I spent a year doing extra work to cover for someone the company refused to fire. 🙁

I spent a year doing extra work to cover for someone the company refused to fire. 🙁

My coach said something recently that keeps rattling around in my head: “your battle scars are real even if other people can't see them.”

Because battle scars come from pain, for sure, but they also become part of us, make us who we are.

The time I was overlooked for the promotion despite being the highest performer.
The time I trusted the wrong person and it bit me on the a$$ (big time).
The time I learned (the hard way) that when someone shows you they are not open to feedback, believe them the first time.

Are my "battle scars" from these moments visible when you look at me? No.

But these challenges forced me to think differently, adapt, and grow into the leader and coach I’ve become. Without them, I’d be a different person. And I’m pretty happy with who I’ve become.

What have your battle scars made possible that you couldn't have imagined at the time? (Feel free to send me a note if you'd rather not go public. 😉)