Why I’m passionate about developing leaders

Stacey A. Mahoney, ACC-CPDC
2 min readDec 19, 2022

People ask why I coach, and why I’m so passionate about leadership and professional development.

There are many reasons, but mostly it’s because I remember what it felt like being unsupported. I knew I was smart, capable, and ready for big opportunities… but when they didn’t come after years of proving myself, I remember so much hurt and confusion.

Instead of nurturing me, mentors told me to quit. See, they saw my situation but didn’t have a solution. Some managers didn’t know what to do with me and shuffled me around between teams and projects. But colleagues continued to ask me for support, guidance and career development. They saw my value, weathering the storm, and to them I looked formidable.

There was a fundamental disconnect between what I was giving and what I received in return. My energy suffered. It wasn’t imposter syndrome. I was disappointed.

Then, I realized a powerful but painful lesson: without sponsorship, access, and support — even the most promising professional is stifled.

Once I figured out what kept me in the out-group, I was able to make more intentional moves. This awareness set me on a mission to empower others — especially those who lacked support, inclusion, or direct access to people in “the rooms.”

I’m grateful for what I went through SO YOU DON’T HAVE TO! My purpose is to enable people to unlock their potential, achieve their goals, and lead from within. I want to ensure, with everything in me, that something positive comes from so much pain experienced in my journey.

If you are ready to invest in your development to boost your professional, leadership and executive communication capabilities, let’s talk about your 2023 plan. But even if you don’t reach out to me, connect with someone. You need a support team, and regular professional development. If you don’t have someone consistently building you up — you’re already behind.

About me
Hi, I’m Stacey Mahoney — a coach with over 10 years of experience in people management & development, mentoring and coaching. I enable professionals, managers, and never-been-corporate entrepreneurs to reach their professional goals through inclusive leadership strategy, executive development and masterful communication skills.

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Stacey A. Mahoney, ACC-CPDC

I'm passionate about how professional development, leadership excellence, and inclusion lead to great team cultures & communities.