Washing one’s hands of the conflict between the powerful and the powerless means toside with the powerful, not to be neutral. — Paulo Freire 

The term “social conditioning” refers to the ways individuals are taught what is acceptable in social situations. For example, we are taught early on in school not to shout out an answer. Through both negative and positive reinforcement, students learn to raise their hands and wait to be called on before speaking in class. This mini-lesson is transferred from the classroom into other aspects of our lives—in situations where we see something happening that we don’t agree with yet hesitate before sharing our thoughts, or wonder if anyone cares what we have to say about a situation that may not be “any of our business.”… Read more

I think we have to own the fears that we have of each other, and then, in some practical way, some daily way, figure out how to see people differently than the way we were brought up to. — Alice Walker

As coaches, we co-create a relationship with our clients that invites their authenticity, discovery, aliveness, alignment with core values and courageous action. This is not always so straightforward with people from outside of mainstream cultures who have learned to hold back parts of themselves in order to make it in the world. We can call forth those hidden parts by building trust, creating open, vulnerable partnerships and by giving and inviting authenticity.… Read more

Love is what we are born with. Fear is what we learn. The spiritual journey is the unlearning of fear and prejudices and the acceptance of love back in our hearts. Love is the essential reality and our purpose on earth. To be consciously aware of it, to experience love in ourselves and others, is the meaning of life. Meaning does not lie in things. Meaning lies in us. — Marianne Williamson

Privilege has been described as “unearned rights, benefits, immunity and favours that are bestowed on individuals and groups solely on the basis of their race, culture, religion, gender, sexual orientation, physical ability or other key characteristic.”1… Read more

Although a few people have the initiative and support they need to take themselves to the top of their game, most people need a lot of help. A coaching culture empowers authentic, strong leadership at all levels of the organization. Whether an organization uses external or internal professional coaches, or develops peer coaching relationships within the organization, a coaching culture helps people bring their heart and soul to work.

Coaches hold people accountable for the actions they say are important to them. Organizations that establish coaching cultures encourage 360º connections where people seek out coaching relationships in all directions. They proactively coach their peers, direct reports, bosses, customers and even family members.… Read more

Spirit is like a mega support system. This perspective meshes with the view that we each have a soul imperative in this world. We can see spirit as whatever we lean on as our connection to oneness. It might be helpful to consider spirituality as a relationship with spirit (or the universe, or the higher purpose, or God—however your clients view it). For Lily, the earth itself is the place she leans into to notice and understand her place in the oneness. For Raji, leaning on Ganesh to remove obstacles brings him into a state of awe and wonder. The understanding of spirit will be different for each of our clients, and part of our job is to hold that unique view for each of them.… Read more

Often, clients come to us without an understanding of working in the area of soul. In modern cultures, there is a bias against nature and our own wildness, which leads many clients to an over­emphasis on the realm of spirit. “Take me toward the light” is a cry often heard. As coaches, we want to help clients move both toward the core of their individuality as well as to the realm of their oneness with all.

How exactly do we move clients closer to the core of their individuality? It begins with an acceptance and ease with where they are, balanced with fiercely calling them to what we see is possible.… Read more

EMBODYING AND EMBEDDING A COACHING CONSCIOUSNESS FOR THE CHILDREN OF THE WORLD

Zoom into an after-school learning center AURA in a small town, Vadodara, in Gujarat, India, where a group of 15 children are learning about heroism. Rahul, age 8, has just disrupted the class for the third time—this time by spilling water on the floor. The teacher, Priti, is experiencing distress and is tempted to give the child a grim warning. She pauses and takes a breath—she gets in touch with her inner distress and silently acknowledges her need for order and cooperation. She touches her yearning to contribute to how her children learn and connect with each other in her classroom.… Read more

It’s magical. That’s how Ivy Woolf Turk and Cheryl Paley both describe the work they are doing with The Blackbird Project at WPA, the program they co-founded and administer at The Women’s Prison Association in New York City. The Blackbird Project combines coaching and arts-based intervention to promote well-being for women who are either currently involved in the criminal justice system or homeless. But the magic really started when the two met by chance at a writing workshop that Cheryl was teaching. Both of them were facing significant struggles—after serving almost four years of incarceration, Ivy was struggling to make it back into the workforce and Cheryl was facing sudden unemployment, family and health challenges.

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Mary, a woman in her late 30’s, came to coaching with the goal of mastering the ups and downs, the powerful inner currents, that seemed to sweep over her and gain control of her thoughts, feelings and actions. Over the course of our work together, we came to know these inner currents as inner parts, or personalities. There was a crippled school girl, a hard-nosed sergeant, a Buddha, a highly charged wild part, a lusty irresponsible sexual part, among many others. Mary dialogued with each of these parts as they presented themselves and got to know how they hijacked her and what they needed.

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Some days I can feel it. A nasty, physical, emotional and even spiritual feeling of isolation. A thundering silence that surrounds me. A lack of energy that entails passivism – therefore more silence, and an overwhelming feeling of pure isolation. It’s as if I’m alone in this strenuous journey towards a more sustainable society; whatever that might be… Then a day goes by. The phone is ringing again, emails are flowing, friends & colleagues are reaching out and the energy is back. The journey seems effortless once again, “sustainable and thriving society” has a clear meaning to me and I feel blessed for being engaged with so many other human beings.

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