Relationship Matters

In Part-1 of Ghosts, Faith Fuller is talking about Ghost roles. Ghost roles are invisible third-party presences that come and go and impact the emotional field. A ghost role is present when something is clearly affecting the relationship, yet isn’t talked about, and may not even be conscious to the people in the system. Ghosts arise from our experiences in previous relationships, both personal and professional. They may be people, or they may be events and they can both negatively and positively influence our lives.In this episode, Faith talks about becoming aware of ghosts, working with ghosts and potentially turning them into allies.

In the first episode of season 2, Marita Fridjhon introduces the 5 principles of Relationship Systems Intelligence (RSI). RSI has five key principles which shape what we believe, how we engage, and the “place from which we come.” These principles underpin all of our relationships and are, therefore, fundamental to everything we do as coaches, leaders and human beings. Understanding and engaging in these principles can help us to better access and apply Relationship Systems Intelligence, with our clients, our teams, and with our families. Principle #1 Each Relationship System has its own unique identity (referred to by Marita as the 3rd entity). Principle #2 Every Member of a Relationship System Is a Voice of the System Principle #3 Relationship Systems Are Naturally Intelligent, Generative and Creative Principle #4 Relationship Systems Rely on Roles for their Organization and Execution of functions. Roles belong to the system, not to the individuals that inhabit the system Principle #5 Relationship Systems Are In a Constant State of Emergence, always in the process of expressing their potential

In the Season 1 finale, Marita Fridjhon and Katie Churchman are talking about meeting the system. How can we make sure we are meeting the people in front us, as they are in the present moment? When we’re coaching, it can be all too easy to presume we know who we’re talking to – particularly when it comes to longer-term coaching engagements. So each and every time we meet a system, how can we try to see it with brand new eyes? So that our preconceptions and past experiences don’t cloud our vision of what’s really there?

In this episode, Faith Fuller and Katie Churchman are discussing ways we can integrate Organizational Relationship Systems Coaching (otherwise known as ORSC) into our work and into our lives. If you already have an established coaching or consultancy practice, how might you benefit from ORSC? And how can you seamlessly blend ORSC into what you’re already doing?

In this episode, Marita Fridjhon and Katie Churchman talk about collective leadership. Many of us attribute the idea of ‘leadership’ to a particular person or a team of ‘leaders.' However, as Marita explains in this podcast, leadership can also be viewed as a role that belongs to the system. When we embrace this idea we start to see that inspired leadership can show up in the most unlikely places and from the most unlikely people. What would your team or family dynamic be like if there was more of a sense of shared responsibility around the idea of ‘leadership’? As opposed to belonging one person, can this be a role that we share?

In this episode, Faith Fuller is talking about setting a coaching agenda. Establishing a clear agenda at the start of a coaching session is incredibly important because it sets expectations and also influences the relationship between coach and client.  It’s a powerful tool that can set the tone for everything else to follow. But it can also be the coaching session in of itself. As Faith explains- the agenda doesn’t have to be something we rush to ‘get done’ at the beginning of the session.When a client doesn’t know what they want or brings a really broad or vague ‘goal’ to a session how can we help them to get more clarity around their wants and needs?

In this episode, Marita Fridjhon and Katie Churchman are talking about reading and working with the emotional field, which is a key element of systems coaching. By closely tracking shifts in the emotional field we can start to reflect back and possibly shape the emotional climate in a given situation.You can think of it like an immediate weather report of what is happening emotionally in this moment. And just like a weather report, it’s not exact. There might be a 69% chance of rain, just in the same way you sense some awkwardness in the field. It’s subjective, ever-changing and can provide us with a lot of information. Alongside the emotional field, they discuss Metaskills, conscious intentionality, self-awareness and the intelligence of the body.

In this episode, Faith Fuller is talking about what makes systems coaching different. What are the crossovers between pure coaching and consultancy and what is unique about systems coaching? What do we do? Why do we do it? And how does it help our clients?Over the course of this conversation we discuss the following topics:The differences between therapy and coachingThe differences between pure coaching and systems coachingBlending consultancy and coachingGiving our clients the tools to change their lives.RSI-White-Paper: An Introduction to Relationship Systems Intelligence

In this episode, Marita Frijdhon is talking about system inspired leadership and why it is needed now more than ever.  As we say in systems coaching, ‘the whole is greater than the sum of its parts’ and by utilizing this intelligence, teams of all shapes and sizes may find that they not only survive- but thrive- through challenging times. Instead of focusing on the individual mountain that we have to climb, let’s connect with the team around us, and consider what we can do together- today- to create positive change. Key takeaways from the episode: A systems inspired leader recognizes that they don’t always have to be in charge. Instead, they utilize the strengths within their team.Systems inspired leaderships is about stepping back and seeing the bigger picture. A shift from micro-management to macro-analysis.They are ‘we’ focused as opposed to ‘me’ focusedStepping into a systems perspective will not only help your team to work more effectively it will also take the pressure off you as a leader.Great leadership isn’t about having all the answers: it’s asking great questions.