Professional Coaching Supports Conscious Values in the Workplace by Mary Ellen Ott -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

  Although mankind is comprised of individuals called human “beings,” much more attention is generally given to “doing” than being. It seems that most people tend to view themselves in terms of their actions instead of their essence, and one of the most powerful influences on self-image is career choice.

    Oftentimes people become consumed by their careers at the expense of other areas of their lives. Frequently, due to the many demanding roles they play, people can lose their sense of balance. Attention must be given to self-nurturance in order to create an overall sense of well-being and truly restore balance.

    Coaching, a relatively new profession, offers support to individuals, as well as businesses, in their efforts to cope with the complexities of modern-day living. Coaches often refer to themselves by various titles, but there are four basic categories. Executive coaches specialize in working with those who occupy the highest positions within a company. Business coaches address professional issues and job performance. Career coaches assist those who are in transition from one field to another, looking for a new position or career or returning to the job market. Life coaches assist people in making positive growth in all areas of their lives both personally and professionally. All of these coaches help their clients improve the quality of their lives, which invariably extends to the workplace whether career is an immediate area of focus or not. Positive change in one area helps improve and maintain a cognizance of values and actions in other areas as well.

    Wayne Dyer, famous author and lecturer in the self-help movement, addressed the issue of conscious values in the workplace in an interview by Jane Lister Reis in the August 1998 issue of Evergreen Monthly, a free holistic-living magazine distributed in Seattle. In the interview, titled “Surrendering the Little Mind to the Big Mind,” Dyer stated, “People choose to make work intense. Work itself is not intense. I'd like to help people realize that it's stressful thinking that creates stress. You can bring this kind of loving consciousness to the workplace if you don't believe that the workplace is something that is affecting you, but the other way around.”

    During the interview Dyer also stated that people should see themselves as capable of affecting the consciousness of the workplace positively by shifting their attention away from the way things are and holding onto the vision of the (positive) way they want things to be. Furthermore, people should act as if that vision has already been manifested. By doing so, a positive energy field is radiated and individuals become agents of change. An alternative, of course, is to remove oneself from the negativity.

    In order to be up to the task of radiating positive, loving energy in the workplace, a person needs to work on strengthening his/her own reserves by attending to the health and wellness of mind, body and spirit. A person can only give away that which he or she possesses. Healthy self-nurturance has a positive impact on all areas of life, including work.

    Hiring a coach has become an increasingly popular option for working professionals. Coaching focuses on a synergistic relationship between a coach and a client, which is distinct from other more traditional, linear support systems such as mentoring, counseling, training, managing or consulting. The coach/client relationship is based on mutual respect and trust so that the innate beauty and strength of the client emerges. The client is viewed by the coach as the expert in the relationship, considered capable, creative and whole. It is the coach's role to assist the client in clarifying his/her values and goals, action steps and resources. Potential obstacles are identified and solutions are discovered. A coach challenges beliefs that are limiting to the client, asks a lot of questions and provides feedback in order to provide encouragement and motivation. Coaching also focuses on the present moment while fostering future success.

    As an example, life coaches in particular may focus on the health and wellness of their clients. Many clients, especially busy working professionals, need help in this area because health issues too often are under-prioritized or ignored. A life coach will work with a client to set goals and formulate action plans specific to diet, exercise and stress reduction. Some highly successful people often are so driven that they simply must attend to their need for fun, recreation, rest and relaxation. Others may choose to focus on wellness by attending to their personal growth, spiritual development, home and office environment, finances, relationships or romance.

    By taking care of themselves first, working professionals become stronger and better able to serve others in the unique roles they play in both their careers and personal lives. Balanced, healthy, satisfied individuals are more motivated and productive individuals who believe in their ability to not only maintain conscious values in the workplace, but to positively influence the workplace as well. Coaching provides a viable means to achieve one's goals in all areas of life and radiate positive energy into the workplace and beyond.

Mary Ellen Ott is an educator, writer, Registered Corporate Coach and Holistic Life Coach. She is the owner and founder of Nurture U, an online resource for life-coaching services and wellness information. For more information, please visit her website at www.NurtureU.com, e-mail her at NurtureU@comcast.net or call her at (440) 933-5892.