Connected with Jen and Shannon Begin Again (and again, and again) with Beena Sharma:
Sep 1, 2025
Beena Sharma, founder of the Vertical Development Academy and a thought leader in adult development, shares her insights on personal growth at any age. She discusses transforming life’s barriers into opportunities for deeper self-understanding and compassion. Through anecdotes, she contrasts vertical and horizontal development, emphasizing emotional intelligence. Beena advocates for embracing discomfort as a pathway to maturity and connection, and highlights the transformative power of safety in fostering growth. A conversation brimming with hope and inspiration!
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From Motherhood To A Career In Development
- Beena Sharma began her development journey after the birth of her daughter, which sparked her interest in education and how children learn.
- That led her from classroom practice to curriculum design and eventually to working with adults and leaders in human development.
Vertical Development Versus Horizontal Growth
- Vertical development deepens how we see and respond to life rather than just adding skills or information.
- It changes beliefs, perspective taking, and the capacity to meet complex relational and systemic challenges.
Workshop Lessons Sparked A Shift To Learning
- Beena taught creative thinking to both children and corporate leaders and found leaders struggled to apply skills back on the job.
- That realization shifted her focus from teaching skills to studying how adults actually learn and integrate new capacities.