Dear readers,

On this occasion, I had the opportunity to be interviewed by Madame Le Figaro magazine to share my ideas on coaching and leadership. Here I share the interview:

For Paola Knecht, mentor in personal and professional transformation, everything begins with a vision—a desire to transform life and realign with deep values through My-MindPower.

“Every Monday morning, I woke up with more stress than excitement about going to work. I asked myself: is this really what I want to do for the rest of my life?” she recalls.

In her book The Success Mindset, she proposes a six-step method. The first step consists of identifying what we truly love to do, without worrying about its viability or profitability. Next comes determining talents: what we do well or what those around us perceive about us. Paola encourages her clients to overcome mental blocks, especially the one that separates passion from work. “We are often taught that what we love cannot be a source of income. But why not consider combining what we are passionate about with something for which we can be paid? That is often where fulfillment lies,” she explains.

Finally, she invites her clients to reflect on the impact they want to have in the world and what legacy they want to leave behind. This approach helps define a clear and motivating direction.

Forging the Future of Leadership
Paola Knecht has always been fascinated by human psychology, particularly in the field of leadership. “Extraordinary leaders have something in common: a strong vision that guides their actions. That vision gives them purpose and makes them more effective and fulfilled,” she says. This concept, which she has explored in her books and mentoring sessions, is not limited to executives and managers.

As she points out, anyone can benefit from a clear vision to give meaning to their life—whether leading a company or simply creating a daily life aligned with their values. Paola also emphasizes that success has no universal definition. “For some, it may be running a small business that allows them to have time for their children or passions. For others, it is having a global impact. What matters is that it makes sense for the person themselves,” she notes.

Active Listening and the Role of Mentorship
What sets Paola Knecht and My-MindPower apart is the approach that combines coaching and mentoring. Unlike traditional coaching, which focuses on asking questions to guide clients toward their own answers, mentoring includes more specific and personalized advice. “Executives, for example, sometimes need a clear opinion on concrete problems,” she explains.

The key to the My-MindPower method? Active listening. “To guide someone, you must first deeply understand their needs, fears, and blockages,” Paola stresses. She helps her clients depersonalize their problems in order to analyze them objectively. “Often, leaders feel paralyzed by the fear of making the wrong decision. I help them take distance, map out the consequences of their choices, and move forward with clarity.”

Today, Paola Knecht supports clients around the world through online sessions and shares her knowledge through her books. After The Success Mindset, she recently published The Secrets of Discipline, where she explores the mental mechanisms that allow people to cultivate lasting discipline.

Inspiring and methodical, Paola Knecht demonstrates that finding one’s path and transforming life are achievable goals for everyone—provided we take the time to ask ourselves the right questions.

To access the article in its original language, you can visit the following webpage:

Interview conducted by Karen Mangia for Thrive Global

In an interview for The Thrive Global by Karen Mangia, Paola Knecht discusses the need to redefine success, a central theme of her book The Success Mindset.

Knecht emphasizes the importance of looking inward to discover personal definitions of success, as opposed to relying on societal norms that equate success with wealth, status, or the accumulation of “more”—whether it’s more products, achievements, or recognition.

Knecht shares her personal journey, moving from a promising career in international management to becoming a self-development coach and author. Despite having material success, she realized she wasn’t aligned with her true passions of writing and helping others. This turning point helped her define success as living authentically and pursuing what truly matters, rather than conforming to external expectations.

In the interview, Knecht outlines five key lessons for redefining success:

1. Look inward: Define success based on personal desires, rather than imitating others’ achievements.
2. Live as a role model: Make a positive impact on the world by fighting for causes or dreams that matter to you.
3. Value simplicity: Embrace the joy found in simple pleasures and focus on what truly brings fulfillment.
4. Stay curious: Cultivate curiosity to stay inspired and open to new perspectives, which can fuel personal growth.
5. Reject one-size-fits-all success formulas: Avoid ready-made recipes for success and instead craft your own unique path.

Knecht also highlights the obstacles to achieving this redefined success, particularly the need to overcome limiting beliefs and bad habits. She advises making a conscious effort to live intentionally, cultivate self-awareness, and stay true to one’s core values.

Ultimately, Knecht encourages readers to reclaim their narratives and define success on their own terms, as this inward reflection is an essential act of self-love, personal empowerment, and long-term fulfillment.

For more insights, you can visit the full interview on The Thrive Global website here.