General Coaching Info

In the dance of life, the stories we tell ourselves wield significant influence. They sculpt the essence of our reality, shaping our encounters and guiding our decisions profoundly. At the heart of this phenomenon is the self-fulfilling prophecy—a psychological principle highlighting how our self-perceptions and beliefs can ultimately determine our outcomes.

Our mental models and perspectives are like the roadmaps that help us to navigate the world. They help us to make sense of our surroundings and experiences. But what happens when those maps are outdated or incomplete without us realizing this? Imagine using that inadequate map when hiking a vast forest. The path behind you is worn and familiar, while ahead lies an expanse of uncharted territory. In this article, we share Sofia's story, a young woman escaping the limits of her mental models and perspectives. Her journey was filled with uncertainty yet illuminated by the promise of discovery and transformation. Maybe her story will resonate with some of your own experiences.

In a world where there are no guidelines for navigating life, we often find comfort in stories that resonate with our experiences. The unforgettable performance of Nightbirde on "America's Got Talent" in 2021 serves as such a story. Despite her fight against cancer, she went beyond singing a song; she delivered a message: "You don't have to wait until life isn't hard anymore before you decide to be happy." This blog explores the significance behind her words and connects them to the transformative power of coaching. By delving into the complexities of choice, resilience, and the pursuit of happiness, we are reminded that true happiness is less dependent on circumstances and more influenced by our inner decisions and perspectives.

Mistakes, often seen as setbacks, can be powerful tools for growth and self-improvement. From neuroscience insights showing our brain's evolutionary design to learn from errors to leadership strategies that value resilience, it's essential to shift our societal perspective on failure. By fostering a supportive environment and nurturing a growth mindset, we can turn challenges into invaluable learning experiences.

Learning occurs in stages. It takes patience and time to acquire new skills. Gaining proficiency takes practice. The Learning Matrix, also called the Four Stages of Competence, is a four-stage model that can help to understand the different steps involved in learning and where an individual is in his learning journey.

In a recent LinkedIn post, I discussed the concept of "creating more time." One unique method I've tried is cutting back on sleep when needed. Think about starting your day at 3 a.m. and completing tasks before the world wakes up! While this works for me, it might not be for everyone. The key lies not only to start early but also to recognize when to rest. Check out this blog to learn more about balancing productivity with proper rest.

Individuals respond to adversity in different ways. Emotional reactions can range from denial, disappointment, anger, and blame to fear. Regardless of the response, the true challenge lies in countering adversity with resilience, transforming negative experiences into positive ones.

Coaching, mentoring, teaching, counseling, and consulting all share some key characteristics and skills. All these five approaches can enhance performance in a developmental process based on a working relationship. Nonetheless, they are each quite different, and it's essential to be aware of the differences.

As a coach, I often find myself working with clients dealing with setbacks and challenges in their lives. It can be easy to fall into a mindset of despair, hopelessness, and even destruction. But as Bruny's story reminds us, we always have a choice in how we react to adversity.

Belonging is an innate human need deeply woven into the fabric of our existence. When our need for inclusion within a team or cohort is fulfilled, our energy and focus are channeled toward the shared mission. Acknowledging and addressing the fundamental human need of belonging presents a valuable opportunity for any organization or team to foster connection and cultivate a high-performing work environment.

Survivorship Bias refers to drawing conclusions based on a limited set of successful examples while ignoring or overlooking the failures, as their stories are often not shared or acknowledged.

In a perfection-obsessed world, we forget that imperfections are desirable. They make us unique and add personality to our lives. Embracing imperfections builds resilience and fosters connections with others. Let's explore this concept.

Conscious capitalism can be described as a “way of thinking about capitalism and business that better reflects where we are in the human journey, the state of our world today, and the innate potential of business to make a positive impact on the world.”

Curiosity is one of the most powerful tools to help us grow, develop relationships with others, adapt to change, and create innovative solutions. While the literature suggests that we are born with some natural level of curiosity, our life experiences and, paradoxically, our education can make us less curious. The good news perspective is that curiosity is a mental muscle that can be trained like any other muscle.

This month I started a one-year study to become a certified Conscious Capitalism consultant. I have unconsciously embraced this philosophy for a long time but never could put a word to it.

On a daily visit to Starbucks to get my fix of Venti Chai Latte, I observed a disturbing behavior with other customers. As they were waiting at the counter to get their cuppa, most of them had their eyes stuck to their mobile phones. Only a few looked up and said "thank you" when being served by the friendly barista. They acted as if he did not exist, and their phone was more important. 

Whether asking for a raise or negotiating for a salary with a potential employer, talking about money remains difficult for many people. Often this is because they don't realize their worth. The big "ask" is all about timing, confidence, and self-awareness. “Think Big,…….! No, Much Bigger!!”, I often advise my clients, “Think in abundance, beyond limits”. In this blog, I am sharing with you my ten commandments of the art of negotiating for a higher salary.

One of the recurring goals in coaching sessions is to live a happier life. My clients sometimes doubt if happiness exists or if it is a utopia, impossible to attain. The truth is that it exists and is measured all over the world. 

The different parts of the brain are interconnected and communicate through a neural network. Neurons communicate with other neurons through a connection called synapsis. Modern science has proven that "rewiring" neural networks and enhancing neuroplasticity is possible. By helping clients reflect and become more self-aware, we can change internal brain processes and create different neural pathways. 

Have you ever wondered why so many business books have been written about how to negotiate for 'yes' and so few books about how to get to a 'no'? By learning how to say 'no', we can reclaim control over our lives.