Why Coaching Isn’t a Luxury

As a South Asian woman growing up in the West, I often felt isolated, unsure of where I fit in, and without a clear support system. The mantra I was raised with was simple: work hard. And while that grit has taken me far, I’ve come to realise that hard work alone isn’t always enough. True progress also requires strategy, smart decisions, and having the right kind of support around you.

Coaching wasn’t something I saw growing up. It wasn’t a concept my family or community talked about, definitely not something “for people like us.” Even now, it still feels like a luxury to many. Unlike having a GP or dentist or even a personal trainer, having a coach isn’t seen as essential. I’ve had clients say they believe in the value of coaching but can’t prioritise it right now.

Yet I look around at so many successful professionals and leaders, and the common thread among them? They’ve had guidance, structure, and accountability from someone behind the scenes, a coach or mentor helping them clarify their path and make smarter choices.

That was never the narrative I grew up with, but I’ve now come to see it as critical.

My own career started with sheer persistence and hard work. I broke records, built a million-pound market from scratch, and won top recruiter awards. I went on to manage high-performing teams and eventually led operations in a new country. 

And while I’m proud of every step I fought for, I now realise how much smoother, faster, and less lonely that journey could’ve been had I known the power of coaching earlier. Over the last few years, I’ve truly come to understand the impact it can have, not just in boosting confidence and morale, but in helping us navigate hard decisions, build self-trust, and move forward with clarity. As a result of finding this support network, I have been able to pivot into entrepreneurship, then transitioned into in-house Talent and HR leadership roles, and now coaching and advising C-level leaders. 

Coaching is viewed, often as a “nice to have” rather than a core tool for personal and professional growth. 

People readily invest in gym memberships to stay physically fit or have recently started embracing therapy for mental well-being. 

But coaching and mentoring, which support our cognitive, emotional, and professional and leadership growth, are still underrated, especially in fast-paced industries where clarity, confidence, and decision-making are critical.

Coaching isn’t about fixing what’s broken, it’s about unlocking potential, building self-awareness, and creating space to think more strategically and intentionally. Just like we train our bodies or care for our mental health or are mindful of our diet, we need to invest in how we think, lead, communicate, and grow. It’s a necessity for long-term, sustainable success.

Coaching isn’t a luxury. It’s a strategy.

We don’t manage our health concerns without professional support and advice. Why do we think we can or should navigate our careers completely alone?

My mission is to help rewrite this story, to make coaching feel as normal and essential as having a doctor, for anyone ready to take ownership of their path and rise with purpose.