19 years later…

My birthday is coming up in a few weeks, and it has me reflecting a bit.

In 2007 (19 years ago next month), I left K-12 education. I was a Curriculum Director, adopting textbooks and teaching teachers. On paper, it all made sense.

But something in me knew… it wasn’t it.
Nothing was dramatically wrong.
It just didn’t feel right anymore.

So I left.

I moved to Minneapolis, and I walked around Lake Harriet. Every day. For a year.

No plan. No clear next step. Just… a lot of walking.
(If you ever want to do some deep thinking—or mild overthinking—I highly recommend it.)

Eventually, I got the courage to put myself out there as a coach.

I was new to town. I didn’t have a network. I knew a few people from graduate school at St. Thomas, and that was about it.

So yes… this Authentic Edge business really did start from scratch.

And now, when I look back…
I’ve coached hundreds of leaders. I’m surrounded by incredible colleagues who have become real friends.

I’ve helped leaders build accountability on their teams,
helped teams understand each other and find a better way to “dance” together, and walked alongside people as they left roles or retired - feeling proud of what they built and confident in what came next.

I’ve also had the chance to teach others how to coach and grow their people.

And maybe the biggest thing I’ve learned along the way?

I don’t have the answers.
I don’t always know exactly where things are going.
But I do know this—this is the work I’m meant to do. 🎉

Every day I’m learning. Every day I get to help people grow.

And honestly… following my intuition turned out better than any plan I could have made.

💜Stacey

If you’re a leader and something about leading just isn’t feeling the way it used to… I’d be glad to talk.

Might even save you a few laps around the lake. 😉