Tara Ramanathan, MBA, ACC

Have you ever wanted the breakthrough… but not the process?    In this deeply honest episode, I sit down with Nathan Herzog, an educational leader who now serves as Dean at Biola University after previously serving at William Jessup University. And we talk about something almost no one says out loud: growth is uncomfortable.   Nathan shares what he hears in quiet, “secret conversations” with high achievers: “I want to do this… but this is uncomfortable.”   Everyone wants a breakthrough.   No one hands you a map for the path.   The truth? The process of becoming better requires discomfort. It requires loss. It requires intentionally choosing something challenging.   And one of the most powerful moments in our conversation is this question: Why are you choosing that? What are you choosing this discomfort for?   Training for an Ironman. Earning a PhD. Climbing toward something like Mount Whitney. None of those happens by accident. They require over a year—sometimes years—of intentional stretch.   Growth in leadership is no different. You get to choose your goal. You get to build relationships with your employees. You get to decide which hill is worth climbing.   And when you choose it with clarity, confidence, and courage, the discomfort becomes meaningful instead of miserable.   We also unpack the false beliefs—the lies—that quietly sabotage leaders: ➡️ If I’m not good at something, I shouldn’t do it anymore. ➡️ If I can’t figure this out on my own, I don’t deserve to lead. ➡️ Strong leaders don’t need help. True growth happens when you reach outside of yourself.   Humility is not weakness. Vulnerability is not failure. They are leadership strengths.   It is one of the practices of Grace Space, Connection vs. Protection, that reminds us of our need for others. It is through others that we become ourselves. Protection keeps us small. Connection grows us.   Growth touches every part of us—mind, body, heart, and spirit. It asks us to be learners before researchers. To choose discomfort rather than avoid it. To hear the truth even when it stings.   And yes—it’s vulnerable.   Yes—it’s uncomfortable.   But getting comfortable with being uncomfortable is what allows you to achieve great things. And over time, it makes other challenges feel less intimidating.   This episode is for you if… ➡️ You’re leading and feel stretched. ➡️ You’re leveling up and doubting yourself. ➡️ You’re tempted to isolate instead of reach out. ➡️ You secretly wonder if needing help means you’ve failed. It doesn’t.   People who are growing reach out.   People who are leveling up invite coaching.   People who become stronger choose their discomfort.   If you’re in a season of stretch, this conversation will steady you, challenge you, and remind you that discomfort is not a sign you’re failing.   It may be proof you’re becoming who you’re meant to be.   You don’t want to miss this one. #thelifeyouremadeforpodcast #growth #gracespace #3Clivingandleading

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As a leadership coach, I see the same pattern with high-performing leaders: you're either replaying past decisions or projecting future scenarios, rarely present to what's happening right now. This week, navigating a challenging public statement with interfaith colleagues, I was reminded of UC Berkeley research on sustainable leadership—one of the most powerful antidotes to burnout isn't self-care alone, it's witnessing "moral beauty": colleagues choosing courage over convenience, connection over isolation. When leaders stay present to these moments, even the difficult ones, they tap into something larger than their individual struggle. This is what builds resilience for the long haul. It's not about toxic positivity—it's about recognizing you're part of an ongoing story of people who chose to lead with courage when it mattered. How might you cultivate the capacity to stay present, witness what's meaningful, and lead from a place of connection rather than depletion? Full reflection in comments.

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What can professional coaches learn from the storytelling playbooks of the Sundance Institute and FEMA? In her powerful article, Hajnal Molnar-Szakacs explores how narrative—not data—can be the bridge to resilience, empowerment, and connection. Through stories of climate migration, community rebuilding, and authentic leadership, Hajnal reminds us that storytelling isn't just a tool—it’s a transformation catalyst. 🎧 The latest episode of the Beyond The Page Podcast is now live! Tune in to hear Hajnal Molnar-Szakacs share the lessons coaches can take from cross-sector collaborations to inspire meaningful change.

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Being part of this evaluation process with Northwest Area Foundation was interesting and educational. It’s a big shift in approach for a lot of foundations, and I think a good one. We’re lucky that several of our Dakota Resources funders are finding ways to check the impact of their investments without putting extra pressure and stress on their grantees to put numbers on things where numbers are a small part of the impact story. If you want to understand more about program related investments (PRIs), here’s a good explainer from Venn Foundation. (Be sure to also click on “FAQs.”) https://lnkd.in/gS8kUd4x

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Working with culturally diverse teams has taught me that belonging isn’t something you give someone - it’s something we build together. And not all spaces are built to hold that kind of shared power. The ‘Belonging Framework’ from the Othering & Belonging Institute at UC Berkeley put words to what I’ve felt again and again in this work. Belonging is more than just being included.  It’s a dynamic interplay of: ✨ Inclusion – you're in the room. ✨ Recognition – you're seen for who you are. ✨ Agency – you help shape the space. ✨ Connection – you're not doing it alone. These are more than ideals. They’re signals. Either they're present, or people are quietly checking out. And here's the piece that flipped a switch for me: Targeted Universalism. A shared goal for all but tailored paths to get there. It honors the differences instead of ironing them out. Radical fairness, in action. For culturally diverse teams, this means rethinking how we build culture, make decisions, and measure success. Curious?  This guide might change how you lead, listen, and design: 👉 link in comment. 🌀 And if this speaks to you - check out the INDIGO Intercultural Competence workshops. Not another checkbox. A shift in how we see, speak, and shape team dynamics - together. Link in bio. Let’s build the kind of cultures that don’t just tolerate complexity but evolve because of it. #InterculturalCompetence #Belonging #Inclusion #Connection #Agency #Recognition

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How We Work at SELf Educators SELf Educators operates through a dual-engine model that integrates community science, narrative data, equity-centered design, and human-integrated leadership. We partner with institutions and leaders navigating complexity, burnout, and systemic pressure—starting with diagnosis, not delivery. This overview outlines how our work functions in practice: Our Operating Philosophy We treat stories as data, burnout as a systems signal, and equity as an operational responsibility—not a statement of values. Two Engines, One Method Our education and executive work are distinct but aligned. Both use the same core method: restore agency by aligning systems with human and social reality. Education & Community Systems (Narrative Community Scientist – NCS) We design participatory, trauma-informed learning and evaluation systems that help communities and institutions translate lived experience into credible data, policy influence, and funding outcomes. Executive & Leadership Integration (Strategic Sovereignty) We work with founders, executives, women leaders, and families operating under high performance demands. This is not mindset or wellness coaching—it is systems, biology, and leadership architecture. How Engagements Begin We begin with audits and assessments—not assumptions. We only proceed when the problem is clearly named, decision authority is present, and alignment is mutual. How We Measure Success Success shows up as reduced force, increased clarity, improved decision-making, and outcomes that last beyond the engagement. Who We Work Best With Leaders and institutions who are accountable for outcomes, ready to move beyond surface solutions, and willing to align systems with reality. This work is about sustainability—of people, of organizations, and of impact. If this resonates, I’m glad you’re here.

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Community, I'm looking forward to facilitating our next Storytellers Cohort in collaboration with my dear friend and colleague, Domonique Meeks from Ambassador Stories. This is our fifth cohort, and I have to take a moment to recognize our past collaborators and alumni. Your stories, work, feedback, lessons, and narrative stewardship have inspired our work and helped us to evolve this learning community. Thank you, Irina Ortega Sanchez and Julia Dinh, for helping us to plan, design, and launch our first cohort. Your contributions helped to establish the foundation for this work. Together, we co-created a storytelling community rooted in asset-based approaches, an ethics of care and justice, and committed to narrative change and healing-centered engagement. Thank you, Sage Ke'alohilani Quiamno, Philip Deng, Jaleesa Trapp, PhD, and Makshya Tolbert, for participating in our first Storytelling for Changemakers Cohort in 2020. I often revisit our early conversations to keep the vision of this work grounded in our collective vision: to build a community of storytellers rooted in a commitment to justice, healing, care, and belonging. Thank you to Iván Ramírez, Veronica Vidal, Lish Olson, Belen Iniguez, Lina Ortega, Terence Mayo, Abeer Ramadan-Shinnawi M.Ed., Ed Moreno, Aline Aguirre, Eunice Hudak, Adèle McLees, Mariana Limón Rugerio, Trinity E., Jan Rog, Jeremiah Grant Jr., Gaura Naithani, Abby Schembra, and many more for your stories, collaboration, and ongoing commitment to engaging in storytelling as a changemaking practice. I'm in awe of your work. Our work as storytellers has always been essential. We craft stories that shape how we engage with the world and how we make meaning of the issues of our time. This is not a moment that suddenly makes storytellers more relevant. We have always been relevant. Intentional spaces where we can slow down, reflect, critique, and build community are how we sustain the stewardship of this work. #Storytellers #Storytelling #NarrativeChange #Cohort #Community

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Hey Coaches 👋 If you’re feeling overwhelmed about ICF credentialing or recertification, here’s something that might help: CCEase is a 9-week program that makes the process doable — and way less stressful. 💬 Past participants say they walked away feeling clear, confident, and supported (oh, and 20 CCEs richer). The Fall 2025 cohort runs: 📅 Sept 11 – Nov 20 🧭 Includes mentoring + training 📝 Pre-registration Zoom with Anne C. Kelly, ICF PCC, CMC is required CCEase Info & Registration: Sept 4th CUTOFF for registration. https://lnkd.in/eK8MmQXE  Questions? Special Requests? Schedule a chat on Zoom: http://meetme.so/AnneKelly #ICFCoaches #CCEase #CoachCredentialing #MentoringForCoaches #ICFSupport

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