I was honored to speak at the International Coaching Federation’s global conference (aptly called “Converge”) last October when more than 2,000 professional coaches from all over the world gathered virtually to learn, grow, connect and inspire one another. In my capacities as a leadership coach and coach trainer, I often point to the fact that the competencies for both disciplines are essentially the same. Everything the ICF asks of an accredited coach is required of an evolving leader. To appeal to both audiences, I called my talk, “Doing Your Own Work First,” since this is my pitch to students and executives for their maximum impact.
My inspiration for this talk was due to a landmark change in the ICF’s coaching competencies, for the first time in more than 20 years, the addition of ‘Embodies a Coaching Mindset.’
So, what does this mean to you as a coach, a high-potential leader or a conscious human? I took poetic license to tweak the definition to make it germane for all.
Embodying a coaching mindset is to develop and maintain an outlook that is open, curious and flexible.
For the first one, we can connect to the Buddhist Zen tradition of “Beginner’s Mind.” We approach all situations as if our mind is an empty rice bowl. We are completely devoid of judgment, and we are willing to view the situation as a child would, with fresh eyes.
Curiosity is one of the hallmarks of professional coaching and powerful leadership. Decades ago, we used to applaud the best leaders as those with the most expertise. However, impactful leadership has evolved dramatically in the last 20 years. The most powerful leaders now are often those with the best questions — spacious, open-ended and assuming nothing.
Flexibility is the same thing we ask of all stakeholders in the organizational system, whether a coach, client, leader, direct report, customer, etc. In a VUCA (Volatility, Uncertainty, Complexity and Adaptability) world, agility rules the day, and change is the only constant variable.
How do we, as leaders, do the work to do the work?
With so many resources available, the time has never been easier:
- “15 Commitments of Conscious Leadership ~ A New Paradigm for Sustainable Success,” available on Amazon HERE . We assign every leader this wonderful text on authentic leadership as a compendium to our work together.
- Mindfulness – We recommend a consistent mindfulness practice to all of our leaders. Defined by Jon Kabat-Zinn as “paying attention to the present moment, on purpose and without judgment,” this therapeutic technique can take just a few moments a day while paying large dividends. Mindfulness attitudes such as Letting Go, Acceptance, Gratitude and Beginner’s Mind take virtually no time at all yet can create big shifts in awareness.
- Breathing Techniques – Dr. Andrew Weil’s renowned 4-7-8 technique, also known as “relaxing breath,” involves breathing in for four seconds, holding the breath for seven seconds, and exhaling for eight seconds. This breathing pattern aims to reduce anxiety or help people get to sleep. The science behind it is indisputable. Practicing 4-7-8 breathing activates the parasympathetic nervous system, thereby lowering one’s blood pressure and heart rate.
- Ongoing Practice of Challenging One’s Thoughts and Beliefs – This is an Assenter Coaching favorite. It’s a very simple premise: our thoughts shape our beliefs, and our beliefs shape our reality. We can radically alter our outcomes by regularly assessing the thoughts that are supporting us and the ones that are hindering our growth.
- Journaling – Journaling enables us to control our symptoms and improve our mood by helping us prioritize our thoughts, fears and concerns. Tracking day-to-day awareness helps us recognize triggers and learn ways to better control them. Keeping a gratitude journal is a “two-fer,” in that it’s a mindfulness practice in and of itself.
What on this list have you tried? What would you like to add?
In coaching, we believe that baby steps lead to the outcome you desire. Pick one of the above and try it every day for a couple of weeks.
Feel free to keep the conversation going with me.
