The HEART in Coaching With HEART is an acronym standing for Habits Engagement Alignment Resilience and Trust
Coaching with HEART, focuses on equipping leaders to manage adversity with character and resilience to grow stronger in the face of constant change, and if they don’t grow stronger, they can remain confused, lost or stuck where they are. HEART is an acronym which stands for Habits Engagement Alignment Resilience Trust. HEART are the things which come up most often in conversations and when working with leaders, teams and organizations. This post will primarily and briefly talk about how I use the term “thinking partner” with my clients to help them get to the HEART of the matter.
When leaders build new connections, clarifying thoughts, beliefs and expand their thinking, transformation begins.
Deb Olejownik
Early in the beginning of my coaching career, HEART meant Holistic Empowered Anchored Restored Transformed as it relates to wellbeing and still does today. Leaders at times look externally for holistic ways of relieving stress, burnout, and mental clutter. I help them uncover the holistic magic they have within themselves to manage stress, burnout and mental clutter.
Leaders want to be empowered by something that brings meaning to their life; this meaning can only come from within.
When they find that “something”, it becomes an anchor, which is a mainstay or pillar of support. Leaders begin to restore themselves with new ideals developed from the first three actions of HEART; holistic ways of uncovering the magic they have within, empowered by something from within that brings meaning to their life, and anchored in support which is often found externally as well as internally. The last is transformation; when leaders build new connections, clarifying thoughts, beliefs and expanding their thinking, transformation begins.
At first, Holistic was a great primary focus as it was about wellbeing; as it remains today. However, as the coaching business grew, more opportunities arose to expand HEART into other areas leaders were interested in exploring. Those areas were exposed through conversations, research, and experiences.
I am your thinking partner…
As I continued to develop into my career as a coach, I discovered the value of being my clients thinking partner. Rather than coaching the problem, I coach the person. I don’t think for them; instead, I help them see the pieces of their story and question what’s missing. Leaders do not want advice; they want a coach who will be their thinking partner; helping them uncover answers from within.
Coaching With HEART focuses on equipping leaders to manage adversity with character and resilience to grow stronger in the face of constant change, and if they don’t grow stronger, they may remain confused, lost, or stuck where they are.”
dEB oLEJOWNIK
Leaders get STUCK in old habits
In my curiosity and reflection amid conversations with leaders I discovered some leaders are confused or lost on the path they are following, or at times they get stuck in old Habits. Old habits can consist of focusing on weaknesses; they may be quick to criticize, or micromanage their teams. When leaders focus on weaknesses it takes them away from what they are good at, what distinguishes them from other leaders.
Loud public criticism kills enthusiasm and engagement like nothing else, leaving others with anger, fear, and resentment. Micro-managing limits leaders scope of control to the number of people under their leadership. Once old habits are addressed, new habits can be discovered, applied, tracked, and re-evaluated for positive change.
According to Reynolds, M., (2020) what are the stories you tell yourself? Have you ever examined the stories you tell yourself? If the answer is no, it becomes clear why your habits and your life does not change. Your stories must be in alignment with your values and beliefs, if not it creates internal conflict.
Deb Olejownik
Alignment is essential, when leaders maintain a three-hundred-and-sixty-degree approach to communication it saves them time and energy professionally and personally. When the communication pipeline is out of alignment conversations begin to slow or stop altogether. For true alignment to exist leaders must demonstrate an openness to ideas and concerns from their teams. When leaders express their passion, their teams see, feel, think and become more committed especially when the reasoning behind the passion or idea is shared. Alignment is a building block for resilience.
In my next blog I will talk more about resilience and trust.
CONCLUSION
HEART is an acronym which stands for Habits Engagement Alignment Resilience Trust. HEART are the things which come up most often in conversations and when working with leaders, teams and organizations. I am my clients thinking partner, I coach the person not the problem.
Do you want to make a change but have found yourself stuck? Have you ever examined the stories you tell yourself? If the answer is no it could explain why your habits and life does not change.
I am interested in reading your comments. Please share this post with your friends. If you would like to talk more about a thinking partner, schedule a time to chat.
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