Farah Ismail, Author at Farah Ismail

Nominated for 2024 CoachAwards

I am happy to share that I’ve been nominated for the prestigious Coach Awards in the Executive Coach category! This nomination is a beautiful reflection of the journey I’ve taken to help my clients push boundaries and unlock infinite possibilities for growth, courage, and transformation. When I first stepped into the world of Executive Coaching, it was a journey of self-expansion – one that taught me to embrace courage and push my own limits, so I could inspire others to do the same. As the countdown to the final voting period begins, I’m excited to share stories of the powerful work I’ve been privileged to facilitate and why this path means so much to me. Congratulations to all my fellow nominees – together, we’re making an impact! It’s truly an honor to stand alongside such inspiring coaches who are leaders in their own fields. If you’ve followed my work and feel it deserves recognition, I’d be so grateful for your vote! Your support fuels this journey to empower more lives and leave a lasting legacy. You can vote here. Here’s to courage, growth, and making a difference! What a special day this is! Remember, the most powerful way to live is to inspire or move someone to live better. So, if you’ve found a piece of your journey in these words and you want to know more about my journey, I invite you to join me further. Let’s continue the conversation. You can subscribe to my YouTube Channel and grab your free copy of “Dare to Be You” eBook here. Farah IsmailI am a courage catalyst, executive coach, facilitator, speaker and founder of Interact Consulting. www.coachfarah.com

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Turning Expectations into Agreements

Leadership / Farah Ismail

As leaders, it’s easy to fall into the trap of assuming others will naturally understand and meet our unspoken or vague expectations. When those expectations go unmet, frustration follows, and we might respond by either disengaging or taking on the task ourselves. “Expectations are like fine pottery. The harder you hold them, the more likely they are to crack.” – Brandon Sanderson, The Way of Kings True leadership means co-creating clear agreements that foster a culture of mutual respect and shared goals, rather than just issuing expectations. Turning expectations into agreements is a game-changer. This has been one of the most powerful distinctions I’ve learned from Steve Chandler. My clients often share that applying this single concept makes a profound difference in all their relationships—business or personal. If you’ve ever felt the gap between what’s expected and what’s executed, maybe it’s time to choose a more creative way to lead. Are you ready to elevate your leadership toolkit? Remember, the most powerful way to live is to inspire or move someone to live better. So, if you’ve found a piece of your journey in these words and you want to know more about my journey, I invite you to join me further. Let’s continue the conversation. You can subscribe to my YouTube Channel and grab your free copy of “Dare to Be You” eBook here. Farah IsmailI am a courage catalyst, executive coach, facilitator, speaker and founder of Interact Consulting. www.coachfarah.com

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#COURAGEreframe

Courage / Farah Ismail

Over the past few weeks, I invited members in my Courage Unlimited Community to an exploration challenge… To uncover our fears! They shared what “FEAR” means to them, with some constraints. Share in one sentence. Every sentence must start with “For me…” Each sentence can have a maximum of 12 words. Even if someone has expressed your idea, share it anyway What emerged was a profound realization… It is better to speak it out than bounce it in our heads. Fear cannot survive in the light. From this exploration, we identified several themes: Fear of limiting ourselves and not reaching our full potential. Fear of being judged or not being enough for others. Fear of the unknown, the uncertainty of what’s ahead. Fear of stagnation and staying in our comfort zone. Fear of loss—of loved ones. Fear of vulnerability and feeling exposed. But what if fear isn’t just something to run from? What if fear is also an invitation? In Hebrew, there is a concept called yirah. Yirah can mean fear, but it also means awe, reverence, and standing on the threshold of something vast and unknown—something that has the potential to inspire, awaken, and transform us. What if fear is a doorway, not just an obstacle? What if we could embrace yirah and let it guide us toward deeper growth and wisdom? This is what I am embracing — a reframe that allows me to meet fear not with dread, but with curiosity, respect, and the understanding that it’s guiding me toward something meaningful. Fear cannot survive in the light! What does fear mean for you? Remember, the most powerful way to live is to inspire or move someone to live better. So, if you’ve found a piece of your journey in these words and you want to know more about my journey, I invite you to join me further. Let’s continue the conversation. You can subscribe to my YouTube Channel and grab your free copy of “Dare to Be You” eBook here. Farah IsmailI am a courage catalyst, executive coach, facilitator, speaker and founder of Interact Consulting. www.coachfarah.com

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Be A Sponge

Mindset / Farah Ismail

Recently, I kicked off a session by inviting everyone to describe how they related to a sponge. And here’s what they shared: “When I’m being this, I realize I can learn from anybody, soaking up the gold that’s mine to receive.” “I’m reminded not to be too hard on myself.” “A sponge can absorb, but sometimes you have to squeeze out what’s there already to make space for more.” “Opening up… letting go of fear and being willing to receive.” These powerful reflections remind us of the ability we have to create our experiences. As a sponge, we choose to absorb new ideas, insights, and perspectives. But here’s the key: a sponge doesn’t just soak things up – it also releases when it’s squeezed. In the same way, I encourage you not only to take in what resonates with you but also to actively engage, question, and express your thoughts in your next meeting. There’s a unique power in bringing our highest and most open listening to a space – a presence that goes beyond just hearing words. Invitation for today: Share a comment if this resonates with you or share your reflections below. Are you ready to be a sponge – to absorb, engage, and release? Remember, the most powerful way to live is to inspire or move someone to live better. So, if you’ve found a piece of your journey in these words and you want to know more about my journey, I invite you to join me further. Let’s continue the conversation. You can subscribe to my YouTube Channel and grab your free copy of “Dare to Be You” eBook here. Farah IsmailI am a courage catalyst, executive coach, facilitator, speaker and founder of Interact Consulting. www.coachfarah.com

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Fail Gloriously

Mindset / Farah Ismail

Are you being CAUGHT WORTHY? Have you ever had an experience of spending time with someone, and it has changed your perspective or changed your life? You may not even remember exactly what they said but it’s had a tremendous impact on you. You caught their essence! During one of my early conversations with my coach, I was intrigued by his commitment to fitness and got curious about 75 Hard. I decided to do the research about this mental toughness challenge that is simple but not designed to be easy. What makes it hard? If you skip any of the tasks, you start over again! These are the tasks for the 75-day journey: Two 45-minute workouts (One of those workouts is outdoors, whatever the weather) Drink one gallon of water Read 10 pages of a physical book Take a progress photo No cheat meals No alcohol I decided to commit to this challenge and got the app. In 10 days, I failed! I had forgotten to take the progress picture! I started again. Within a week, I failed again. This time I couldn’t finish drinking a gallon of water by the end of the day! Once again, I created a radical commitment for my fitness and started Round 3. This time, I created a system to remind me to complete the tasks. It is Day 48 today and I am feeling mentally and physically strong. I am loving it. What have I learnt so far on this journey? Be Caught Worthy. The most powerful way to live is to inspire or move someone to live better. Be Radically Committed to yourself. It starts with a decision. What follows is miracles. Fail Gloriously. Choose to embrace failure and learn from every experience. What do you catch from the leaders, teachers, and coaches around you? Remember, the most powerful way to live is to inspire or move someone to live better. So, if you’ve found a piece of your journey in these words and you want to know more about my 75-Hard Challenge, I invite you to join me further. Let’s continue the conversation. You can subscribe to my YouTube Channel and grab your free copy of “Dare to Be You” eBook here. Farah IsmailI am a courage catalyst, executive coach, facilitator, speaker and founder of Interact Consulting. www.coachfarah.com

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