Coaches on Zoom Drinking Coffee

Michael Sweeney, Founder and Lead Coach at Saber Coaching, talks us through his varied career and how these experiences have influenced his unique coaching approach.If you’ve ever been in an awkward first session where clients seem unsure what to expect, Michael has advice for you. He shares some of the unconventional methods - including coaching while running - that he has used to meet his clients’ bespoke needs. Enjoy his surprising suggestions for bringing out your clients’ coachability!After spending time in the military himself, Michael worked with a junior military officer recruiting company. In this role, he undertook 50 mock interviews where he faced the challenge of adapting military experience to other contexts. Learn more about his “converter key” and how it can be used to translate experience between environments.Michael also shares some of his personal development journey. He also explains how he treats feedback as a gift - even when he doesn’t like the wrapping or the contents.Find out how making himself vulnerable and bringing others into his process helped him change his interrupting habit. Working in plant management in the world of wine, Michael soon realized he loved the training, culture, and leadership aspects above all else. From there, he moved into training, tech integration, and team building. In this episode, he shares stories like how he converted a naysayer with his “woo-woo” ideas, proving that soft skills could increase efficiency.To discover what a “squircle stage” is and how to navigate it, make sure you listen into this conversation. He has plenty of practical tips for helping clients move through thresholds, transforming fear and indecision into creativity and excitement. 

A conversation with Michelle Brody: author, executive coach, and clinical psychologist. In this episode, Michelle digs deep into the differences between coaching and therapy. Using the example of discussing family patterns, she explains where she draws a boundary between the two fields as well as where she feels safe to step over that line. Michelle also talks about “coming out” to clients as a psychologist - and how this admission can affect the way that clients perceive her. Michelle is interested in exploring the emotional junk that we hide under the table where the work takes place: the emotions and judgements that people hold in private. Without digging into that difficult stuff, people won’t be truly aligned. From her coaching and her psychological expertise, Michelle explains how we can begin to unpick these knots and create better workplaces.In her books, Michelle analyzes dynamics between couples as well as dynamics within teams. Here, she explains to Alex that these dynamics often have more in common than we might expect. She talks about how people respond to threats with some kind of emotional armor; this protects them, but comes off as cold, and looks to others like you’re fighting.What does your armor look like? Michelle sheds light on the different kinds in this episode.You may find that your kind is causing you more problems. In a long-running conflict, you may end up in a “circular armor” situation where two parties get more and more defensive until they’re completely stuck. Discover how you can fix this issue by listening to the full conversation.

A conversation with Dr. Richard Osibango, the Director of SPTD Transformation and one of Marshall Goldsmith’s 100 Coaches. Richard currently serves as an Organizational Development Leader and trusted advisor to executive leaders at Intel Corporation, and he’s interested in coaching, transformation, and innovation in organizational settings.Richard transitioned from scientific studies to a career in coaching, and in this episode he shares the motivation behind this change. He talks about having a “where’s your head at?” moment, which we all experience at some point, and what he chose to do when he felt that way.Working from a 3Ps model - potential, passion, and purpose - Richard was able to establish where he possessed raw talents that he hadn’t yet processed. In conversation with Alex, he provides practical advice for people who are looking to follow in his footsteps and discover what their lives should be about. He emphasizes the importance of knowing the direction in which you want to go because then it’s easier to find what will get you there.Once Richard knew where he wanted to go, he immersed himself in education. Coaching.com CEO Alex Pascal takes this opportunity to ask him which development programs he has gone through and which have been most impactful on his career. David shares his experiences of Stakeholder Centered Coaching and the Hudson program at Intel, among others.Using Blockbuster and Netflix as an example, Richard explains the need to listen for leaders to listen to the voices around them and create an environment where feedback is welcome. Otherwise, the market is destined to surprise them with bad news. He believes that leaders need to do more than maintain; they need to proactively create the future - to hear more of his ideas on leadership, listen to the full episode.

Insights about innovation in the coaching space from bestselling author, innovation coach, and associate professor Elvin Turner. In this conversation with Coaching.com CEO Alex Pascal, Elvin explains the different phases of organizations and how they often accidentally evolve into models that maintain the status quo. He shares how he helps them to change so they can accommodate  bolder and bigger ideas.If you’ve ever heard the “fail fast” philosophy, listen in to learn why Elvin believes it’s highly limited. During this episode, he also explains why extraordinary things can’t occur in an ordinary context. Elvin has extensive experience of creating spaces where people feel more confident to stretch their behaviors in new directions, and he shares his expertise with us here.As an innovation expert, Elvin is familiar with the fears that stop leaders from committing to this process. He explains to Alex how he builds their confidence to go on an innovation journey by using established frameworks. He also provides some of the provocative questions that he asks to help organizations uncover the “growth gap” between where they’re headed and where they want to go.To learn more about creating innovation strategies and how coaches can use new technologies such as Chat GPT as self-improvement aids, check out this episode. Elvin will show you how to balance risk with creativity to integrate new ideas into existing operations in a healthy, sustainable way. 

A fascinating conversation with Cassie Holmes, professor at UCLA Anderson and Wall Street Journal bestselling author of Happier Hour. During this episode, Cassie explains how she would define happiness: as subjective wellbeing, where more positive than negative emotions are experienced on average.Many clients approach coaches looking for a sense of meaning in their lives, and Cassie explains here how meaning and happiness are interconnected. She also accounts for the ways in which negative experiences can be picked up in our sense of meaning, and looks at the difference between joy and satisfaction.Cassie’s book Happier Hour looks at how people can invest their time to create more happiness in their lives. Although we may feel that we are “time poor,” she reminds us that it’s not about how much time we have but how we invest the time that’s at our disposal. Cassie also warns Coaching.com CEO Alex Pascal about the risks of feeling “time poor” and how this perspective can cause us to miss what really matters in our lives.Learn how to use your time intentionally, take a broader perspective of your life, and gather personalized data about what makes you happy by listening to the full episode. 

A deep dive on all things digital with Rahaf Harfoush, digital anthropologist and Executive Director of Red Thread Institute of Digital Culture. In this episode, Rahaf explains how unprepared we are as humans for the infinite ecosystem of online information. She also gives practical tips on how to manage “infobesity” by being more intentional about the ways you engage with information. Rather than allow algorithms to determine your experience, Rahaf suggests analyzing your “return on attention” when you use specific platforms: deciding what you want from each and being aware of how each affects you.She also warns against digital dependencies - using tech to regulate our nervous systems as a numbing behavior or a coping mechanism.Rahaf talks about productivity, challenging myths perpetuated by hustle culture suggesting anything that isn’t traditionally productive is a waste of time. Using the example of video games, she explains how different experiences can be important and enriching. Coaching.com CEO Alex Pascal asks Rahaf what she thinks about Chat GPT, the AI chatbot that is currently making waves across industries. Rahaf describes this technology as comparable to an industrial revolution for white collar workers before going into detail about how it has the potential to both help and harm. To find out why Rahaf is a tech dualist, believing every innovation is both awesome and terrible, listen to this episode. You’ll also gain some great ideas on how to reach your own “information zen” state through more intentional tech engagement. 

World-leading expert on neuro-axiology Peter Demarest joins Alex to discuss how neuroscience and axiology can be applied to coaching practice. Discover how the synergy between these models can help you support clients to enhance their quality of life.Peter Demarest has been a popular Pre Summit and Full Summit presenter in the past, delivering fascinating sessions on topics such as Valuegenic Self-Leadership: Being a Game-Changing Coach and Neuro-Axiology: Adding Value to Your Coaching with Game-Changing Insights from Mind-Brain-Value Science.In this episode, he shares further insights on these subjects, introducing the science and research behind neuro–axiology. Coaches will appreciate his practical tips for applying theory to practice - helping clients to identify their biases and assets, for example - without having to “teach” clients the theory itself.To make neuro-axiology more accessible, Peter shares examples from his own life and unpacks what drove his behavior in moments where he acted out of alignment with his values. He also explains to Alex how the work of Steve Jobs and Bill Gates connects to this model. From these examples, he clarifies how the needs that drive the subconscious mind interact with ways of thinking that create value. Peter explains to Coaching.com CEO Alex exactly what he means by value and how his model measures this concept. According to Pete, abundance is about creation and not receiving, and what makes us better human beings is what gives us a better life. Find out how you can help clients transition from a self-centric mindset to help them create greater net value for society as a whole.Peter Demarest is one of the authors of Answering the Central Question: How Science Reveals the Keys to Success in Life, Love, and Leadership. Subscribe and check out the full episode to better understand how you can help your clients answer their central questions.Valuegenic Self-Leadership: Being a Game-Changing Coach (Full Summit 2022): In this session, Peter outlines what makes his approach - designed to address subconscious bias as a way to change behavior - a true “game changer” for the coaching industry. He also distinguishes between valuegenic and self-centric mindsets, explaining why the former is worth pursuing.Neuro-Axiology: Adding Value to Your Coaching with Game-Changing Insights from Mind-Brain-Value Science (2020 Pre Summit): Here, Peter shares his belief that thinking is the catalyst that turns potential into performance. He provides strategies for changing thought processes to create greater value, which he describes as the driving force of the human spirit.

An inspiring conversation with passionate coaching advocate Jean Francois Cousin, a global executive coach and former senior leader who has served CEOs, C-Suite executives, and leadership teams in 35 countries. Former Chairman of the ICF’s global board Jean Francois drops by Coaches in Zoom Drinking Coffee to share some wisdom from his extensive coaching experience.Jean Francois trained as an engineer and enjoyed a successful corporate career before beginning his coaching journey at the age of 40. In this episode, he explains why he chose to pursue people over promotions and politics because this was - and still is - his passion.He shares some of the early mistakes he made in his career, including marketing himself as a “jack of all trades” coach instead of niching down. He also unpacks some of the key values that have driven his career, including his belief that coaching should be an act of unconditional love for the potential of the client.Jean Francois is one of our most popular Summit speakers, and in this episode, he demonstrates why! He takes this opportunity to provide some valuable insights on how coaches should approach their work with humility, ensuring their client remains the superstar, and how coaches can overcome imposter syndrome when working with high-level clients.Coaching.com CEO Alex Pascal asks Jean Francois for his take on whether coaches should focus on asking questions or providing advice. In response, Jean Francois explains his strategies for stepping out of the role of coach and into a more mentoring role when the situation calls for it.To hear more about the most prevalent problems that clients are bringing to Jean Francois’ coaching sessions, listen to the full episode. He offers some fantastic practical tips at the end!

An enlightening conversation with Amy Sandler: professional speaker, executive coach, and corporate mindfulness trainer. Amy was one of the first 30 people chosen by Google in 2007 to deliver the mindfulness based emotional intelligence training program Search Inside Yourself. She is currently serving as chief content officer and coach at Radical Candor. An early adopter of mindfulness and spiritual development in executive coaching, Amy has since built a career from sharing these practices. In this episode of Coaches on Zoom Drinking Coffee, she explains how important it is to catch what a purely rational approach to coaching would otherwise miss.Of course, encouraging CEOs to open their hearts and invest time and energy on spiritual development can be a challenge. During their discussion, Amy talks about how she meets these people where they are, often using data and science to justify more spiritually-inclined activities.One of the topics Amy discusses with Coaching.com CEO Alex Pascal is her work with Radical Candor, which basically asks “how can I succeed at work without being a jerk?”. According to Amy, it’s all about finding the right balance between caring for people and challenging them. Care and challenge may look different to different people, though. Talking through the Radical Candor framework, Amy shares examples of how obnoxious aggression, manipulative sincerity, and ruinous empathy show up at work.Relating these ideas to the coaching industry, Amy and Alex talk about the paradox that coaches face: coaches have to be liked to keep clients; however, being liked isn’t always the same as being effective and achieving results. To learn more about how Amy herself is working to overcome people-pleasing and perfectionism through her own personal spiritual curriculum, listen to the full episode.

A fun and fascinating conversation with Eric M. Bailey, bestselling author of The Cure for Stupidity: Using Brain Science to Explain Irrational Behavior and President of Bailey Strategic Innovation Group, one of the fastest-growing human communication consulting firms in the United States.Eric was recently named Diversity Leader of the Year by the Diversity Leadership Alliance. In this episode of Coaches on Zoom Drinking Coffee, Coaching.com CEO Alex Pascal asks him to debunk some myths about what bias means and explain how people who confront their biases have greater opportunities for control and creativity.As an expert on human behavior, connection, and communication, Eric had insights to share on how we can interrupt our thought cycles and move beyond our initial unhelpful reactions to stressful situations. Using road rage as an example, he provides practical tips you can apply right away to avoid holding onto the frustration you feel at the behavior of others. One of the major conversations currently taking place in our culture is around political correctness and a perceived increase in the general population’s sensitivity levels. During their discussion, Eric and Alex consider whether beloved shows like Seinfeld could be shown today - and whether it’s really a negative thing if we’ve evolved past certain media.To learn how to help people move beyond defensiveness into an open, curious mindset where they’re able to embrace diversity, listen to the full conversation.