Case Study: From Burnout to VP Before 40
Client: Heather P., Consultant → Vice President
Focus Areas: Executive Presence | Emotional Intelligence | Strategic Influence
The Challenge
When Heather first reached out to Point Three Leadership, she was on the edge of burnout.
Despite a strong resume and a track record of success, her confidence was quietly unraveling behind the scenes.
She was overwhelmed by competing priorities, struggling to build alignment with her boss, and unsure how to influence her peers in high-stakes conversations. No matter how hard she worked, it never seemed to be enough—and self-doubt was beginning to cloud her judgment as a leader.
“I knew this wasn’t the professional I truly was—or who I wanted to be.”
Our Approach
Heather didn’t need more content. She needed clarity, perspective, and support that met her where she was and not where she “should” be.
We started by creating space for reflection, honesty, and realignment. Through our leadership coaching work, we focused on:
Mindset
Replacing self-doubt with self-trust
Emotional Regulation
Learning to respond, not react
Executive Presence
Shifting from people-pleasing to clear, grounded leadership
Energy Management
Honoring her focus, boundaries, and strategic priorities
And then came a breakthrough moment. In one session, I asked:
“What would happen if you stopped proving yourself… and started leading from trust?”
That question became the turning point.
Heather began stepping into leadership from a place of clarity instead of fear. She stopped over-functioning and started owning her role with confidence.
The Outcome
By the end of our third coaching cycle, Heather was promoted to Vice President—before her 40th birthday.
More than a milestone, it was the realization of a quietly-held dream… made possible by stepping into her full leadership capacity.
“There’s no doubt in my mind that I wouldn’t have had the confidence, skills, or mindset to achieve this without Sonia’s coaching.”
But the bigger transformation?
- Confidence without second-guessing
- Clarity in her voice and direction
Authentic leadership that felt aligned—not performative
Key Takeaway
Great leadership isn’t about becoming someone else.
It’s about becoming more of who you truly are—with clarity, presence, and the right support system in place.
