A collection of articl​es, ideas and stories about Leadership, Coaching and achieving business and career goals.
Why Coaching is Even More Important During a Pandemic
The Reflective "Mirror" : A coach helps us identify what we want, ideate a path forward, try some things to put it into action, reflect on what we learned, and then continue this virtuous cycle as we develop new ways of leading, working and thriving, with positive results.
Stress Reduction : Professional coaching techniques are scientifically proven to reduce stress. It is very difficult to have empathy, think creatively, control impulses, and make effective plans when stressed. Coaching, as a stress reducer, allows people to access more creativity, empathy, and resilience, all of which are critical right now to allow more than coping, but leading to striving and even better, thriving.
Cognitive Improvement: Coaching helps people process what is going on. This is an unprecedented time with little to compare and thus it is exceptionally difficult to process and make sense of. Without proper and focused processing during this time , we run a high probability of either crashing when it is over, or sublimating our worry, fear and stress into health issues, low energy, low performance, and other negative impacts. When we are aware of and permit ourselves to feel and share our true feelings and concerns, we move the energy through and stay steadier and more able to cope both during and after. Many of our clients have told us that now more than ever, they need the support of coaching in order to do this effectively.
Enabling Resilience: Coaching helps people find their own resilience and capacity, even when there are externalities we are not in control of. A professional coach is keenly aware of the need to to focus on the client, not the issue. When people are tuned into themselves through coaching, they see more possibility and find more internal resilience, which elevates a stronger sense of control.
Lets not ignore leaders. Coaching Leaders pays dividends across the organization; research shows that leaders have a potent impact on the 'vibe' and 'feeling' of their organization. When they are calm, emotionally regulated, thoughtful, patient and focused, those around them feel more able to respond more thoughtfully as well. This will most likely lead to permanent changes for individuals and orgs. We know coaching is one of the most effective ways to help people navigate change. Since we’re not going back to “business as usual” after this period, a Coach can help a client better identify and express their own needs, desires and boundaries as things change.
Employee Retention: It is more critical than ever to retain and develop top talent. We’re going to need extraordinary thinking and performance to help any type of organization not only get through this but become stronger. Clearly this crisis has uncovered the urgent need for business and leaders to adapt, innovate and focus on what is really important. Coaching helps develop people’s leadership strengths and confidence, and is also a proven retention strategy.
Mindset: Coaches help people get unstuck and find a clear path, moving out of fixed patterns or mindsets. Surviving and thriving in this time requires an adaptable brain that can respond with flexibility and creativity, while still being thoughtful and applying logic. Coaching helps people identify so-called 'blind spots' and limiting beliefs and move into a open , growth mindset.
Purpose: Today, people are thinking about purpose and meaning more than ever. Without support with questions of meaning, life/work purpose, and important values, we risk losing the lessons learnt. Coaching can help us powerfully reflect on what we are learning about ourselves.
Embracing Change: Making real change is disruptive to the system, and we need support to make major changes. A Professional Coach can help clients successfully plan, and progress through life and work changes during this chaotic period.
Coaching is an investment that pays strong dividends: The companies and individuals that will be most successful in getting through this time, are those that focus on what is important and the path to get there, maintain aa growth mindset, limit the toxic impact of stress, and continue to be flexible and agile. Coaches drive 2-3x the performance lift for those people who have them. This crisis has the clear potential to make us , as leaders, business owners, and individuals, stronger. Never has this been a better opportunity to take advantage of a professional coach!
Coming Soon : Engaging Your Customer and Employees
Check back soon for an informative podcast on Story Telling and how it can transform your organization's success!