Interview… “Zoom Out” and “Save as Draft”: How Two Insights Changed the Way Micaela Approaches Work (and Life)
Micaela Rista
Key Accounts Manager South Europe @Brenntag Essentials EMEA
- What desire, challenge, or insight led you to begin this journey?
I was able to take part in this initiative thanks to a programme created within the company. Initially, I was quite sceptical about its usefulness, perhaps because it was unfamiliar to me and I had not received enough information about it.
Subsequently, after changing roles within the company, I was able to put into practice and deepen many aspects that I had often underestimated professionally.
So, I can divide my coaching experience into two phases: the first, initial one came unexpectedly; the second was actively sought, as I felt a strong need for it in order to grow professionally.
- What tangible benefits have you observed in your work and/or within your team or context?
The first coaching experience helped me recover from a difficult personal period. I regained confidence in my abilities, became more pragmatic and impactful, and gained clarity on my strengths and weaknesses. This allowed me to reset and redefine my goals.
The second time, when I proactively reached out to my coach, Sonia, I began the journey with clear objectives. The greatest benefits I experienced were on a professional level: thanks to this second coaching experience, I learned to operate more confidently, building and strengthening relationships with both internal and external partners of the company.
- What has been the most impactful insight you’ve gained?
Here too, I divide the experience into two phases and summarise it with two very simple rules that I now often share with friends and colleagues.
The first: “Zoom out.” As mentioned, I was going through a very difficult personal period. The suggestion to shift my focus away from the situation that was causing me pain, and to create some distance from it, helped me enormously to start looking forward again and take my next steps.
The second: “Save as draft.” Never act on impulse—review, reread, and refine your own statements. This helps me be less emotional, more impactful, and more reflective. I’m able to ask myself better questions and become more objective.
- What would you say today to someone about to begin a coaching journey?
I would suggest being completely open, avoiding expectations, and approaching one’s difficulties and weaknesses in the most natural way possible.
Only when you recognise, define, and face the problem can you move closer to a solution.
- What obstacle once felt insurmountable at the beginning, and how did you overcome it?
As a rather reserved person, I initially found it difficult to express my opinions openly and talk about the situations I was experiencing. However, once I started to let go of that restraint, the benefits came very quickly.
- What made this experience different from other training, mentoring, or coaching you’ve had?
I haven’t had the opportunity to take part in many mentoring or coaching experiences before this one, so I don’t have many points of comparison. However, I believe that being able to establish a relationship of complete trust and respect with the coach has a very strong impact on the success of the journey.
- If you had to summarize your experience in one sentence, what would it be?
For me, it felt like observing my own growth, my personality and self-esteem, from an external perspective. I was able to focus on myself and my goals without feeling “trapped” by preconceived ideas anymore.