Self-Aware, Team-Ready: Coaching Wisdom From Esra Uras Bilgin

"People cannot truly understand others without first understanding themselves."

Effective leadership starts with profound self-knowledge. Esra Uras Bilgin believes that it is only when we know our own needs and inner workings that we can succeed in reaching and leading others. In today’s fast-paced, AI-enhanced world, developing self-leadership—based on courage, openness, and the Gestalt art of contact—lays the foundation for impactful leaders who drive real change. We sat down with her to ask her a couple of questions and get her insights on coaching, leadership, AI and more.

"Why do you believe personal development is essential for success in today’s dynamic work environment?"

"I believe personal development is essential for success in today's dynamic work environment because people cannot truly understand others without first understanding themselves. It is essential to develop the ability to connect with awareness and act with authentic presence in order to engage meaningfully with colleagues and different teams. Self-leadership begins with inner work, guided by a willingness to connect with one's own needs. Once a leader is able to connect with themselves with courage and openness, their ability to recognize and respond to the needs of others becomes much clearer. That clarity fosters mutual growth and creates a ripple effect of positive impact. This, in turn, leads to influential leaders who are capable of driving meaningful change."

"Can you share a significant ‘aha moment’ or an inspiring story from your coaching experience where leadership development made a real impact?"

"I’ve had several inspiring 'aha moments,' but one stands out. I was working with an executive client who was Head of Sales at a large international company. He was leading a diverse core team that resembled a mosaic, and he felt strongly about including everyone and fostering a sense of unity, rather than allowing competition to dominate the team's dynamic. During a session focused on this competition theme, my client had a sudden flashback to his high school years. He recalled a math teacher who relentlessly pushed students to outdo each other in preparation for the university entrance exams. Success was measured solely by individual achievement, and there was no encouragement to feel part of a group or team. That was his 'aha moment.' Even though he cognitively understood the importance of collaboration, something subconscious was holding him back from creating a real sense of team. He realized that, as a leader, he had been unconsciously favoring the more competitive and assertive team members, while overlooking others. 

Through coaching, we revisited that young student from his past—acknowledging the behaviors that were useful then but were no longer serving his leadership role today. ‘Aha moments’ are valuable because they bridge past behavioral patterns with present-day realities. They remind us that while we are no longer the people we were, those experiences still shape how we lead unless we consciously address them."

"What are the most common challenges managers face in growing as leaders, and how do you help them overcome these?"

"The most common challenge is that managers often lose sight of the whole picture. They get bogged down in the details, unable to see how the parts connect. According to the Gestalt approach, the whole is greater than the sum of its parts. To overcome this, I help leaders first break the whole into manageable parts, work on each one, and then reconnect them in a way that forms a new, more complete understanding. 

Often, leaders focus only on symptoms—on what’s visible—without exploring the root causes. Recognizing the symptoms is a start, but real growth happens when they begin to dig deeper and address the hidden issues. Once you see something clearly, you can’t unsee it. That same principle applies to leadership: the moment you become truly curious and stay with what’s happening—without jumping to conclusions—is the moment you begin to lead authentically."

"What aspect of coaching inspires you the most and keeps you motivated to help your clients grow?"

"My greatest inspiration comes from witnessing my clients tap into their inner strength and potential. Each person has a multitude of possible selves, and helping them access and embrace those selves is deeply rewarding. I love seeing clients act with courage, authenticity, and self-awareness. When they connect deeply—with their thoughts, emotions, and bodies—they become truly grounded leaders, not only for themselves but also as role models for others. This is what I call the 'art of contact' in the Gestalt approach. It's an existential process, and when it works optimally, it fosters genuine leadership from within."

"How do you see a platform like TopLeader helping companies develop their people and enhance leadership skills?"

"I see TopLeader as an essential tool for leadership development. It merges human insight with digital capabilities, allowing companies to scale and measure progress more effectively. Technology in leadership coaching is no longer optional—it’s the future. It allows us to gather insights, improve self-assessments, and make leaders more coachable. With these tools, both companies and individuals can track progress, focus on targeted development areas, and clearly report outcomes."

"What trends or changes do you see shaping the future of leadership and personal development?"

"I believe the future of leadership will focus more on human-centered skills—emotional intelligence, wellbeing, and resilience—tailored to today’s fast-changing world. Adaptability and agility will be crucial, and sustainability and ethics will be at the forefront. At the same time, the integration of technology into learning and development will become standard. 'Digital and AI-driven leadership' is no longer just a future trend—it’s already here. And it's one of the most critical skillsets leaders must begin building today."

Esra’s insights remind us that impactful leadership emerges from the intersection of self-awareness, genuine connection, and the strategic use of technology. By honoring past experiences, embracing Gestalt’s art of contact, and leveraging AI-driven tools, leaders can cultivate the clarity and resilience needed to guide diverse teams toward shared goals.

Stay tuned for more stories from our coaches and learn how TopLeader can support your journey to authentic, human-centered leadership.