Introducing Karolina Szweda: Leadership & Confidence Coach
In this edition of Journeys in Coaching, I’m delighted to feature Karolina Szweda, a Leadership & Confidence Coach who specialises in supporting ambitious introverts, Highly Sensitive People (HSPs), and neurodiverse professionals. Karolina’s coaching practice is built on the belief that introversion and high sensitivity are strengths—not limitations—and she works to help her clients unlock their full potential without needing to conform to extroverted ideals.
With a decade of experience in marketing and leadership roles, Karolina brings a global perspective shaped by living in Warsaw, Stockholm, Oslo, Edinburgh, and London. Her transition from a fast-paced career in tech startups and venture capital to coaching was driven by her passion for meaningful conversations and her commitment to fostering authentic confidence in others. Karolina is certified by Animas and holds a Senior Practitioner Level Award from the European Mentoring and Coaching Council.
Coaching Ambitious Introverts and HSPs: A Niche Close to Her Heart
Karolina’s coaching practice is deeply personal, as she identifies strongly with the clients she serves. “I focus on supporting people like me—ambitious introverts and highly sensitive people,” she shares. Her work addresses common challenges faced by these individuals, including managing energy, overcoming self-doubt, and navigating workplace environments that often favour extroverted traits.
Karolina emphasises that introversion and high sensitivity exist on a spectrum, with each person’s experience being unique. “Introversion is about how we manage our energy. If you recharge by being alone, you’re likely an introvert,” she explains. “Highly sensitive people, on the other hand, are attuned to their environment and feel everything more intensely—sounds, sensations, emotions.” By helping her clients embrace these traits as strengths, Karolina empowers them to step into their leadership roles with quiet confidence
Supporting First-Time Leaders: Building Self-Leadership
A significant part of Karolina’s work focuses on helping first-time leaders navigate the transition from individual contributor to manager or business owner. “Many of my clients struggle with self-doubt and overthinking, especially when their new roles require them to manage people, budgets, and strategy,” she notes. This shift often feels overwhelming, and Karolina helps her clients build the self-leadership skills needed to succeed.
Her coaching sessions often involve mindset shifts, such as helping clients reframe their internal expectations. “One question I love to ask is, ‘When was the last time you allowed yourself to be a beginner?’” Karolina shares. Encouraging her clients to embrace learning and imperfection helps them navigate their roles with greater ease and confidence. She also challenges the traditional image of a leader, focusing instead on authenticity, empathy, and collaboration
The Strength in Sensitivity: Transforming Weaknesses into Superpowers
One of Karolina’s key missions is to redefine how society views introversion and high sensitivity. She highlights how these traits are often misunderstood or undervalued in workplace settings. “There’s a societal narrative that being introverted or sensitive is a weakness, but I see it as a superpower,” Karolina explains. “Highly sensitive people are incredibly attuned to their environment, which makes them empathetic leaders and insightful problem-solvers.”
Karolina’s coaching focuses on helping clients identify and leverage these strengths, whether it’s deep focus, creative thinking, or an ability to connect meaningfully with others. By shifting the narrative, she enables her clients to see their unique traits as assets rather than obstacles
From Marketing to Coaching: A Journey of Purpose
Karolina’s transition from marketing to coaching was sparked by a desire for more meaningful interactions. After a successful career in tech startups and venture capital, she felt that something was missing. “I realised I found the most fulfilment in deep, one-to-one conversations,” she recalls. This insight came during a transformative 10-day silent meditation retreat, where Karolina discovered the value of slowing down and listening to her intuition.
Shortly after, Karolina was introduced to coaching by two separate friends who independently recommended Animas. “It felt like the stars aligned,” she says. Inspired by the action-oriented, forward-thinking nature of coaching, she enrolled in Animas’ Accredited Diploma in Transformative Coaching training programme. “The course was incredibly well-structured, and it exceeded all my expectations,” she shares, adding that it gave her the tools and confidence to launch her own practice.
Insights from Animas: A Foundation for Growth
Karolina credits her training with Animas for shaping her coaching philosophy and practice. “Animas taught me to meet clients where they are and hold a safe, non-judgmental space for their growth,” she explains. The flexibility of the course allowed her to balance training with a demanding job, and the supportive community of peers became an invaluable resource.
The tools Karolina learned during the programme continue to inform her work, particularly with introverts and HSPs. “It’s not about changing who they are; it’s about helping them see their value and lead in a way that’s true to themselves,” she says
Future Focus: Empowering Quiet Leaders
Looking ahead, Karolina is focused on expanding her impact by continuing to support introverts and highly sensitive professionals in their leadership journeys. Through her bespoke coaching programmes, free resources, and engaging newsletter, she aims to reach even more clients who can benefit from her empathetic and empowering approach.
“The leaders of tomorrow don’t need to be loud or domineering—they need to be thoughtful, empathetic, and authentic,” Karolina reflects. By helping her clients embrace their natural strengths, she is shaping a new narrative for leadership—one that celebrates diversity and quiet confidence.
Final Thoughts
Karolina Szweda’s work as a Leadership & Confidence Coach exemplifies the power of embracing individuality and challenging societal norms. Her dedication to helping introverts, HSPs, and neurodiverse professionals thrive demonstrates the value of coaching in creating lasting, meaningful change.
For those interested in learning more about Karolina’s work, including her free downloadable resources and newsletter, visit karolinaszweda.com or connect with her on LinkedIn.
