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Addiction Coaching

Posted on February 11, 2019 by Cathy Liska

By Patrick Bailey,http://patrickbaileys.com

Those who suffer from addiction look for someone who can support them and guide them. They want  someone who knows how to pull out and use their strengths to help them overcome addiction. That is exactly what a trained addiction coach does. With addiction coaching, the addict is able to learn how to more easily manage things and make better choices for their life. The addiction coach helps the addict to move out of the self-destructive mode and into proactively choosing, sothey achieve healthy goals in their life.  An example follows.

Addiction Coaching

Client Scenario: I have been addicted to drugs for 8 years. There have been times when I have tried to quit and went back to using within days. I am not sure what I can do. My loved ones are telling me they only want to see me get better. How can I stop using drugs and get clean once and for all?

Using what is learned in coach training, questions an addiction coach may ask their clients are:

  1. How have you tried to get clean before?
  2. What is the longest time you have stayed clean?
  3. What kind of people do you spend your time with?
  4. What types of thoughts do you generally focus on?
  5. What specific goal(s) will you meet once you get clean?
  6. What internal motivations do you have to help you get clean?
  7. What is your support system?
  8. How do you feel about treatment for your addiction?
  9. How do you feel about addiction recovery meetings?
  10. What do you see as your main strengths?
  11. What advice do you have for someone in your position?
  12. What will work for you?

When an addiction coach has experience with addiction and has completed coaching certification, they are prepared to effectively serve their clients to create meaningful change for the long term.

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Book Review of: Be a Project Motivator – The Secrets of Strengths-Based Project Management

Posted on February 7, 2019 by Cathy Liska

by Ruth Pearce

Ruth Pearce

This book addresses how the role of the project manager is perceived, an analysis of project manager strengths and the implications plus application, building engagement, influence, appreciation, social intelligence, communication, and motivation.

 

The chapters of the book include:

Introduction

  • What is a Project Manager?
  • How Engagement and Motivation Make Things Happen!
  • What is Strengths-Based Project Management?
  • Who are you – my reader?

CHAPTER 1

  • Project Managers – More Than Just Plate Spinners and Ball Jugglers
  • Implementing the Platinum Rule – Treating People as They Want to be Treated
  • What You Can Do to Put Your Projects in the Successful Category
  • The Magic of Engagement
  • Project Manager Character Strengths

CHAPTER 2

  • Seeing is Believing: The Maggie Method

Chapter 3

  • Influence – the Project Motivator’s Best Friend
  • Authority or Influence – Where is the Power?
  • Building Your Ripple
  • On Your Mark, Get Set, Grow
  • Be Creative and Persevere – Working in a Failure Intolerant Environment
  • The Link to Creativity and Engagement
  • What we Appreciate Appreciates!

Chapter 4

  • Building a Culture of Appreciation
  • The Heart of Engagement – Appreciation
  • Building Appreciation
  • Understanding Character Strengths
  • Building Your Strengths

Chapter 5

  • Building a Culture of Appreciation for Our Stakeholders and Teams
  • Project Management and Leadership
  • Next Steps with Character Strengths – The Story Continues
  • Introducing Character Strengths to the Team
  • Building Strengths Awareness in the Team
  • Taking Strengths to Your Team

Chapter 6

  • When Strengths Go Wrong
  • Social Intelligence – the Elusive Project Motivator Strength
  • Platinum Rule Revisited – Strengths Overuse & Underuse by Individuals
  • Learning to Spot Strengths Overuse – And to Fix It
  • Exploring the Team’s Heart and Mind Through Character Strengths
  • When Strengths Collide – in the Individual
  • When Strengths Collide – in the Team

Chapter 7

  • When Other Things Go Wrong
  • “A goal without a plan is just a wish” – How to Plan with Mixed Styles
  • Building a Multi-faceted Communication Plan
  • Learning Styles – “It is not the Notes I Take… It is the Taking of the Notes”
  • The Foundation of Conflict Avoidance – Communication as Connection

Chapter 8

  • Completing the Circle – To Be a Project Motivator
  • Be Hopeful
  • Be Strong
  • Be Brave by Being Vulnerable – Building Influence and Trust
  • Be Curious
  • Motivate!

Chapter 9

  • Creating the Implementation Plan

The Good:

The book is build on research and experience plus includes specific stories or examples.  The stories or examples apply the concepts in the real world and keep reading interesting.  The analysis of what is happening in the story supports project managers in upgrading their work.

With each chapter a list of learning points is included at the start.  At the end are questions for reflection to make the information stick along with strategies for success specific to project managers’ strengths.

At the end is a table for planning your implementation of the information.

The Bad:

It incorporates many levels of awareness and multi-faceted implementation which means that while some will take a key concept or two and be happy with the outcome, to really gain the full benefit calls for a dedicated effort.

Conclusion:

If you are a career project manager, both your impact and your success will be enhanced exponentially with the insight and tips from this book.  Invest the time and energy to work through all of it!

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Graduates – Be a Published Author

Posted on February 4, 2019 by Cathy Liska

Join CCC and author a chapter for the Coaching Perspectives book published once a year.    

Coaching Perspectives

Be a published author!  Each year the Center for Coaching Certification publishes a book in the Coaching Perspectives series.  The chapters are written by graduates of the coaching certification programs.

What are the benefits?

  • Learn to write for publication
  • Earn credibility as a published author
  • Develop content you can repurpose
  • Get feedback on your writing

What are the parameters?

  • Each chapter is 3500 to 4500 words
  • Each author has a one-page bio
  • A Word document that is pre-formatted along with additional formatting information is provided
  • On the copyright page full rights to the individual chapter are granted back to the individual author

How does it work?

  • Choose a topic relevant to your work as a coach and/or for your ideal client
  • Email your idea to be included on the team
  • All authors are organized into teams to review and provide feedback on the writing to each other on a schedule
  • Your first draft is sent May 15

To participate, submit a working title and key teaching points for a chapter.  Use the provided template formatted for the book and start working on your draft!

For 2019, ninth edition of Coaching Perspectives, send an email expressing interest to Cathy@CoachCert.com.

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The Way We Speak Matters!

Posted on January 31, 2019 by Cathy Liska

By Chārutā AhMaiua 

Chārutā AhMaiua

Are you ready to create and live a life you love? Language is a critical way in which we connect with others, express our internal thoughts, and manifest what it is we desire in the world. Language shapes consciousness and therefore has the power to shape society.  Most of us as coaches already know this.  Many of us practice positive, proactive language in our coaching professions as well as in our everyday lives.  We have tools to speak positively about ourselves and others, tools to guide our clients out of the past and into the forward momentum of the present and future, and many other helpful tools regarding affirming language.  That said, what is different in this chapter?

The difference is in the common and subtle misuse of language I call Limited Language Patterns that even the most well-intended, well-known, highly experienced and successful coaches, health care professionals, and spiritual leaders use regularly.  This is language which undermines transformation, manifestation, and one’s ability to feel whole and complete.  Some Limited Language Patterns are so commonly used by leaders in our industry and others that their limiting or confusing effects are often unnoticed, ignored, or worse, are reinforced as a positive way to speak about oneself, others, or the world.

My chapter in Coaching Perspectives VIII, The Way We Speak Matters, categorizes common Limited Language Patterns and explains how they are limiting.  It offers guidance and suggestions for how transform Limited Language Patterns into what I call Power Language instead.  While this shift in language may seem subtle, the outcomes are incredible.  I invite the reader to explore and experiment.

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Perfectly Poised to Prosper

Posted on January 28, 2019 by Cathy Liska

By Renee Hutcherson Lucier 

Renee Hutcherson Lucier

My friend…

How will you respond when I tell you that at this very moment ALL of the insight, resources, and ability you want to get thru, over, and around whatever obstacle or circumstance you are facing is ALREADY within you? Sages, intellectuals, and great philosophers have stated this throughout the ages.  And, what’s more, scientists today have even proven these statements to be absolutely true.  So, go ahead.  BELIEVE.

WHAT will you do with this belief?

In my own life, I have had the amazing ability to obtain incredible insight into the perplexities of life and the human condition.  Oftentimes, my unbelievable path crosses others on their life journey who have very different experiences than I do – of course this is to be expected.  I am amazed to learn, nonetheless, how similar the lessons are for so many.  Because I am the second child of parents who made sure their firstborn understood each and every life lesson, with a love tap to institute consequences, I fully embrace listening, learning, and leaning into glorious wisdom from the third-person perspective.  I collect juicy tidbits, squeezing every drop out of each wonderfully precious fruit that comes my way.  In our lifetime, there is so much to learn; do you agree?  We are truly fortunate to have the opportunity to acquire knowledge from many others who were captivated with the then implications of what they learned, and also sent the wisdom forward to positively impact future generations.

Your belief, my friend, of whatever strength, ideally will compel you to lean in, sharpen your sword, and fully employ wisdom.  I challenge you to imbibe awareness as if it is juice from the sweetest fruit.  Invite perception to wholly saturate your being, improve your personal circumstances, and catapult you into the greater responsibility you then have to the world.  Those who walked before you answered that call.  I entrust you with that same responsibility.  It is what we, who are walking in KNOWING, can do.

As I validate in my chapter in Coaching Perspectives VIII, you are Perfectly Poised to Prosper.  Already.  I encourage you to read it.  Then share your thoughts with me on social media.  I am everywhere you are!

in Quintessence,

Renee

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True Change at 180 Degrees

Posted on January 24, 2019 by Cathy Liska

By Kristen Hess-Winters 

Kristen Hess-Winters

In Coaching Perspectives VIII, my chapter True Change at 180 Degrees discusses the process and steps to truly changing your life at 180 degrees so that you start down a new path of success, satisfaction, and deliberate, thought out choices.

Doing a complete about-face is challenging and also so empowering when you discover the positive outcome.  When we talk about change, we talk about permanency.  It includes choices that permanently change your thinking, your path, and become your new habit.  Are the choices you are making now having a positive or negative impact on your goals?  Do you feel you want to go on a different path, and are unsure how to get yourself turned around?  The key will be to make small changes to start.  Those small changes will lead to big changes overall.  Remember that what you do now will impact your future and that is decided by YOU!

I once read that the greatest freedom you have in life is the freedom of choice.  Even in the face of a challenged childhood or circumstances in life, you have the choice of who and what you will be in your life.  You have the ability to rise above your negative experiences and make them part of you in a good way!  When we experience tough things in life, we learn that we have the ability to rise above it and grow beyond it.

Finding your truth and living in it, then finding your path and walking it will ultimately be the key to your desire, ability, and willingness to change.

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An Authenticity Guide for the New Coach

Posted on January 21, 2019 by Cathy Liska

By Necie Black 

Necie Black

Hey coach! Have you ever found yourself thinking that you knew exactly what a client needed to do to solve their issue?  Or, if they’d just do this (or that) in their life, business or relationship would flow so much smoother?  If you have, then congratulations; you’re human.  For most beginning coaches, it’s normal to feel our expertise or relatable experience gives us the right to offer what we think are perfect solutions for a client’s need.  Perhaps we have good insights, and at the same time giving solutions is not what coaching involves so we must deliver ourselves from the fix-itmentality.

As a new coach, I struggled with a fix-itmentality.  I wanted to do a great job for my client.  I wanted to be perceived as the expert.  I wanted to be known as the coach who got results.  The operative word overall was I, and “I” had to learn to be comfortable and confident in my skills without trying to perform for my client.  This is why authenticity is an important foundation for coaching.  While we may have expert credentials, the client is the expert of their own life and when a coach shows up open and authentic, it’s releases the pressure to focus on our performance.  Whew!  Isn’t that a relief?

Read more in my chapter in Coaching Perspectives VIII, An Authenticity Guide for the New Coach.

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Coaching a Dysfunctional Team

Posted on January 17, 2019 by Cathy Liska

by Rachel Coucoulas  

Rachel Coucoulas

Many of us have worked within a team environment and I am guessing that at some point you experienced some sort of dysfunction within the team or group.  When this happened to me, I was unaware of how coaching serves to make such an impactful difference with an entire branch office.

There are a number of dysfunctional traits and I highlight those found within the team I was working with and discuss the positive coaching process that brought us to a more collaborative team.  In general, the team functioned independently and what I wanted was something like this: three circles coming together for a common good:

What was I to do?  Start Coaching.

As we went through the process for each member of the team, I started to see a change in the way they were acting towards one another.  As we talked through what worked well, individuals started supporting and identifying all the positive things.  When we then asked what to change, it was about identifying how the other teammates could have helped.  They were actually offering their assistance and knowledge to each other.  They were realizing the importance of every member of the team.

What I learned through this exercise and am so happy to share with you is: when employees take ownership, they are empowered.  When they are clearly held accountable to responsibilities and goals, they feel accomplished.  When people are empowered and feel accomplished, they are successful.

Read my chapter in Coaching Perspectives VIII to learn more about Coaching a Dysfunctional Team.

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Trauma Coaching: A New Perspective

Posted on January 14, 2019 by Cathy Liska

by Melissa Tyler Todd 

Melissa Tyler Todd

In the last few decades, the scope of how individuals deal with challenges in their lives has been changing.  Traditionally, individuals sought a mental health counselor to work through trauma that was causing distress.  Often, this was helpful in the interim.  At the same time, with too much frequency, they found themselves back in the same predicament.  Often individuals learn to cope, and at the same time coping falls short of experiencing life to the fullest.

Trauma coaching empowers the individual with a knowledge base and provides the individual with workable skills that give them an opportunity to learn to experience life again.  Trauma coaching provides the support for individuals to venture out and learn to trust their surroundings and the people in it.  Also, trauma coaching provides simple and realistic strategies to help individuals deal with ongoing issues that might come up.  Individuals are empowered to feel safe and secure embarking on a new path and learning to live and enjoy life after trauma.

The desire is to again achieve the state of emotional safety that was felt before the trauma occurred.

Thankfully, current research has shown that effects of the traumas can be worked through.  It has been noted in several research studies that the trauma can be a precursor to the opportunity for people to experience increased confidence, deeper levels of love and intimacy, and a strong sense of purpose and meaning.  It is now known that traumatic experiences only define a person or their future if it is allowed; instead trauma can create an opportunity to thrive.

In the mid-1990s, Richard G. Tedeschi and Lawrence G. Calhoun, two well-known psychologists at University of North Carolina, coined the term post-traumatic growth.

Credentialed coaches must demonstrate the ability to focus on the client showing individual attention and respect for them and their current position, ask powerful coaching questions, actively listen, develop trust and intimacy, and co-create the coaching relationship. 

Read my chapter in Coaching Perspectives VIII to learn more about Trauma Coaching.

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The Culturally Competent Coach

Posted on January 10, 2019 by Cathy Liska

by Wilhelmina Parker 

Wilhelmina Parker

My name is Wilhelmina Parker and I thank you for  reading my blog.  I am a lifelong learner  and certified coach who believes in living life with GRIT where “GRIT” stands for:

Working:

Generously

Reading Intelligently

Innovating  Wisely

Teaching  Integrity

I invite you to check out my chapter in the book Coaching Perspectives VIII, The Culturally  Competent Coach.  Explore applying cultural humility in the practice of coaching in a variety of environments: public, private, and non-profit sectors.  You will enjoy practical  aspects of how my own life lessons led me to the journey of utilizing an equity and inclusion lens in the life work of coaching.

I was born and raised in Ghana, West Africa until I turned 20.  As an ebony-skinned, privileged young woman growing up in Africa, I learned about fairness, equality, integrity, and success as a reward for putting in the work.  My father did that, with great success, and he died an incredibly powerful example of an African Pioneer.  He came from poverty and rose to great heights.

In my chapter, you will see how I choose to courageously use my strengths and talents to intelligently challenge sacred cows so that I may powerfully empower self and others, embrace allies who speak shared truth, and participate as a part of a wakened humanity who may together discover pathways that empower us, our networks, our relationships, and our sphere of influence.

This chapter in Coaching Perspectives VIII will be useful in providing helpful tips for managers and supervisors, internal Human Resources practitioners, and/or for the lay reader interested in learning more about leading humbly from the heart in healing focused dialogue.

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