The Value of Coaching in Public Administration
As part of the WeCoach component of the EU-funded WeLead: EU Scheme for Young Professionals in the Western Balkans (WeLead) project, Rindi Daja from the Albanian Development Fund reflects on how coaching has shaped her leadership approach, strengthened her professional confidence, and helped her navigate complex institutional challenges. Through one-to-one coaching, she gained new perspectives on strategic communication, decision-making, and cross-institutional coordination, skills that continue to support his work in public administration reform and Albania’s European integration process.
"Participating in the WeLead program, particularly its WeCoach component, has been one of the most valuable and transformative experiences in my professional journey.
I joined the program at a moment when I felt the need to step back from the demands of my daily responsibilities and reflect more deeply on the kind of leader I wanted to become. I was looking for a space where I could examine my leadership approach from a broader, more strategic perspective. Coaching offered exactly that: a structured and thoughtful environment in which I could better understand my professional identity, reconsider my working methods, and approach complex responsibilities with greater clarity and purpose.
The journey was both challenging and practical. During the one-to-one coaching sessions, I reflected on how I make decisions, respond to pressure, and balance immediate demands with longer-term strategic objectives. These conversations encouraged honest self-assessment and helped me recognize both my strengths and the areas where I could grow. Over time, I developed a more grounded sense of professional confidence. Today, when facing complex institutional challenges, I am better able to pause, analyze the situation calmly, and move forward with a clear, solution-oriented approach.
The experience also changed the way I understand leadership. I now see it not simply as managing tasks, but as providing direction, communicating with purpose, and building trust. The skills I strengthened, particularly strategic communication and cross-institutional coordination, have become directly relevant to my daily work and my contribution to public administration reform and Albania’s European integration agenda.
I am sincerely grateful to my coach, Nena Veber, for her guidance, professionalism, and the trust she fostered throughout this process. I also wish to express my deep appreciation to the entire CEF team for designing and delivering such a meaningful and forward-looking initiative. CEF’s commitment to empowering young professionals across the Western Balkans creates a genuine and lasting impact, and I feel truly honored to be part of this network."