Celebrating 100 Pro-Bono Coaching Hours
I’ve just crossed a milestone: 100 hours of pro-bono coaching with incredible purpose leaders from Brazil, New Zealand, the U.S., Kyrgyzstan, the U.K., and beyond.
What do they all have in common?
- They want to live in alignment with their values and in doing so making the world a better place.
- They can dream; they get excited; they are extremely clever.
- They dare to pursue purpose over profits.
- They are just as curious about their inner worlds as they are about the systems they want to transform.
- They thrive and look for connection, inspiration, and validation.
What is your contribution to humanity?
Some people might say that my contribution to humanity lies in my work—creating safe houses across the UK for LGBTQI people fleeing persecution—and founding Micro Rainbow, a social enterprise that transforms lives. And they wouldn’t be wrong. That work has been profoundly meaningful.
But when I recently asked myself this question, I was surprised by my answer.
It wasn’t about launching the UK’s first ever safe housing scheme for LGBTQI asylum seekers. Nor was it about the innovative poverty reduction programmes we developed in Cambodia and Brazil, or the global work of the charity I founded, the Micro Rainbow International Foundation.
This question came up during a group coaching programme accredited by the Association for Coaching (AC), led by the formidable Zoe Hawkins and Joe Whitley of In Good Company. A simple question—but it became a turning point for me.
If I had asked myself this question ten years ago, those accomplishments would have been my answers. And rightly so. But what I love is that our contribution to humanity isn’t fixed—it evolves, just as we do.
As I approach my late forties, I want my contribution to stretch beyond my daily job and vocation. I want to support people, to grow resilience, to nurture sustainable movements. I want to share my lived experience, the insights I’ve gained and the resources I’ve been fortunate to access.
I want to be a sounding board for young change-makers who still dare to dream, especially when indifference starts to creep in, as well as new generations of social entrepreneurs and activists, helping them stay rooted, inspired, and bold.
Why Give Back as a Founder and Social Entrepreneur?
There are so many reasons. Here are five that make my life and leadership richer:
1. I get to be the role model I never had.
Growing up, I didn’t have mentors who looked like me or worked like me. Social entrepreneurs were a rare breed. I craved someone who understood the challenges of building something meaningful and just. Now, by coaching others, I can be that person. And in doing so, I heal a little part of my younger self.
2. I learn more about myself, constantly.
Coaching holds up a mirror. A session with a coachee on the brink of burnout ended up helping both of us. As we explored the limiting beliefs contributing to their exhaustion, something shifted. Together, we unpacked the persistent narrative they had been carrying: “I don’t deserve rest.”
That realisation was a lightbulb moment. It opened the door to meaningful self-care actions, and a new way of thinking.
That same week, I was also close to my edge. Supporting my coachee to reflect and to commit to better boundaries and self-care helped me to do the very same. Coaching humbles and teaches me, every single time.
3. It fuels inspiration, hope, and positivity.
I work with brilliant, purpose-driven humans. Their courage and commitment lift me up. Watching emerging leaders carve out their space in the world gives me real hope, not just for my work, but for the future of our movements. They inspire me and they are one of my tribes.
4. It connects me to something bigger.
Giving back expands my tribe. When I feel isolated or discouraged, I remember the leaders I’ve coached and the change-makers I’m in community with. That sense of belonging reminds me: we are not alone in this work. We are all one. By giving back, I am supporting not only the resilience of individual leaders, but also the movements and systems they belong to.
5. It’s a radical act of care, for others and for myself.
Time is the most precious thing I can give because I do not have much of it. As a full-time social entrepreneur and founding chair of the charity I created, my days are full. That’s why when I choose to give my time, it means more to me than making a financial donation. It’s a deeper kind of commitment..
And yet, every time I give my time freely, I receive something in return: joy, purpose, healing. Coaching change-makers is both an act of solidarity and a form of self-care. It reminds me why I do this work, and it keeps me grounded in the values that started it all.
The butterfly effect
Giving back through pro-bono coaching makes me a better leader, a more grounded entrepreneur, and a stronger human. It helps sustain the leaders and movements I care about. It sparks impact far beyond what I can see.
I like to think of it as part of the butterfly effect: that beautiful idea that a small act (like one coaching session… or the flap of a butterfly’s wings) can shift entire systems. Maybe that’s why butterflies are the symbol of all three organisations I’ve founded.
Sebastian’s Coffee Cup Coaching Corner
Grab a coffee. Take 10 minutes. Reflect with these prompts:
- What is your contribution to humanity right now?
- How does (or would) this contribution make you feel?
- What steps are you taking to bring it to life?
- What’s missing that you’d like to add?
- Who can help you grow this contribution?
I hope this post offers a moment to pause and reflect. I’d love to hear from you:
What’s your contribution to humanity right now? How are you giving back?
Share in the comments, on LinkedIn, or drop me a message. Let’s keep learning from each other.
With solidarity and hope,
Sebastian
P.S. If you enjoyed this post, check out the Build a Social Enterprise Blog for more practical insights and stories.
@sebastianrocca @buildasocialenterprise
