Why I Coach–Stuart H.
Stuart H., an expert Leland coach, outlines why he chooses to coach and what it means to him.
Posted November 18, 2022
When I was at Stanford as an undergrad, I can humbly say that there was no chance I was going to study computer science, mathematics, or anything in that ballpark. Instead, I chose to study Political Science, which sharpened my ability to understand social dynamics, power structure, and career networking.
After graduating and entering the “real” world, I noticed these abilities are often hard to come by. Though not as rare in nonprofits, fundraising, and general sales, they are certainly uncommon in areas like technology and software.
Reflecting on my time at Stanford, but also the education system holistically, it seems there is a clear emphasis on teaching operational, computational, and technical skills. Sure, this is extremely important and completely necessary for innovation and pursuing careers that require these hard skills. However, we do not often see an emphasis on teaching the intangibles that open far more doors to opportunities beyond expressing one’s quantifiable hard skill level.
For example, even the world’s most brilliant coders could benefit from networking skills to advance their career, make a more profound impact, and ultimately set themselves apart from other talented coders. In fact, I believe that when hyperdeveloped hard skills in STEM are matched with relentless networking ability, innovation thrives at its peak and always will.
Sharing the “unteachable” intangibles that make lives more impactful, careers more fruitful, and innovators more connected is why I coach.
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P.S. If you'd like to work with me on any part of your undergrad application or for career-related services in business development/partnerships, check out my Leland coaching profile.
