top of page

Intersectionality: The Treasure Map of Self-Discovery | Leadership Coaching & Growth

Simon Maguire

Two hikers with backpacks converse on a trail in a vibrant, mountainous landscape. Clear blue sky and river enhance the peaceful scene.

I am an adventurer at heart. Not well-travelled, perhaps—but I can say with certainty that I am an experienced explorer of the beautiful, treacherous, and unknown landscapes of my own heart and mind.

What I find so rewarding about coaching is joining someone on their journey and asking:

"Where have you been, and where are you off to?"

Developing skills and performance is undoubtedly important, but without recognising the complex realities that shape each person’s journey through life, we miss the most transformative and exciting component of coaching. That is:

"What is this thing that I call ‘me’? How has it become, and what is it going to be?"

We are not fixed points on a map; we are ever-evolving, shaped by life events, relationships, social and political realities, and the unexpected twists in our personal narratives. We learn and unlearn, grow and adapt. This is why coaching is more than a tool for career advancement—it’s an exploration of the self, an uncovering of what has shaped us and what will shape us next.

Leadership isn’t just about what we do—it’s about who we are becoming.

That’s where intersectionality coaching comes in.


If self-discovery is an adventure, then identity is the ever-changing terrain we traverse. No two paths are the same, because no two people start from the same point. Intersectionality reminds us that who we are is not just one thing but a tapestry of overlapping influences—our gender, race, culture, class, ability, beliefs, experiences, and the countless ways they interact with the world around us.


Self-discovery isn’t just about looking inward; it’s about recognising how the world around us has shaped and influenced us, whether by opening doors or placing obstacles in our way.


Being diagnosed with a brain tumour through me into a unknown world full of fear and opportunity—it wasn’t just about survival, but about truly living. It gave me a deeper appreciation for what I have and a drive to make my actions align with that gratitude. I wanted more from life, not in the sense of accumulation, but in the sense of depth—more presence, more purpose, more love. It became clear that my greatest role was to be the best dad I could be and to choose a career that helps others embrace life fully, to commit to it wholeheartedly, and to recognise its brevity.


Coaching that embraces intersectionality is so powerful. It acknowledges that each person’s journey is deeply personal, informed by their unique experiences and identities. Instead of offering a generic path to success, it provides a compass—a way to navigate the complexities of both the internal and external worlds we move through.


"Where do you want to go?" but also "Who do you want to be when you get there?"

If you're ready to to unfold your own map, to recognise the paths that have shaped you, and to decide where you go next., I’d love to walk that path with you.


Drop me an email and we can book in a discovery call simon@needtobreathe.co.uk


2 views0 comments

Recent Posts

See All

Immunity to Change

How to create change that lasts Coaching involves a process of transformation, with enduring and sustainable change being that can be...

Comments


bottom of page