Client Story: Diana Borcila
Finding a way to enjoy work again by leading in a way that felt true to herself.
Name: Diana Borcila
Job: Privacy Expert and Leader
Before: When Diana first came to coaching, she thought she needed to become a different kind of leader. She was feeling overwhelmed, stuck in a cycle of self-doubt and trying to meet external expectations of what a leader ‘should’ be.
After: Rather than learning how to fit someone else's idea of leadership, Diana found a way to lead that was more aligned with who she already was – and, in doing so, rediscovered her enjoyment of work and felt able to make career decisions that were in tune with who she really is.
“The most powerful thing, and what you helped me discover, is I don't have to change completely how I work and what I am, because that's not sustainable”
Before working with Emma…
Looking back, Diana talks about trying to live up to an image of leadership that didn't feel like her. She kept asking herself how to become the leader she thought she was expected to be, without ever stopping to ask whether those expectations were right for her.
When I first reached out to you, I was so lost that I didn't realise the extent of it. I knew there were so many behaviors and things that were expected of me as a leader. So what I thought is that these are the things that I need to work on, and I wanted you to help me get there
I knew I was not enjoying what I was doing, and it presented itself through the sense of self-doubt. Was I actually ready for the step that I was at? Was I actually a good professional? Was I presenting a good version of myself to people that I was managing and other people around me?
I remember the first goal was, ‘I want to be a more confident person, I want to build my self-confidence, I want to communicate more clearly’. And although they're things that did end up happening, I think at the root of those things, there was something a bit more fundamental
I had this set of expectations and behaviours that I thought I had to meet
It was this sense of overwhelm. How do I meet these expectations on me, and how do I do so keeping true to myself and enjoying what I do?
I realised I had never actually stopped to question whether these expectations aligned with who I was as a professional... and whether they indeed align with my values.
The turning point
The biggest shift wasn't becoming a more confident version of someone else – it was becoming clearer about the kind of leader Diana wanted to be. Instead of constantly asking how she could meet other people's expectations, Diana began asking how she could stay true to herself while still being effective in her role.
What I initially thought I wanted were not the things that I actually ended up wanting and needing
One of the biggest things was recognising this disconnect between what the expectations on me were and who I was as a person
I started asking myself, 'How do I meet these expectations while keeping true to myself?'
The result
By better understanding what she needed to thrive, Diana was able to make some career decisions. Since recording this interview, she has found a new role in a company where the culture is better aligned with the kind of leader she wants to be.
Having clarity made me realise ‘This is not an environment where I thrive. This is not right for me’
You helped me explore what I value, and this environment is not one that aligns with that anymore
It gave me the power to question... is this the right environment for me?
I really wanted to bring the enjoyment back into my work
Would recommend coaching to…
Diana says many people stay stuck because they assume they “just need to power through”. Her advice is to seek support, particularly if work is leaving you drained or disconnected from yourself.
Do not be scared... no one is here to judge you. You're only here because you want to better yourself.
If at any point you're feeling lost... if you're in this continuous loop of dreading going into work every day and feeling so overwhelmed and helpless... go and seek help
Trust the process, believe in the power of coaching and find a coach who genuinely aligns with who you are
I would absolutely recommend Emma, especially if you're one of the quieter people or more on the introverted end of the spectrum
What should others know about Emma?
For Diana, one of the most valuable aspects of coaching was the balance between support and challenge. She describes feeling safe enough to explore uncomfortable questions while always remaining in control of where the conversation went. Rather than being told what to do, she was encouraged to think more deeply without ever feeling judged or pushed in a direction that wasn't right for her. Emma is the most supportive, caring and thoughtful person but also challenging at times, asking those awkward questions, really getting you to dig deep
Coaching was supportive and thought-provoking
You were always making sure that I was comfortable with being challenged
You made me question my assumptions... 'Why do I think that? Where do I think that belief is coming from?'
You created such a safe space to lean a bit into discomfort
At your core, you understood how I was and the kind of challenges that I was facing
I always felt I was very much in the driving seat.