Leading When No One's Watching: A Coach’s Reflection on Growth, Grit, and Finding Your Tribe

For years, I had a personal trainer who kept me accountable at the gym. She corrected my form, nudged me to lift heavier, encouraged me when I felt like quitting, and made sure I finished strong—every time. But when she moved away and her role wasn’t filled, the dynamic shifted. Suddenly, I walked into an empty gym, facing a whiteboard of exercises and one decision: to show up or walk away.

No one was watching. It was just me, the weights, and the quiet decision to keep going.

As an executive and leadership coach—and a solopreneur—I’ve come to realize how closely this mirrors the leadership journey. We often pour into others, holding space, challenging beliefs, and igniting momentum for our clients. But what about when we’re the ones navigating solitude, resistance, and self-doubt? Who holds us accountable?

Leadership Begins When the Room Is Empty

Walking into that gym without my trainer made one thing clear: if I wanted to grow stronger, I’d have to take ownership of the process. Not for recognition. Not for praise. But for me.

As coaches, we ask our clients to show up fully, to dig deep, and to lean into discomfort for the sake of growth. But how often do we apply that same challenge to ourselves?

When the metaphorical gym is empty—when business is quiet, client leads are slow, or motivation is running low—how do we show up?

Do we coast?

Do we delay progress, waiting for external cues to move?

Or do we lean in, recommitting to our own development?

Growth Is an Inside Job

In both fitness and leadership, visible results are the byproduct of what happens in private. The same principles apply to personal and professional growth:

•  Consistency matters more than convenience.

• Stretching ourselves is required—even when no one’s clapping.

• Resilience is built one uncomfortable rep at a time.

Over the years, I’ve come to believe that our willingness to invest in ourselves when no one is watching reveals the strength of our character and the depth of our leadership.

So I ask you, fellow coach: How are you showing up for yourself?

Are you committed to your growth, or waiting for permission?

Are you investing in your development, or letting busy schedules justify staying the same?

The Solopreneur’s Dilemma—and the Power of Tribe

Being a solopreneur is a unique kind of leadership. It offers freedom, but also isolation. There are moments of deep purpose and

moments of deep loneliness. And while self-leadership is critical, we were never meant to do this work alone.

Which brings me to a question I’ve been wrestling with lately:

How do you build a trustworthy tribe that strengthens you, stretches you, and holds you accountable to your highest potential?

As coaches, we often stand outside the circle—observers, guides, facilitators. But we need our own circles too. We need voices that speak truth to us, mirrors that reflect our blind spots, and partners who cheer us on when the path gets tough.

So, here’s my invitation:

Let’s normalize asking for what we give.

Let’s intentionally surround ourselves with people who challenge our thinking, hold our goals sacred, and help us stay in the game when it gets hard.

Are You Ready to Commit—Again?

Whether you’re early in your coaching journey or a seasoned practitioner, the call is the same: recommit to your own growth. Not just for your business, but for your life. Not just when clients are watching, but in the quiet moments that shape who you are.

The gym may be empty. The room may be silent. But you still have a choice—to show up with courage, lead yourself with integrity, and build a tribe that helps you regain momentum.