The Importance of Connection

We experience the importance of connection daily—with our significant others, with our families, our friends, our colleagues, our communities, and with those we may encounter rarely or even only once. How do we invite others in? How do we show others we want to connect? We know that we pay attention to body language, facial…

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Coaching is a Creative Process

In this month’s previous article, we looked at Saundra Dalton-Smith’s 7 Types of Rest that impact our happiness, productivity, and fulfillment. One of those she identified is the need for Creative Rest. Admittedly, age, stress, and the demands of life can diminish our creative options so the question becomes – How do we re-awaken our…

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How Do You Feel?

How do you feel? How many times in your life has someone asked you that question? And, how clear were you on articulating how you were feeling? As a child, I’m not certain how I was taught to express my feelings. Sure, I knew to say, “That hurt my feelings.” Or “That makes me mad.”…

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Uncovering the Real Challenge

Much of what is called “coaching” is advising or going for the easy “fix” or solution that seems obvious to the coach. What we continue to learn and be ever more mindful of are the dynamics that are hidden beneath the surface. The very fact that they are hidden makes them invisible both to coach…

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Coaching – Does it Matter? Yes, it Does!

Earlier this month, we offered five key points about what coaching is. Now, let’s look toward why coaching matters. From a research-based perspective and a personal opinion, coaching is an effective growth and support process for businesses and individuals. Personally, I don’t know how people stay motivated and productive in dealing with the challenges of…

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Beneath the Water Line

iceberg

We use the iceberg as a metaphor for actions and behaviors that are seen above the surface, while thinking and emotions often remain beneath the surface—sometimes unseen and unexplored by others or even by ourselves. In thinking about the vast amount of uncertainty we have all experienced during the last two years, the emotions Brené…

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Employ Team Coaching for Sustainable Change

Almost every time we facilitate a Leadership Coaching for High Performance seminar, someone poses the question, “Can we use this with teams as well?” Our answer: “Of course. The same skills apply—the essential skills of committed listening, powerful paraphrasing, presuming positive intent, and reflective feedback.” However, there are some differences between individual coaching and team…

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