What It’s Like To Live Your Purpose

Overview

This episode delves into the journey of living one's purpose, featuring insights from three former venture capitalists turned coaches: Joe Hudson, Jerry Colonna, and Steve Schlafman. They explore navigating uncertainty, embracing grief, building trust, and the transformative power of authenticity in coaching and leadership.

Notable Quotes

- Every time we allow our hearts to break, it increases our capacity to love. – Joe Hudson, on grief as a catalyst for transformation.

- The point of riding the roller coaster is not to get better at riding roller coasters. It's to learn to not board the roller coaster in the first place. – Jerry Colonna, on freedom and acceptance.

- If you're here to help me, no thank you. If you're here to work together for our mutual freedom, let's get to work. – Joe Hudson, on the essence of authentic service.

🌍 Navigating Uncertainty and Fear

- Joe Hudson identifies two ways leaders respond to uncertainty: fear-driven binary thinking or seeing transitions as opportunities for growth.

- Leaders who embrace fear rather than suppress it often find clarity and short-term opportunities, even in unstable times.

- Jerry Colonna emphasizes compassion and the normalization of grief as tools for navigating suffering, noting that shared humanity can foster resilience.

💔 Embracing Grief for Transformation

- Grief is framed as a necessary step in personal and professional transformation. Joe Hudson shares that grieving past mistakes or losses opens the door to growth.

- Group grieving is highlighted as more effective than solo grieving, with examples like corporate Day of the Dead celebrations fostering collective healing.

- Jerry Colonna recounts the parable of the mustard seed to illustrate the universality of grief and its role in building trust and connection.

🤝 Building Trust Through Authenticity

- Trust is described as emerging naturally when grief is fully processed. Joe Hudson notes that unresolved grief often blocks trust after personal or professional setbacks.

- Jerry Colonna advocates for trusting the shared human experience rather than relying on external validation, emphasizing vulnerability as a foundation for authentic relationships.

🌀 The Evolution of Coaching and Service

- The shift from transactional to relational coaching is explored, with Steve Schlafman noting the growing interest in service-oriented leadership among Silicon Valley executives.

- Joe Hudson warns against entering coaching prematurely, emphasizing the importance of deep self-work and functional personal relationships before guiding others.

- Jerry Colonna stresses that coaching is an ongoing process of self-reflection and growth, not a fixed state of expertise.

🌱 Living Your Purpose with Integrity

- Purpose is framed as a calling that cannot be ignored. Joe Hudson and Jerry Colonna share personal stories of being drawn to coaching despite initial resistance.

- Authentic service is described as arising naturally, without attachment to titles or financial incentives.

- The hollowing-out process of ego and self-importance is discussed as essential for becoming a clean vessel for transformative work.