Michelle DeStefano Executive Coaching for Healthcare Leaders

Last week, I had the privilege of participating in the pilot Curiosity Session, hosted by the wonderful Mari Weymouth.

What a refreshing reminder that some of the best learning doesn't happen in a conference ballroom, it happens in a room filled with curious people who are willing to share what they know, ask thoughtful questions, and learn from one another.
Six women. Six different stories. Six unique areas of expertise.
No selling.
No competition.
Just a genuine desire to inspire, learn, and grow together.

I had the opportunity to share one of my favorite topics: Purpose and Your Natural Advantage.

One of the ideas we explored is that each of us has strengths that come so naturally we often overlook them. Yet those very strengths are often the foundation of our purpose, our leadership, and the impact we're meant to have in the world.

As I listened to the other presenters, I couldn't help but think how true that is. Every woman in the room brought something different, and together we created an afternoon of learning that none of us could have created alone.

It was also a beautiful reminder of the power of women supporting women. When we create spaces where people are encouraged to share their gifts instead of compete for the spotlight, everyone leaves stronger.

Thank you, Mari, for bringing this vision to life and for inviting me to be part of such a meaningful afternoon. I have a feeling this is just the beginning.

Here's to staying curious, discovering our purpose, and helping others discover theirs.

Today, I didn't just send a young man to college.

I had the privilege of sending off the very first participant in my Launch with Purpose™ program.

His parents asked me to be there.

Not because I packed his truck.

Not because I knew where his dorm room was.

But because over the past several weeks, we worked on something far more important.

Who he is before deciding what he'll do.

Together, we explored his purpose, strengths, values, and leadership potential. We talked about time management, decision-making, building habits, and creating a personal system that would help him thrive not just survive during one of life's biggest transitions.

College isn't simply about earning a degree.

It's about becoming the person you're meant to be.

Watching him pull away today, I wasn't thinking about grades or majors.

I was thinking about confidence.

Direction.

Purpose.

Because when a young adult understands who they are, they make better decisions about where they' re going.

As a coach, there are moments that remind you why you do this work.
This was one of them.

To Ian, thank you for trusting the process. Your willingness to reflect, ask hard questions, and invest in yourself has been inspiring. I can't wait to see what you build next.

And to his parents, thank you for trusting me with such an important season in your son's life. That confidence is something I don't take lightly.

Sometimes leadership begins long before someone has a title.

Sometimes it begins with helping one young adult discover that their greatest advantage is knowing themselves.

If you were preparing a son, daughter, or grandchild for college, what would you hope they leave home knowing beyond academics?

One of the most important leadership lessons I ever learned came from a meeting I thought I was going to win.

When I was a Vice President, my CEO had a habit of stopping me in the hallway and asking:
"DeStefano, what have you done for me lately?"
I always assumed he was joking.

He wasn't.

Soon after, he called an emergency meeting on Emergency Department throughput.

I was determined to prove myself.
I built flowcharts.
I created problem-and-solution tables.
I walked into the room completely prepared.

And then I made the mistake that so many experienced leaders make.
I took over.
I presented.
I explained.
I defended.

What I didn't do was listen.
I forgot one simple truth:
It was his meeting, not mine.

He wasn't looking for someone to showcase their preparation.
He was trying to facilitate a conversation.

The credibility I thought I would earn by having all the answers disappeared because I hadn't first understood the questions.
That meeting changed me.

Today, whether I'm coaching executives or facilitating leadership teams, I rarely begin with solutions.

I begin with curiosity.
Because people support what they help create.

What's one leadership lesson you learned the hard way that still influences how you lead today? I'd love to hear your story.

Leadership isn't just about having the answers. It's about helping others discover theirs.

One of the greatest privileges of being a Certified Purpose Coach is walking alongside leaders as they reconnect with what drives them not just what they do, but why they do it.

I've learned that many leadership challenges aren't rooted in a lack of skill or experience. They're rooted in disconnection from purpose.

When leaders rediscover their purpose:
✨ They make decisions with greater clarity.
✨ They lead with more confidence.
✨ They inspire trust instead of simply directing others.
✨ They create cultures where people feel seen, valued, and empowered.

Every keynote, coaching conversation, and leadership workshop is an opportunity to help executives move beyond performance alone and lead with purpose, intention, and lasting impact.

Because leadership doesn't begin with a title.

It begins with purpose.

What keeps you grounded in your leadership when the pressure is high?

Leadership isn't about having all the answers, it's about making the right decisions with clarity and confidence.

The most successful leaders don't navigate challenges alone. They invest in a trusted partner who helps them think strategically, lead boldly, and move from insight to meaningful action.

If you're leading through change, facing complex decisions, or ready to elevate your leadership impact, executive coaching can help you gain the clarity you need to lead with confidence.

Your next level of leadership starts with one conversation.

📩 Send a message to learn more about Executive Leadership Coaching or book a complimentary discovery call.

Coach's Corner: One Leadership Shift in One Minute

Stop trying to have all the answers.

Great leaders ask better questions.

Instead of asking:
"How do I solve this?"

Ask:
"Who on my team can grow by solving this?"

Leadership isn't about becoming indispensable.
It's about developing others.

Not every leadership challenge is visible.

Some leaders look confident on the outside while quietly questioning their next move, carrying the weight of every decision, or battling the voice that says they're not enough.

These moments are more common than you think and they're exactly where executive coaching can make the greatest impact.

Swipe through 3 Executive Coaching Scenarios Every Leader Will Recognize and see which one resonates most with you.

💬 Which scenario describes where you are today? Share 1, 2, or 3 in the comments.