We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Jen Brown a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Jen, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Was there an experience or lesson you learned at a previous job that’s benefited your career afterwards?

Lesson: Prioritize your own growth to effectively lead and grow others.

At one point during my career with the U.S. Department of State, I had the privilege of leading a mid-sized team through a particularly challenging period marked by both personnel and operational hurdles. At the time, I believed that as the leader, I had to have all the answers and shoulder every challenge myself. I was gripping every decision too tightly, and the result was twofold: my team felt disempowered, and I found myself exhausted and overwhelmed.

Recognizing that something needed to change and with my supervisor’s support, I sought out a leadership coach. That decision was a turning point. Through coaching, I began to examine my leadership mindset and uncover the autopilot thoughts driving my actions. I started to see challenges not as burdens, but as opportunities for growth, for myself and for those I led.

I made a conscious shift: I invested in my own development and committed to fostering growth within my team. This meant clarifying our shared vision, setting transparent and SMART goals, and creating open lines of communication. More importantly, I began to empower my team to problem-solve, innovate, and take ownership.

The transformation was remarkable. By letting go of the need to “do it all,” I created space for my team to rise. Their creativity and strengths came to the forefront. I regained the capacity to focus on strategic priorities, and together, we exceeded our objectives in true team fashion.

Leadership isn’t about having all the answers. It’s about intentionally cultivating the conditions for growth, for yourself and for others. That’s how ripple effect transformation happens, and that’s how teams truly thrive.

Note: The opinions and characterizations in this piece are those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of the U.S. government.

Jen, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

My own experiences led me to discover my passion for coaching. I spent 23 years serving as a leader in the U.S. Department of State Foreign Service, excelling in complex environments that demanded high-level strategic planning, operational leadership, and a deep commitment to teamwork and results. Along the way, I also became intimately familiar with burnout and overwhelm, and experienced firsthand the transformative power of exceptional leadership coaching.

A few years later, during a season of personal transitions and challenges, I worked with another incredible coach. That experience brought me clarity around my values and life purpose. I realized I was being called to turn my pain into purpose. That calling led me to become an internal leadership coach at the Department of State and, eventually, to launch my own practice: Journey of Grace Coaching.

Today, I guide burned-out high-achievers through my Purpose-Powered Path system, helping them reconnect with what truly matters. We work together to identify and shift inner critic narratives, harness strengths, explore new possibilities, and create a roadmap for intentional leadership and meaningful impact. My approach is grounded in authentic connection, holistic awareness, and a focus on action and results, primarily through one-on-one coaching.

The greatest gift in coaching is meeting clients exactly where they are. I’m deeply humbled when they trust me with their stories and vulnerabilities, and overjoyed when they experience those powerful “a-ha” moments. There is no greater compliment than hearing that they’ve grown personally and professionally, especially in the midst of difficulty, because of our work together.

This is my why.

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

I had several lessons regarding my inner critic thoughts! Since elementary school through my professional journey, I learned that being a high-achieving perfectionist and a people pleaser appeared to serve me well in my career and relationships. What I had to unlearn was how I was stressing myself out to the point where my health, work, and relationships, especially as a single mom, were suffering.

I don’t believe in work-life balance, per se, but rather that we have a pendulum we get to decide where to swing. My pendulum was way out of whack. So I took a few steps back and learned to discern where and when “perfection” was really required and where “good enough” was truly just fine. I learned jumping from one “success” to the next big thing was not really being present in the moment. I had to learn to celebrate accomplishments and learning opportunities. And, I learned that constantly putting others before my own needs was exhausting and created resentment. There’s a reason airline flight attendants tell us to put on our own oxygen masks first.

The main lesson here is that we cannot pour into others from an empty internal tank. In fact, one way I incorporate this into my coaching by grounding myself (with a prayer rock) prior to my time with clients, and after. This helps me to show up fully for my clients. Because when we learn to prioritize taking care of ourselves, and our own growth, we can better support others.

Other than training/knowledge, what do you think is most helpful for succeeding in your field?

Authentic, empathetic connection, and deep, judgment-free listening are at the heart of transformational coaching. Coaching isn’t about having all the answers. It’s about creating a space where someone feels so seen, so heard, that they can finally hear themselves.

Clients entrust us with their innermost fears, stressors, and dreams. That kind of vulnerability requires more than professional skill; it calls for presence, trust, and grace. Grace was, and still is, a vital part of my own healing and growth. I know how hard it can be to both receive and extend grace, especially when we’re used to being strong, in control, or “having it all together.”

That’s why one of my core commitments is to show up fully, with compassion and curiosity. To listen beyond the spoken words to what’s really being said. Whether we’re sitting across from each other in person or connecting through a screen, I hold space for the whole person, not just the problem.

There’s no greater compliment than when a client tells me they feel safe, truly understood, and empowered to go deeper into the work. That kind of connection is not just helpful; it’s everything.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.journeyofgracecoaching.com/
• Instagram: https://www.journeyofgracecoaching.com/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/brownjm3
• Linkedin: https://linkedin.com/in/jenbrown-coach

Image Credits

– Lilli Summers, Summers Media