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Effective coaching can play a critical role in boosting employee engagement and increasing overall job satisfaction. A 2015 Gallup poll found that managers have a significant impact on employee engagement, with up to 70% of variance being attributed to managerial skills. Unfortunately, poor management has led 50% of employees to leave their jobs at some point in order to escape their bosses. However, by focusing on coaching and improving managerial skills, employers can create a more supportive and engaging work environment. Coaching has been shown to enhance key skills such as communication, trust-building, problem-solving and feedback, which not only improves employee engagement but also increases retention rates.

I´ve known my whole life that good things are not handed to you on a silver platter. I don’t believe that everything we strive for has to come to us with a huge struggle, either. I believe in grasping the moment, and in chances that life throws in front of us and acting upon them as soon as you can.

            At the beginning of this year, I saw that Mindvalley was holding its conference in Dubai. As I was searching for opportunities to work in the UAE, it seemed like a perfect collaboration with them. I decided to offer them my voice improvisation workshop because our voices are the mirror of our souls. And training our voice in a creative way gives us the opportunity to expand our confidence, presence and imagination. As their lineup was already filled, I was offered to give a lecture at the Mindvalley University in Tallinn in July.

            I was super thrilled, and looking back to the event, it was an amazing journey. My first workshop was welcomed with cheers, and I got so good feedback that Vishen invited me to do another one during the three weeks of the MVU. His parents also attended my impro choir craziness and personally told me they enjoyed every bit of it. After the second session, they invited me to give the third one as well to the University teenagers.

            I have been in the field of improvisation now for more than ten years and have been giving these workshops to all kinds of leaders and teams in Estonia. The Mindvalley audience was a new experience for me as all participants were so open and positive-minded to try out new things, expand and go crazy.

            So what do we do at my workshops? „Weaponise Your Voice“ is a session that gives you tools with what one can improvise freely using his or her voice. All of us have a voice, so that is why this method is universal and doable for every one of us. Rhythm, made-up language, long notes, and jungle voices are just a few of the fun things we put into practice during our session.

            The result is that you learn to love to make mistakes cause living life without them is boring and foregone.

Welcome to a question that can stir the minds and hearts of many: What gets you out of bed in the morning? Is it the burning motivation fueled by dreams and desires? Or is it the robust discipline, an unwavering commitment to a routine that leads you to success? As a coach, this question is fundamental in understanding what drives us and how we can ignite that same passion in those we lead.

A Dance of Two Forces: Motivation and Discipline

Motivation: The Heart's Desire

Motivation is the heartbeat of ambition. That inner voice tells you why you're pursuing your goals. It's the inspiration, the emotional connection to what you're striving for.

Motivation whispers in your ear:

• "You want to make a difference."

• "You want to be the best."

• "You want to overcome and achieve."

It's the passion that makes you feel alive, the dreams that keep you up at night, planning, hoping, and striving.

Discipline: The Mind's Commitment

But while motivation is the why, discipline is the how. It's the alarm clock in the morning, the sweat on your brow, the steady rhythm of consistent effort.

Discipline is what says:

• "You will train, even when it's hard."

• "You will write that plan, even when you're tired."

• "You will persevere, even when you want to quit."

Discipline is the framework, the structure that turns dreams into reality.

The Harmony Between the Two

So which is more important? The heart's desire or the mind's commitment? The truth is one without the other can lead us astray. Motivation without discipline might burn brightly but fade quickly. Discipline without motivation can become a grind, lacking joy and purpose.

We coaches must help our clients find harmony between these two forces. Here's how:

1. Understand the Why: Help them connect with their innermost desires and passions. What is the dream that keeps them going? Knowing this can make the journey meaningful and joyful.

2. Build the How: Create a roadmap, a step-by-step plan. Teach the power of routine, consistency, and commitment. Show how discipline can turn dreams into achievements.

3. Foster Resilience: Teach that failure isn't the end but a learning experience. Encourage persistence and celebrate progress. Show that motivation and discipline together can overcome any obstacle.

4. Inspire and Lead: Be the example and beacon of motivation and discipline. Your enthusiasm, commitment, and guidance can be the catalyst for others to reach their potential.

Is it natural charisma? An innate ability to inspire others?

As it turns out, the key lies in the brain's ability to adapt and change.
This process, called neuroplasticity, has the power to shape and reshape our brains in response to our experiences, learning and environment. Understanding the role of neuroplasticity in leadership can help us tap into our full leadership potential.So how can we leverage the power of neuroplasticity to improve our leadership skills? Here are seven strategies to consider.
·     Seek out leadership challenges and opportunities.
·     Invest in continuous learning.
·     Practice mindfulness. 
·     Embrace a growth mindset. 
·     Get enough sleep.
·     Stay physically active.
·     Nourish your brain with a healthy diet. 
http://bit.ly/3krvNNs

Positive emotions and great experience need to be shared! 
Throughout our 15-month study in Team Coaching with Global Team Coaching Institute (GTCI), I and my amazing co-coach Eugenia Kolomiets have had the honor and fantastic experience of coaching the Microsoft engineering team. 
 
Microsoft Team Lead Viktor Tsykunov had been looking for a team coach, and we had been looking for a real team to be coached. When you wish for something with all your heart (and act accordingly!), things start to happen, and one thing leads to another. Thanks to Anna Podgornaya's reference, we found each other and realized we were a perfect match for the team coaching process.
 
Viktor Tsykunov asked us to start a coaching process with his team in April. As a newly created team in Prague and Seattle, the main goal of the others was to explore his team's identity and improve their visibility and collaboration with stakeholders.
 
Co-coaching the team, we applied the Systemic Team Coaching approach by coaching the team on the internal disciplines, how they work together, and coaching the team in their engagement with their critical stakeholders.
The engineering team develops innovative solutions for internal customers’ needs, and thus the main ideas and principles of Systemic Coaching resonated with them very much:
- What it means to be a Team and be psychologically safe
- Stakeholders’ awareness through their impact and relationship
- The transition from a “high-performing team” to a “value-creating team” with the help of the systemic framework of Five Disciplines
- Creative mixture of Team and Individual coaching activities
- The insightful impact of co-coaching interaction between two coaches for the benefit of expanding the learning.
 
Many thanks to Team Leads for trusting us and all team members for your inquisitive mind, commitment throughout the process, and willingness to contribute to your team's success and development.

Employees want to be heard, valued, and always be progressing; 22 per cent of Millenials are seeking professional development more than any other workplace benefit. Coaching teaches managers the skills they need to support their employees and help them grow.

Culture, at its core, is a way of behaving consistently. Coaching is a great way to actively shape and improve behaviors in your organization. By building a coaching culture in your company, you can actively support your employees to learn new skills and become the sorts of leaders you want in your organization for the long term.

Coaching is grounded in behavioral science and drives real behavioral change. According to the International Coach Federation, coaching improves work performance, team effectiveness, communication skills, time management skills, and more. And "the vast majority of companies (86 per cent) say they at least made their investment [in coaching] back."

The task of a business coach is to get an outside look at the company by working on all the blocking points, but also to accompany the manager or the employees on a behavioral journey, which also has an impact.

Here are the main reasons a coach is invaluable in today's business world.

1. Get a detailed analysis of the company.

2. Work on yourself.

3. Know where you want to go.

4. Focus on the people around you.

5. Take advantage of valuable expertise and experience.

6. Boost profitability.

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1. Touch base early and often.

2. Give balanced feedback.

3. Address growth opportunities.

4. Offer flexibility.

5. Make it a habit.

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Whitney Johnson was named #8 on the Thinkers50 list in 2021 and recently authored Smart Growth: How to Grow Your People to Grow Your Company. 
She has a few tips on how leaders can grow in a way that will help those around them:

Use Loss Aversion Theory
The theory suggests we’re twice as motivated by what we might lose by what we might gain. While it’s never a good thing to only focus on the negatives in life and work, if you need a hand in pushing yourself onto the next big thing, it can be helpful to focus on what you might lose from not pushing forward.

Identify Where You Are In Your Journey
Whitney Johnson refers, in her book Smart Groth refers to the S-Curve of learning:
The bottom of the S. At the outset, starting something new is hard, and you move more slowly. Your predictions are inaccurate, so you don't get dopamine hits. 

The upswing of the S. In the sweet spot of mastering a new skill or workflow, the accuracy of your predictions increases, and your dopamine spikes. 

The top of the S. Once you hit a level of mastery, your predictions are accurate—but there’s a little dopamine because you’re now doing what is easy. Growth is slow. This is where you have an opportunity to start anew and begin a new S Curve. 

Assess where you are on the S Curve and whether you need a new challenge or if growth is waiting just around the corner on the upswing.

Check In With Yourself if You’re Feeling Overwhelmed
At times like this, it can be important to step back and reflect. Ask yourself questions that affirm if you’re at the right point of the climb.

Decide If It’s Time to Move On – Or If You Just Need To Rest
Do you need to move on to a new S-Curve, or do you just need to rest a little bit? Go back to your checklist, the questions you asked yourself. Yes, I like being here. Yes, I enjoy doing it, but I’m exhausted. If that’s the case, don’t start the process over with a new S-Curve, with a new mountain to climb. Just rest where you are on the mountain before moving on.
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Yesterday I was looking for my favourite book on leadership development, couldn't find it and couldn't remember to who I had lent it to. When things go missing in my house, I suspect my daughter automatically :) As it was already quite late, I didn't dare to call her. So I had to wait till morning.
There is a piece of advice: if things around your house keep vanishing and you can't find them, tidy your house, and you will find it. Following this advice this morning, I found my favourite book on leadership development I have enjoyed during the last years and recommended to my clients: The 3DLeader by Terence Mauri.

It's a very practical, well-structured and inspiring must-read piece of writing. It equips you with actions to reimagine how you lead, take your leadership skills to the next level, and encourage you to think Bold, choose Brave and go Beyond.
This book is a good choice if you are thinking about choosing a gift for a good friend who might benefit from it!

Whether you’re stuck in your job, your home or in a relationship, it’s a frustrating and emotionally draining situation. However, even if there are reasons why you can’t change your situation, there are things you can do about your feeling of being stuck. And it’s important that you do so because there are long-term adverse consequences if you don’t.
The feeling of being stuck is a sign that you are suffering from self-limiting beliefs and the belief that you aren’t capable of improving your situation. Getting unstuck requires working through negative thought patterns to achieve not only your goals but also your dreams.
Getting unstuck also requires an understanding that change happens within you and that you are the one who has to effectuate a response to the external factors that are causing your feeling of being stuck. You may not be able to change your environment, but understanding that you have the ability to change the way you respond to and interact with that environment can do wonders for your attitude and mental health. The result can affect your entire outlook on life.

Many of us have forgotten (or even fear) quiet. We live in a world full of noise and chatter. A world wherein our daily routines are inundated with distractions and responsibilities.
When you practice the Sphere of Silence without a break for 21 days, you will likely notice immediate changes in how you perceive the world around you, begin to acquire an intense insight into everything you do, and find a greater sense of balance.
This practice is an investment in yourself. 

We learn a lot; we only forget to put it into practice.
Put into practice what you have learned and what you know, and your wisdom grows.

I happened to find a podcast related to Ben Horowitz' book What You Do Is Who You Are . Having read the book a year ago and being impressed about it, I also recommend the podcast.
It's a journey through culture, from ancient to modern. It answers questions fundamental to any organisation: Who we are? How do people talk about us when we're not around? Are we there for people in a pinch? Who you are is not the values you list on the wall. Who you are is what you do.
https://rb.gy/3jxpu

One of my friends told me that I should reconsider my Instagram profile as an artist, because she does not see my authenticity. I have been picking my brains on how to exactly be more me. More authentic.

And as an answer I came upon a Seth Godin podcast and he said something that clicked with me. "Authenticity is overrated. The last time you were really authentic was when you were a year old with poop in your pants. It only works for rockstars who get to have a meltdown on the stage and it is exciting. Noone wants a cop to punch you in the face as they’re having an authentic bad day."

That is why regardless of your job position you need to have a clear narrative of yourself. People are gonna judge you anyways, so why not make it clear for them on what to judge. So the point is to create the best story of yourself and sell that. 

To be successful, chase your purpose rather than your passion.
New studies show that purpose gives you resilience, and that's what will get you ahead.
Chasing passion makes you less satisfied at work because work is often difficult and draining.

Instead of asking what makes you happy and "following your passion," ask yourself what you care deeply about.
By focusing on purpose, you align your work with your deepest values and also relieve yourself of the expectation that the long slog of a career will be all (or even mostly) happiness and sunshine. 

The Power of External Checks for Professional Growth

You've set ambitious goals, mapped out a plan, and started the journey towards your aspirations. But the pathway to success isn't always smooth; we all face moments of hesitation, self-doubt, and procrastination. In such moments, one critical question emerges: "Who holds you accountable?"

Accountability: It's more than just a buzzword; it's a cornerstone of professional and personal growth. Let's dive into why accountability is crucial and how you can leverage it to stay on track.

The Importance of Accountability

• Enhances Commitment: When someone else knows about your goals, the sheer act of verbalizing them reinforces your commitment.

• Provides Feedback: Regular check-ins provide a platform for feedback, helping you adjust and refine your strategy.

• Boosts Motivation: Knowing someone will check up on you can serve as a motivating force on those tough days.

• Offers Perspective: Sometimes, an external viewpoint can provide insights you hadn't considered.

Here's How You Can Integrate Accountability into Your Professional Life:

• Find an Accountability PartnerColleague or Peer: Someone in a similar role or industry can understand your challenges and provide relevant feedback.

• Mentor: Their experience can offer guidance, wisdom, and perspective.

• Friend: Even if they're in a different field, a friend who knows you well can help ensure you're staying true to yourself.

• Join or Start a Mastermind Group: These are small groups focused on growth and support. Sharing goals, progress, and challenges in such a group can be incredibly enriching.

• Hire a Coach: A professional coach can provide structure, feedback, and techniques tailored to your needs.

• Use Tech Tools: Apps like Trello, Asana, or Habitica can help you track your goals and share progress with others.

• Public Commitment: Sharing your goals on social media or a blog creates a public record, adding an extra layer of motivation to achieve what you've announced.

Overcoming the Fear of Accountability

Some may shy away from external accountability for fear of judgment. Remember, everyone struggles, and everyone has setbacks. External accountability isn't about judgment; it's about support. Find people or tools that foster an environment of positivity, encouragement, and constructive feedback.

Accountability, when embraced, can be a powerful ally in your journey. Whether you choose a partner, group, coach, or tool, the most important step is to take action. Start today, share your goals, and open the door to accelerated growth.