How a Difficult Feedback Session Turned into a Turning Point

I still remember the Monday morning that changed everything. 

The team had been under pressure for months. Deadlines were getting tighter, and tensions had quietly started building. As the department head of a fast-paced tech company, I prided myself on being approachable and open. But nothing prepared me for what came during that anonymous 360° feedback session. 

It was brutal. 

Words like “dismissive,” “detached,” and “unaware of team stress” leapt off the page. I sat in stunned silence, flipping through the report, reading it again to make sure I hadn’t misinterpreted. I hadn’t. It was all there, black and white—how my team truly perceived me. 

That night, I couldn’t sleep. I kept asking myself: How did I miss all this? 

A close colleague, someone I trusted, suggested I consider working with an executive coach. At first, I was skeptical. I thought coaching was for people who were failing. But as I reflected on that feedback session, I realized I wasn’t failing but I was stuck. That’s when I was introduced to Arvind Khinvesra, a highly respected certified executive coach. 

From the first conversation, Arvind brought a sense of calm and clarity. He didn’t judge or offer quick fixes. Instead, he asked thoughtful questions that forced me to look inward. What did I value as a leader? Where was the disconnect between intention and perception? 

I signed up for one of his executive coaching programs, and that decision became the true turning point in my leadership journey. 

Over the weeks, Arvind and I dug deep. One particular session stands out. He asked me, “What do you hear when you read that feedback? And what’s the story you’re telling yourself about it?” That question hit me. I realized I had taken the feedback as an attack on my character, rather than a mirror reflecting my blind spots. 

Arvind’s approach, shaped by his extensive background and training in a certified executive coaching program, was both structured and intuitive. We mapped out my leadership style, identified stress triggers, and built strategies for empathetic communication. He introduced me to tools that weren’t just theoretical they were practical and immediately applicable with my team. 

One powerful tool Arvind taught me was the “Pause and Probe” method. Instead of reacting, I learned to pause, ask probing questions, and create space for conversation. It changed the dynamic in meetings. My team started opening up. One even said, “It finally feels like we’re being heard.” 

What struck me most was how tailored the journey was. This wasn’t a one-size-fits-all workshop. It was personal. Transformational. And built on the strong foundation of Arvind’s expertise as a certified executive coach. 

I also discovered how much I didn’t know about the depth and breadth of executive coaching programs. Through Arvind, I learned that effective coaching is not about fixing weaknesses—it’s about unlocking potential. And it’s grounded in science, strategy, and deep human insight. 

Three months into the process, my leadership evaluations started shifting. Feedback became more positive. Engagement scores went up. But more importantly, I felt like a better version of myself—more aware, more present, and more connected. 

Looking back, I see that difficult feedback session not as a setback, but as a wake-up call. And meeting Arvind Khinvesra was the catalyst that turned it into a breakthrough. 

If you’re at a crossroads in your leadership journey—whether it’s due to tough feedback, a challenging team dynamic, or simply the desire to grow—I can’t recommend Arvind enough. His guidance, shaped by his journey through a certified executive coaching program, and his deep understanding of what it truly means to lead, has made an indelible impact on my life. 

Investing in an executive coach isn’t about fixing problems. It’s about unlocking your best leadership self. And thanks to Arvind and his transformative executive coaching programs, that’s exactly what I’ve done. 

— Rajiv Mehta