A few years ago, back when her days were packed with back-to-back meetings, if you had asked Erickson student and Coach, Kaberi Bhattacharya, what could really change in 30 minutes, she’d likely have said… nothing much. But learning coaching flipped that belief on its head.

The Efficiency Trap

In the corporate world, I used to enter conversations 'prepared' - armed with updates, advice, and ready responses. That seemed valuable. On paper, listening 'just to reply' feels efficient. In reality, it leaves almost no room for insight.

You know the kind of meeting I mean, the one where everyone talks, minutes fly by, and at the end, you think, “What a waste of time!” Stephen R. Covey puts it perfectly:
“Most people do not listen with the intent to understand; they listen with the intent to reply.” When I read this recently, it struck me differently. We rarely focus on truly
understanding, often because we’re not sure how to actually listen.

Listening with Eyes and Heart

I first glimpsed the answer through a simple moment with my son, then in primary school. After school, I asked, “What did you learn today?” He replied, eyes wide: “We learnt to listen with our eyes and our hearts.”

Simple. Profound. And yet, for a long time, I didn’t dig deeper. For me, true listening only began when I shifted my perspective to:
• Believing people already hold their own answers
• Trusting their ability to notice solutions and next steps

Sounds simple, right? It’s not. It takes practice, patience, and a willingness to be present. It’s about letting go of the urge to fix - and instead holding space for curiosity.

The Magic Happens In The Space Between Words...

When we stop scripting our next sentence, our attention moves beyond words. Pauses, sighs, smiles - the unspoken starts to emerge. In that space, people uncover their own ideas and notice small, meaningful steps forward. Their insights, not ours.

This also explains why advice, even well-intentioned, often doesn’t land. Sure, we can talk to friends. But those conversations carry history, bias, and emotional investment; advice and “fixing” often sneak in. Coaching is different. It’s neutral, intentional, and deeply present. It’s a space where people can:
• Untangle overwhelm
• Notice what matters most
• Identify next steps that feel doable and inspiring

Imagine someone being fully present with you. No judgment. No fixing. Just attention that allows your insights to surface. In that space, 30 minutes can unlock clarity, reveal possibilities, and spark solutions you already carry within yourself.

A Personal Turning Point

I share this not just as a coach, but from lived experience. Recently, I navigated a career transition. It feels easier to talk about it now, but at the time, there was a heaviness I carried for weeks. There were too many moving pieces - expectations, and voices in the head, and amidst all of this, I needed to make a decision.

I knew something needed to change, and yet, part of me wanted to stay with what was familiar and safe. The weight of responsibilities felt overwhelming. My thoughts were noisy, tangled. I felt stuck - almost suffocated by it all. Then, in a coaching conversation, after I poured out all that noise, my coach asked a simple question: “What do you want?” And then… silence.

In that silence, I felt something shift. There was a warmth, a space that allowed me to hear myself again. Slowly, the fog began to clear. What truly mattered came into focus. From that place of clarity, the next steps didn’t feel so heavy anymore. One small step at a time - they felt lighter, more intentional, more meaningful. And, taking those steps forward gave me the opportunity to write and share this piece with you.

In closing...

So, what can really change in 30 minutes? In a coaching conversation, sometimes it can quietly change the direction of your life.

ABOUT KABERI

Kaberi brings over 20 years of global experience across Asia, Europe, and Australia, having held senior leadership roles within the technology sectors of finance, retail, and healthcare, including one of Australia’s Big Four banks.

Her career spans technical delivery, project management, and people leadership, always with a core focus on enabling others to grow and succeed.

Currently working toward her coaching accreditation, Kaberi operates at the intersection of corporate strategy and human-centred development. She leverages her deep industry breadth to help individuals and teams navigate complexity, find clarity, and lead with confidence.

To follow and connect with Kaberi on LinkedIn, visit her profile.