Have you ever been a huge fan of someone, only to meet them face-to-face and feel like the person you’ve admired from afar, and the person standing in front of you, are two completely different people?
It’s jarring, to say the least.
Traumatizing at times.
And hard to wrap your head around.
Here's what I've learned the hard way: putting people on pedestals doesn’t serve you — or them. Why? Because it doesn’t allow room for their full humanity, including their vulnerabilities and mistakes.
The truth is, we are all works in progress. No one has it all figured out. And no one is superior to you. Not even that industry idol or the author whose words changed your life.
Here's the perspective that set me free: I can deeply admire someone's work without expecting our values or personalities to align perfectly. Unless I'm in a close working relationship with them, it's okay if we don’t click as people. I can still connect with, appreciate and respect their genius and specific areas of expertise without viewing them as all-knowing or better than me.
This has taken sooo much pressure off of needing coaches, teachers and mentors in my life to be anything other than who they are.
I still value authenticity and look for resonance overall, but I no longer expect anyone to be perfectly evolved — or someone I vibe with 1:1. Instead, I just expect them to be human.
I also know that I’m not better than anyone, and I view my clients and I (and everyone else for that matter) as being on even playing fields.
Wanna know what this has created?
Coaching relationships that feel like true partnerships.
That aren’t co-dependent.
That empower the client to see themselves as capable as I see them, and trust their inner wisdom above all else.
And as the coach?
I mean, what a relief to not have to be this perfect person!
To not uphold some constricting identity of being above any other human in any way, shape, or form.
To set a standard where you can make mistakes and the world doesn’t end.
When this foundation is laid, everyone can relax more.
It turns out that life without pedestals is pretty freeing!
So, the next time you're tempted to hoist someone onto that pedestal:
Pause.
Step out of the illusion of superiority.
And remember what’s true:
We all have our own unique gifts to offer the world.
And we’re all just messy humans doing the best we can.
To your freedom,
Megan
P.S. That said, it is important to feel a deep sense of trust, ease of connection, and emotional safety with anyone you hire as a 1:1 coach. After all, this is someone you'll be walking hand-in-hand with through some very tender and life-changing moments.
If you have feeling I might be that person for you, and you’re looking to partner with a coach who can:
Guide you out of your own mental chaos, overwhelm, and confusion around next steps,
Support you without judgment in your most real and raw moments,
Lovingly embrace your inner perfectionist and help them chill the F out, and
Reconnect you to the power and wisdom that's been within you all along (to make those big moves you know you're meant to make)...
My virtual door is open! And I’m accepting new private clients who are ready to experience their most joyful, meaningful days yet.
