I attended a conference earlier this month hosted by the International Coach Federation . Picture a room with hundreds of professional coaches who
dedicate their working lives to bringing out the best in people. Not surprisingly, it was a very affirming experience just to be in their presence! Yet even coaches get stuck and don’t know how to break ingrained patterns of behaviour.
One of the speakers, Robert Keegan, gave a thought provoking talk on the psychological challenges of changing our mindsets. It was fascinating to hear the research on what gets in the way of change and how to establish new patterns in the brain that will open up new ways of doing things.
Have you ever experienced a longing to change something and despite your best efforts, you find yourself continuing to act (or not act) in ways that prevent the very change you so desperately desire?
Keegan’s research shows how our own deeply rooted “hidden agendas” get in the way and sabotage our conscious outward desires. Without understanding the hidden agenda that drives us, no matter how much we desire the change, we keep getting stuck doing things the way we always have done. Sound familiar?
The good news is that by shining light on our own internal thinking patterns, we can begin to shift and discover new ways of thinking, feeling and ultimately doing things differently.
I had a chance to look closely at one of my own internal patterns at the conference. I decided over a year ago that I needed help to handle a growing volume of client work or I would have to start saying no to prospective clients, or worse, get burnt out trying to do too much. It’s a nice problem to have, but it wasn’t an easy one for me to solve. I like being in control and it was one of the main motivators for setting up my practice as a solo operator. Contemplating sharing the workload with others sounded good in theory, and yet I resisted doing anything about it.
As I reflected on my own “hidden agenda”, I noticed a shift happening in my thinking. It was subtle but powerful. I recognized that if I continued to hang on to the old belief that “I like being in control”, I would interfere with my desire to grow and do more of the work I love to do. I had to admit, that if I wanted to grow, I’d have to let go!
It was a good reminder of what I love about coaching and the power it has to transform limited thinking into growth potential. On that note, I’d like to introduce my growing Coaching Team:
Meet the Krakauer Coaching Team
I am delighted to introduce Catherine Chang, CPDC, LL.B., B.Math. Catherine joined the Krakauer coaching team in January on a part-time basis, and is seeing clients on Tuesdays and Fridays. She is primarily working with lawyers and other professionals seeking career coaching and job search support. Catherine has extensive experience helping students and lawyers navigate the legal landscape and chart their individual career paths. She completed her Certified Professional Diversity Coach training this year and brings specialized expertise in advising clients on how to create more inclusive work places.
The coaching team also includes the amazing Victoria Mlynko, ACC, CTP, a certified coach and 
experienced trainer/facilitator with direct work experience in insurance, telecommunications and financial services. She has worked with entrepreneurs, lawyers and educators, and has over 10 years of background in corporate learning and leadership development. As a Career Well Being Coach, one of Victoria’s areas of expertise is managing work-life stress. My own practice will continue to focus primarily on supporting leaders and professionals with personal transformation and career advancement goals, If you are ready to dive deeply into what matters most to you and to do the work required to bring about positive change in your life, contact me for a complimentary coaching conversation!
Visit this link to read more about my coaching approach.
Wishing you
a Happy Passover and Easter Holiday.
What’s New at Krakauer Coaching:
Our team is growing!
I recently brought two Coaching Associates on board to help meet a growing demand for customized coaching. You can learn more about Catherine Chang and Victoria Mlynko here. Together, we offer uniquely designed coaching programs in: career transition, leadership development and personal well-being.
To give you the best coaching experience, we start with a 30 minute complimentary consultation. We will ask what you are looking for from a coach and determine which coach is the best fit.
For more information about our services please contact lianne@krakauer.ca.
Career Workbooks available for purchase.
Whether you are contemplating a change or already in the midst of a job search, these workbooks will assist you with assessing your strengths and gaps, generating different career options, and putting a networking and job search plan into action.
Group Workshops
We are also available for speaking engagements and training. Topics include:
- Coaching Skills for Managers
- Contributing to High Performing Teams
- Learning to Thrive: Managing Work Life Stress
- Understanding and Leveraging Differences
Recommended reading:
Immunity to Change: How to Overcome It and Unlock the Potential in Yourself and Your Organization, by Robert Keegan and Lisa Lahey
Love After Love
The time will come
when, with elation
you will greet yourself arriving at your own door, in your own mirror
and each will smile at the other’s welcome,
and say, sit here. Eat.
You will love again the stranger who was your self.
Give wine. Give bread. Give back your heart
to itself, to the stranger who has loved you
all your life, whom you ignored for another, who knows you by heart.
Take down the love letters from the bookshelf,
the photographs, the desperate notes,
peel your own image from the mirror.
Sit. Feast on your life.
– Derek Walcott
