Coaching Chronicles Part III: From Ancient wisdom to modern support - grief, growth & leadership in the workplace

Life coaching is not a new idea. The desire to improve, reflect, and grow is as old as humanity itself. From ancient philosophers to modern-day coaches, personal development has always been about understanding ourselves better and creating meaningful lives.

At Blaze Coaching, I often guide clients through complex challenges—managing grief int he workpalce, recalibrating work-life priorities, or rebuilding self-trust after loss. The tools may have evolved, but the principles remain grounded in timeless wisdom. As someone with a deep appreciation for ancient Greek practices, I see coaching as a modern echo of the inner work philosophers like Socrates and Aristotle encouraged. Their reverence for introspection and alignment with purpose still resonates.

The power of self-reflection

Self-reflection has always been essential to personal growth. "Know thyself"—engraved on the Temple of Apollo at Delphi—is as relevant today as it was in ancient Greece. Studies now back this up, showing that people who reflect regularly make better decisions and feel more fulfilled. At Blaze Coaching, self-reflection is a non-negotiable foundation. It’s how we bring clarity to confusion and movement to stagnation.

I recall a client who'd buried her own needs for years after the loss of a sibling. It wasn’t until we made space for reflection that she began to acknowledge her grief. That process of looking inward allowed her to reconnect with a part of herself she’d shut off, and rebuild her confidence in both her personal and professional life.

Building resilience

Resilience, as defined by the Stoics, is not about avoiding difficulty but learning to move with it. Today’s research echoes this: resilience is a process, not a trait. It's something we can strengthen over time, especially when we understand our emotions and how they shape our behaviour.

I often work with clients facing silent struggles: caring for ageing parents, living through miscarriages, grieving quietly while showing up at work. We develop personal strategies that honour their emotional reality while giving them strength and steadiness. Grief in the workplace shows up in many forms, and resilience, in this context, is an act of quiet courage.

The evolution of coaching

Modern coaching incorporates tools from neuroscience, mindfulness, and emotional intelligence—disciplines that help us understand the mind and body in new ways. But coaching is still, at its core, about connection: to self, to others, and to purpose.

Clients today are seeking more than just performance improvements. They’re asking deeper questions: Who am I now? What really matters to me? How do I want to lead, love, or let go?

A large part of my coaching work now includes helping leaders navigate grief and loss in the workplace — topics once avoided in professional settings. With the introduction of Blaze Coaching’s Global Bereavement Leadership Index, we’re beginning to collect global data on how companies support their staff through loss. This initiative aims to identify best practices and spotlight workplaces leading the way with compassion and cultural sensitivity.

Cultural & Spiritual needs matter

True coaching must respect the full context of a person’s life. In Australia, we are beginning to see greater awareness around Indigenous mourning practices like Sorry Business. But globally, most policies still fail to accommodate diverse cultural or spiritual needs. This can leave employees feeling unseen and unsupported during their most vulnerable moments.

The Bereavement Leadership Index is helping to expose these gaps. It’s showing us which organisations are truly listening—and where more attention is needed. If your company hasn’t reviewed its approach to grief in the workplace, now is the time.

What’s next for coaching?

The future of coaching lies in integration—where personal growth meets cultural awareness, and inner wisdom is given space to flourish. The tools will keep evolving, but the questions remain the same: How do we live with purpose? How do we honour our past? How do we move forward, even in pain?

At Blaze Coaching, I believe in the power of combining old wisdom with new knowledge. Whether you’re rebuilding after loss or simply asking what’s next, coaching can be the steady hand you need. Let’s talk about what it looks like to honour your story while stepping into what’s next—with courage, clarity, and compassion.