My Journey
Witnessing the Power of Mindset Transformation in Pakistan
My journey to be a coach goes back to the time when I witnessed the power of mindset transformation through dialogue in Pakistan.
Pakistan is a Muslim dominant society. When I was working there from 2012 to 2016, the society was (and it still is) facing deep-rooted discrimination against religious minority communities based on false religious beliefs. Christian villages were attacked and burnt down and Hindus were discriminated with the superstition that those who eat together with Hindus would get ill. There was lack of tolerance towards any kind of minority in the society in general.
Dealing with religious discrimination issues was both very sensitive and challenging in the country where people’s identity was closely linked to their religious beliefs. However, I was privileged to work on the initiatives to address religiously motivated discriminations through dialogue and witness the impact of mindset transformation on the participants.
At the beginning, some participants were resistant to the idea of tolerating other religions. Some even had radical views against other religions or sects and insisted that “Shiites should be killed because they are infidels,” and “Pakistan is a country created for Muslims, so the rights of Muslims should be given priority first.” The divide between the religious majority and minority groups seemed too deep to be bridged.
However, I saw their views shifting bits by bits as they spent more time together with the members from minority religions. They started listening to the stories of the minority communities on how they lived each day facing discriminations and how that impacted their sense of dignity.
By the end of the workshop, the participants from the majority groups became much more empathetic towards the minority communities and started believing in interfaith harmony and religious coexistence. I heard one participant saying "I was wrong. All people are equal.”
What was even more inspiring happened after the workshops. Some of the courageous participants took initiative to start a movement to address religious discriminations and promote peace and interfaith harmony within their sphere of influence at their campuses and communities.
These experiences exposed me to the power of mindset change to not only transform people’s way of thinking, but also empower them to become change agents to take courageous actions for larger cause for the society.
I also found myself deeply drawn to the work of a 'dialogue facilitator' at the workshop—someone who could masterfully foster dialogue between participants while quietly supporting their inner transformation.
It was then that I began to envision myself in a similar role—helping others unlock their potential and guiding them through transformation via dialogue.
Looking back, this experience was the spark that eventually led me to coaching, as the words 'dialogue' and 'coaching' started to take root in my heart.
Realizing the Power of Listening
A few years after being captivated by the powerful impact of "dialogue" I witnessed in Pakistan—its ability to spark creativity and drive transformation, I reached a major turning point in my career.
At the time, I had achieved my dream of working for the United Nations, dedicating myself to international development. Yet, despite my passion, a small voice in the back of my mind began to whisper: "Something is missing. Is this truly what I was looking for?"
It was then, during my maternity leave, that I finally found the time to pause. I decided it was time to dive deep and properly study "coaching," a keyword that had been lingering in my heart for years.
The moment I started the coaching course, I realized my heart was truly vibrating with excitement at the idea of "listening" with my whole being and its power to help others unlock their potential and enrich their lives.
Until then, working in an English-speaking environment, I had been obsessed with the idea that I needed to be a better speaker. I was so focused on talking that I failed to see that speaking and listening are two sides of the same coin. I hadn't yet realized the profound importance of listening.
Through coaching, I touched the true depth of the seemingly simple act of "listening" and discovered the deep joy it brings. At that moment, I realized that the power of "dialogue" I had seen in Pakistan could only be fully realized in a space where one is truly heard.
Now, as a coach, my driving force is the profound joy of listening to the "inner voice" and the possibilities hidden beneath my clients' words. I find deep fulfilment in witnessing the moments when they transform how they relate to themselves, others, and the world.