As a coach, I hear many stories from leaders facing difficult challenges. Often, their reactions to these situations stem from places deep in the subconscious. I’ve experienced this myself—feeling something intensely but struggling to articulate why. It’s only after meditation, journaling, or quiet reflection that I begin to uncover the root.

One story that has always stayed with me comes from The Whole-Brain Child by Dr. Daniel J. Siegel. As a new father, Siegel found himself emotionally withdrawing when his infant son cried. Though he loved his child, the sound deeply disturbed him—and he didn’t understand why. After some inner work, a long-buried memory resurfaced.