Less Pressure, More Performance: The Coaching Mindset Behind Sustainable Success

Описание: Stop waiting ten years for permission to lead. Tarik Ali went from “should I enroll?” to a thriving executive coaching practice by doing the inner work first. His message: outcomes are feedback, not identity—and that one shift changes how leaders grow, lead, and rest.

On this week’s episode of the WHAT? Not Why podcast with Coach Academy Founder Nathalie Blais, Tarik shares how he built a full roster of CEOs and founders by leading with values, curiosity, and courage. Together, they explore what it means to redefine success, find the optimal level of pressure, and create psychological safety for real growth.

They dig into why values must outrank outcomes, how judgment-free coaching space lets leaders tell the truth, and why coaching yourself out of a job is the ultimate measure of success. Tarik also explains the difference professional training made, how clarity of who you serve plus authentic storytelling builds trust, and why joy—not grind—is the real metric of leadership.

Together, they explore
• From “should I enroll?” to thriving executive coach
• How coaching others starts with being coached yourself
• Values → intentions → outcomes: flipping the performance model
• Finding “optimal pressure” for sustainable performance
• Safe space and trust as the foundation for transformation
• Certification as a starting point, not a checkbox
• Reframing fear as feedback, not an enemy
• Building a coaching business rooted in belief, not burnout
• Showing up online as your real self—no mask required

This episode is a must-listen for anyone curious about executive coaching, psychological safety, and leading with integrity. Tune in for a practical and inspiring conversation about the craft of coaching and the courage to grow.

Chapters (Condensed)
00:00 Introduction & full-circle story with Kelly
04:00 From fear to full roster: doing the inner work first
09:00 The promotion call that redefined success
14:00 Values over outcomes: performance without pressure
20:00 Coaching in schools and the future of influence
25:00 Coaching yourself out of a job
34:00 Building safety, trust, and truth in leadership
41:00 Fear as a teacher, not a threat
50:00 Showing up real on LinkedIn
56:00 Building a joyful, sustainable coaching practice
1:04:00 The big question: What else is out there in the universe?

Where to Find Tarik Ali
Website: tarikali.com

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/alitarik

Where to Find Coach Academy
Website: canadacoachacademy.com

Nathalie on Instagram: @nathalieblais.ceo

Nathalie on LinkedIn: @nathalieblais

Coach Academy LinkedIn: @coachacademygroup

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