We all have a leader within.
Let’s discover yours.
Rita Hyland,
Expert Leadership Coach & Life Strategist
Creator of the Inside Out Method
© 2024 Rita Hyland | PRIVACY
We all have a leader within.
We all have a leader within.
Let’s discover yours.
We all have a leader within.
Let’s discover yours.
Rita Hyland,
Expert Leadership Coach & Life Strategist
Creator of the Inside Out Method
Expert Leadership Coach & Life Strategist
Creator of the Inside Out Method
ABOUT
Here’s my journey so far…
Early Lessons in Leadership
1977 – From a young age, I began to understand the intricacies of leadership through the exemplary example set by my father. As a Colonel in the U.S. Army, he embodied discipline, commitment, selflessness, and integrity – traits that would later become central to my philosophy of leadership.
Discovering the Power of Influence… in Grade School
1984 – In 7th grade, I organized my grade school’s canned food drive. I noticed that simply by talking about a vision and motivating my classmates to get involved that we were collecting cans in numbers we’d never seen before. 1000, 5000,10,000 cans!! By Thanksgiving, we had an unprecedented 20,000 canned food goods to share with our city. Relatively shy and sometimes afraid to use my voice, I began to see the power of numbers when I used it. I remember my teacher taking me aside and telling me I had something special and I needed to use it to lead others.
My Introduction to Intention
1988 – At the age of 16, I saw an opportunity to win a car, a luxury my family couldn’t afford, through a high school raffle. Determined to win, I committed to selling five raffle tickets daily for 41 days. Despite my inexperience in sales, my clear vision and dedication carried me. I consistently imagined my victory, which eventually became a reality. This was my first brush with the power of intention, a technique I wasn’t familiar with back then but have come to appreciate in my professional journey.
Hustling
1996 – In 1996, as a driven young professional in Chicago’s financial sector, I equated success with ceaseless striving and perfectionism. The demanding pace took a toll on my health, landing me on short-term disability in my 20s. This wake-up call made me realize the need for change and balance.
I Interview My First Coach
1998 – Five years out of college and not loving the financial career path I was on, I hear about a little-known field loosely referred to as “coaching.” I interviewed a coach. It turns out she interviews me. My mind was blown. This interaction was a turning point — it reshaped my perspective and illuminated a path of profound personal and professional growth. I left with a clarity I had never had before. No longer blocked by my blindspots, the next 18 months brought abundance in every category of my life. I created everything I’d previously thought was a dream.
People Started Asking
2000 – “What are you doing? How can I get some of that too?” That’s when I began my coaching practice out of my one-bedroom apartment in downtown Chicago. I made a promise to myself — even if it took me until I was 90, I’d figure out how to teach others that success is not just about working yourself to the bone. Because if that were the case, wouldn’t a lot more people be successful?
I Announce the Shift
2001 – I go part-time on my day job (something they had never let other managers do) so I can spend the other two days building my coaching practice. My determination was rock solid. I just had this deep-down feeling that I had to share what I’d discovered, and nothing was going to stand in my way.
Love Joins the Journey
2001 – A significant piece of my personal dream was finding a partner who truly valued me and respected the work I was driven to do. Our first date wasn’t your typical affair. I laid it all out for him – that I was on the brink of leaving my job to embark on a journey as a coach. It was a bit of a litmus test, to see if he was up for the adventure. Not only did he stay, but he’s been my unwavering supporter throughout this beautiful journey we embarked on together.
Juggling Family Life and a Blossoming Career
2003 – The period from 2003 to 2009 was marked by the joy of becoming a mother to Casserly, Leah, and Cole, as well as witnessing the steady growth of my coaching business. It was an exhilarating time as I was not only nurturing my family but also my growing interest in the expansive fields of personal growth, coaching, and transformation. My love of coaching was just starting to catch fire during this phase.
Entering the Big Leagues
2004 – I found myself immersed in a new landscape when my first major corporate client brought me on board to work with their senior leaders. It was a turning point that fueled my passion further. A powerful revelation took root: high performance in the business world is intrinsically linked to self-awareness and personal fulfillment.
Deepening the Craft
2011 – Throughout this period, my understanding of sustainable change and personal transformation deepened. I was privileged to work with an expanding roster of clients, and simultaneously learn from influential mentors such as Sonia Choquette, Tony Robbins, Jack Canfield, and Byron Katie, among others. This journey refined my intuitive skills and shed light on the essential role of spirituality in unlocking the full extent of one’s personal and professional prowess.
The Power of Scaling
2013 – This year marked my foray into virtual courses, an initial step that underlined the significant potential of scaling. The course, entitled “Playing Full Out™”, was met with positive reviews. The enthusiastic feedback served as a clear indicator of the pressing need for this type of leadership development material.
Lessons Through Adversity
2018 – In 2018, I faced an alarming incident where I was accosted by two gang members in a parking lot. Almost simultaneously, I received an erroneous breast cancer diagnosis. This series of events triggered a constant state of stress. However, these challenges also served as catalysts for a profound dive into the study of neuroscience and the inner workings of the brain. The experience propelled me toward mastering cognitive control, understanding the power of choice, and learning how to create a resilient and healthy mind.
Embracing Spirituality as a Business Asset
2019 – In 2019, I undertook an apprenticeship with a shaman, which marked a transformative period in my life and career. The spiritual insights I gained during this journey became the linchpin to my success. They were like the “secret ingredient” in my recipe for accomplishment. As I delved deeper into these practices, I noticed a distinct and powerful amplification of my success, not just in business, but in all aspects of life. This spiritual journey, it appears, correlated with a remarkable upswing in my personal and professional growth.
The Synthesis of Diverse Paths
2023 – In 2023, all of the distinct pathways of my experiences – from leadership to productivity, spirituality to transformational psychology, and neuroscience – blend seamlessly into a unified whole. This convergence gives rise to The Inner Game Advantage, a comprehensive program for leaders, harmonizing the valuable insights from each domain into an integrated, powerful approach to living and leading at your highest level.
There comes a time when we hear a call to change, to show up to our edges — to play full out.