Why I Coach—Noura Liben
Noura L., an expert Leland coach and Stanford MBA, outlines why she chooses to coach and what it means to her.
![Noura L.](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fleland.imgix.net%2Fprofile-photos%2F62993d9e8f5de6261e129cd2.png&w=3840&q=75)
By Noura L.
Posted August 22, 2022
![](https://cdn.sanity.io/images/anl9abaw/production/16d2012c12436f149f8c402d419d1afdb83781a9-750x563.jpg?w=3840&q=75&fit=clip&auto=format)
Coaches play a special role in my life. My parents, swim coach, and GMAT coach were all critical to my development. Their lasting impact on my journey is what inspired me to become a coach myself.
My journey to business school was not conventional. I started my career wearing steel-toed boots in the heart of Texas managing welding production of capital drilling equipment. Earning an MBA from a top-tier institution was a dream of mine, but making a career shift to business felt like a huge stretch. No one in my family or network had journeyed down this path but I charged ahead nonetheless.
Despite trying to cultivate a positive “can-do” attitude, I bombed the GMAT twice in a row. I was disappointed and realized that I needed guidance, so I decided to work with an MBA coach. It took me a year but with coaching, dedication, and persistence, I managed to hit a 700+ score and earn admission to several schools, but most importantly, Stanford GSB. I felt elation and a deep sense of achievement, feelings that stayed with me for the entire spring and summer.
As a coach, I get to support others in their MBA journey and it brings me great joy to hear news of people getting into their dream schools. Those moments are inspiring and a reminder of why I enjoy coaching so much.
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