliefs can both be true. Instead of checking the box and moving on, I stuck around to see what could be possible.

I ended up having many days when I felt like I had run a marathon. The payout for staying with the discomfort and challenging my own beliefs was usually growth.

By the end of the class, I started actively looking for the discomfort. I knew it might pinch a bit -- but I also knew that was the best chance I had to grow.

"No pain, no gain" is usually associated with physical endeavors. This year, I learned it has intellectual application as well.

Leadership growth rarely happens in comfortable moments. If you're navigating a transition or a moment where the stakes feel higher than usual, I'd welcome a conversation. Schedule one here.

Publish date: March 26, 2026.