This week is International Coaching Week. It’s a global event designed to share the power of coaching to transform individuals, organizations, and the world. This year the theme is “Defying Challenging Times”. 

For those of you who haven’t had the chance to experience coaching yet, let me quickly share what it is and the impact it can have so you value it if it is something worth exploring. 

One of the first confusion people make is to put therapy, coaching and mentoring in the same bucket. When in fact there are relevant differences to have in mind when you are looking for support so you choose what fits best for your situation. 

• Therapy intends to help you understand your now by understanding your past. 
• Mentorship is about absorbing the knowledge and tips of someone who has done the path you want to follow. 
• Coaching is about understanding your now to create your future. 

So which kind of support do you need the most now?

Coaching is a very personal process, as it is about YOU and your inner VOICE. Coaching is about taking the time to deeply listen to you in order to live the life that resonates with you. Coaching is about impact as it helps you make conscious choices that will change your life, your work.

So, what are the things in your life that need change? 

Think of one thing that needs more focus so you keep growing and evolving. 

To celebrate this special week, and for you to have a taste of what’s possible through coaching, I wanted to share some coaching skills that you can try along this week and experience its impact. 

Rely on your intuition

In today’s world it is very easy to ignore your intuition. As there is no obvious evidence to support it, it tends to be hard to explain. However, it is still a very valid piece of information that happens at our unconscious level. 

Intuition comes handy specially in moments you feel stuck and are unclear where to head next. You may have tried several options but still none is bringing the results you hope. However, deep inside you, you know what you should do. So to connect with this knowledge, connect with yourself and review all you know about your stuckness. Feel what comes for you. 

Be curious

Nowadays, a lot of people expect you to know and have answers, especially at work, so in this context why would we need curiosity. However, many times, we think we have the answer but in fact we don’t. We have assumed and wrongly. 

Curiosity is about being open, inviting, spacious, even playful.

Let’s put all our assumptions to the side, ask questions without expectations and let you be surprised. 

Listen deeply, with intention

In our day to day, we listen normally to answer but we don’t listen to understand. 

In coaching, there are 3 levels of listening: 

• Level 1 listening is listening primarily to yourself, or your own thoughts. You could be focusing on any number of things. Maybe you’re thinking about what to say next, and so you are only half-hearing what the other is saying.   
• Level 2 listening is when you are intensely focused on what the other person is saying,with nothing distracting you.  
• Level 3 listening is also entirely focused on the other person, but it is deeper and has more range. You listen beyond just the words. You become aware of body language, the inflections and tone of their voice, their pauses and hesitations. Imagine being tuned into what’s happening in their mind and heart.  

Let’s try today to slow down, be more present and try level 2 or 3 listening. 

You will create more connection and intimacy as the person in front of you will feel seen and understood. 

Design your relationships

This is about bringing intention and consciousness to any of our relationships. We are not taking things for granted, so we design what we call an alliance. 

Designing an alliance helps each person know each other’s intentions, expectations, fears,and actions, so you’re both aligned around how you’ll both “be and do” during your relationship, making you both more empowered and conscious. 

Some of the questions to create an alliance are: 

• What’s needed for the two of us to work together effectively? 
• What might go wrong with us during this project? 
• How are we likely to respond to one another when things go wrong? 
• What do we need from one another to ensure our relationship comes first?   

The alliance can be designed in many contexts, with colleagues at work around a big project, with your partner around buying a house, with your kids before the start of the vacation. It takes 5min and will save you headaches and wrong assumptions. 

With whom will you design an alliance today?

Acknowledge others

Acknowledging others is about drawing attention to the important characteristics of a person so they can focus on continuing to grow that part of themselves.  It focuses on who that person was being and highlights what you see is their inner character and strength so that they feel truly seen. 

An example will sound like this: “For the last month, you’ve invested yourself deeply in this project. I can see how committed you are to the business and our success”.  Be mindful it’s different to praise or compliment which will sound like this: “Great work on your presentation. I loved the results you showed”. Compliments focus more on what people do and how it makes you feel. 

Acknowledging others is a very powerful motivator and booster of confidence. 

So give it without moderation. 

I hope you will try the above skills this week. Be playful with them and start making a difference. When you combine them all, they will help you foster relationships and build connections which are so needed in current times. 

I wish you a great week

To your fulfillment

Sophie

This week, I’ll be offering free sessions to people new to coaching who are seriously considering embarking on this journey and want to get a taste of what’s possible. Book your session here, or pass the offer along to someone you know would benefit.