A Reflection on Colin Brett’s Transformative Guide

What if I could write a blog post that actually changed how someone thinks about their own potential? That’s the question that’s been dancing in my mind since I picked up Colin Brett’s brilliant new book, “What if I Could? How to be your own coach.” It’s the kind of thinking this handbook is designed to spark – those exciting moments when possibility suddenly feels tangible.

Now, you might wonder why I, a leadership coach, would be championing a book about self-coaching. Isn’t this a bit like a restaurant owner writing rave reviews about cooking at home? Shouldn’t I be worried about putting myself out of business? Here’s the counterintuitive truth: the best coaches don’t create dependency, we empower our clients to become their own greatest advocates.

This is my Jam!

Colin has crafted an everyday-language handbook for intentional change. What sets it apart from the sea of self-help books is how it frames intentional change in a low-threat, high-possibility way. Totally my jam! Instead of suggesting dramatic life overhauls or threatening you with failure, it whispers, “Hey, what if you could try something small today?” It’s like having a wise, encouraging friend (who happens to be an expert coach) tucked in your back pocket.

The magic woven throughout these pages lies in possibility, imagination, and creativity. Colin understands that transformation doesn’t begin with action; it begins with wonder and curiosity. When we ask “What if I could…?”, we’re cracking open doors in our minds that we didn’t know existed. It’s the difference between standing at the edge of a cliff (terrifying) and standing at the threshold of an adventure with permission to take baby steps(thrilling).

The book champions three delightfully doable practices that I’m already weaving into my own life:

Delightfully Doable Practice #1: “What if” journaling

Posing one question to yourself each morning or evening. No pressure to answer perfectly, just permission to wonder. 

Delightfully Doable Practice #2: Sharing your “what ifs” with a friend.

Spark a conversation by voicing possibility aloud; it makes the impossible feel suddenly possible. 

Delightfully Doable Practice #3: Treat “what if” questions like micro-experiments rather than commitments to big change. 

Think mini-adventures, not major renovations.

My Own “What If I Could…” Moment

Speaking of adventures, here is my own “What if I could…” moment that this book helped illuminate. What if I could trust my instincts more in coaching conversations, even when they lead me somewhere unplanned? For someone who tends to over-prepare session agendas and plan thoughtful questions in advance, this felt like stepping onto a tightrope. But Colin’s approach made it feel less like risking everything and more like trying a new route to the office. So I started small. I let myself follow one unscripted tangent with clients, allowing curiosity to guide one leadership conversation each day. My insight is that those unplanned moments often became the most breakthrough-rich sessions. That tiny risk re-lit something I’d forgotten I missed: the joy of genuine discovery alongside my clients.

I’ve started weaving this “what if” approach into my work with leadership clients, and the results have been interesting. Instead of jumping straight into action planning or problem-solving, I now invite leaders to spend time in the possibility space first. 

• “What if you could lead that difficult conversation with complete confidence?” 
• “What if your team meetings became the highlight of everyone’s week?” 
• “What if you could trust your team’s capabilities as much as you trust your own?” 

These questions create a different kind of thinking; one that’s expansive rather than constrictive, curious rather than critical. My clients are discovering that when they start with wonder instead of worry, their leadership solutions become more creative, more authentic, and surprisingly more achievable.

“What If You Could…”

I find myself channeling Colin’s coaching style with questions for you. And yes, perhaps putting myself out of business one powerful question at a time. 

• What if you could give yourself permission to wonder about one small change today?
• What if the transformation you’re seeking doesn’t require a complete life overhaul but simply a willingness to ask better questions?
• What if you could start right now?

Insightful Nuggets Gleaned from my Read

• Colin Brett’s got a magic mix of wisdom and wit: He doesn’t just bring deep insights; he brings them with a twinkle in his eye and a good dash of humour, making learning feel both profound and fun.
• A master of reflective space: Colin creates an environment where you feel safe to explore your own edges. He’s like a trusted guide who hands you the flashlight and says, “Let’s see what insights we can find together.”
• Practical and down-to-earth: Colin’s not about lofty theories that stay stuck in the clouds. He’s all about turning big ideas into real-life, “use-this-on-Monday” kind of tools. AND he is a master in the fields of Transactional Analysis, Leadership, Coaching and Positive Psychology, to name a few.
• An author who speaks your language: Colin has a knack for writing in a way that feels like a warm conversation. You come away inspired and ready to experiment with new ideas.
• Integrity and authenticity: Colin walks his talk. He models the very authenticity and courage he encourages in others, making the journey of growth feel genuinely shared.