Toolbox

“Tell me what you want, what you REALLY, REALLY want!” Who knew that the lyrics of a “Spice Girls” song could help new coaches establish and maintain coaching session agreements? Music is a powerful anchor. In my experience, bringing a spin to that song’s wording (along with an easy to remember acronym) can help new …read more.

Most people know about the GROW model of coaching. But from my experience, I have discovered that when handling the coaching process, there are even more steps to ensure the complete process, especially for a relatively new coach.   The T-COACH model is a more complete model, following the ICF Core Competencies. Here are the steps of the process.  T – Trust  One of the most important factors to create a partnership is trust. Coaches who show trust in their client’s abilities and skills, as well as the whole being of the client, will receive trust in return. Creating this trust can start with:  Showing signs …read more.

An accomplished goal is seen as a true measure of success. Setting a clear and smart goal for the coaching process and for each session is one of the core coaching competences. It’s natural for people to visualize success as an upright, vertical effort in which we identify an opportunity, set a goal, find the most efficient route to achieve it and celebrate the triumph (or summarize the lessons we’ve learned). There is however one big disadvantage in that perspective: it takes the shape of a steep climb. And while the view from the top may be worth it, the anxiety of the expected endurance often stops us (and our clients) from even considering “the journey.” Redefining the vertical …read more.

After an introductory mindful minute, my client remained silent. I waited attentively. Eventually, she said, visibly moved: “I had the most extraordinary vision. A being radiant with white light floated in the sky. It was a beautiful presence of light and wisdom. I noticed the beings’ feet did not touch the ground.”  I felt my chest tightening. I remember thinking …read more.

“Your assumptions are your windows on the world. Scrub them off every once in a while, or the light won’t come in.” ― Isaac Asimov Assumptions are everywhere and we use them every day. Our brains are hardwired to assume – it saves energy so that our brain can focus on other areas it deems more important for our survival.  We make …read more.

Design thinking is a human-centered, iterative and powerful approach to problem-solving.  This methodology has been used for decades (some might argue centuries) and was popularized by the global design agency IDEO. Design thinking has been used to develop products, like the Apple mouse, and tackle some of the most complex challenges across climate change, poverty, health care and education.  Companies …read more.