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Appreciative Inquiry is an organization development process that permeates the coaching world. The process starts with the belief that whatever we put our attention on appreciates (grows and develops). When we focus on clients’ problems, those problems become more entrenched and difficult. When we focus on strengths, creativity, aliveness and movement, those parts grow and get stronger.

At the core of Appreciative Inquiry is the choice to view human beings as mysterious, moving, changing, expanding, life-affirming, creative, spiritual beings. Once we make this choice, we no longer see people as problems to be solved or issues to be fixed. Together with our clients, we look deeply, call forth and nourish the life-generating forces already in existence to create a present and future that is more joyful and fulfilling.… Read more

Imagine communities where…

Parents engage fully in the lives, education and health of their children.

Families learn how to create financial stability.

Community members create food systems, health systems, financial systems and educational systems that create a level playing field.

Initiatives foster more honest communication and effective feedback structures.

People share a common belief that all humans have the ability to create meaningful and happy lives.

Seasoned leaders, nonprofit staff and emerging leaders have the support, time and energy to engage in professional development to effect change in their communities.

We envision coaching skills embedded in communities everywhere, so that parents, teachers, caseworkers and change makers thrive.… Read more

An Interview With Richard Michaels

Omega: How can coaching play a role in social change?

Richard: Meaningful social change is built on a foundation of connection and understanding. Deep listening and empowering questions are two coaching tools that support these basic and profound tools.

When we listen with full attention and an open mind, we relate to others through our direct experience rather than through filters of the past. It opens the window to our commonalities and seeing the inherent value of others. We view our differences within a new context wherein those very differences enhance what is possible.

Questions stimulate our conscious and unconscious mind to see into the heart of the matter.… Read more

Practices for cultivating and maintaining trust

If I would have to choose one word which is always relevant to the personal and professional journey of any Change-Maker; one word which is a key factor in the success of each project, initiative or team work; one word which is significant to leaders as well as to educators, to individuals as well as to entire communities – That word is TRUST.

Why trust?

Because it is at the core of our activities as leaders in a world of social-environmental-educational-economical transformations and paradigm shifts. Because it’s a necessary component for a thriving, sustainable and healthy human society.… Read more

…and get a solid return on your investment

7 Steps for Coaching is no longer restricted to private conversations for the privileged few at the top. It’s not just a perk for rising stars. Today coaching is woven into the culture of the organization and impacts people at every level.The research is clear… coaching improves performance, collaboration and output. For more than 20 years, coaching has been a key component of leadership development programs and nearly all large organizations develop top performers by using external coaches or developing internal coaches.1 Developing a coaching culture is a game changer that shifts the way people work together.

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Making Friends with Your Inner Judge

1. What makes you difficult? What do you DO that stimulates you to think of yourself as difficult?
2. What does your inner JUDGE say about your actions? 
3. What are your feelings connected to each judgment?
4. What are your unmet needs connected to each judgment?

1. Action: I chose to co-facilitate with someone who did not have the competencies I expected. 

2. Inner Judge:	3. Feelings	4. Needs
I’m so stupid, could ruin my reputation	disappointed	recognition
I’ve never been wrong about people before	shocked	trust my intuition
I was duped by his on-line articulation	bewildered	careful choice

Making Friends with Your Inner Chooser

1. Think again about what you DO that stimulates you to think of yourself as difficult.

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1. Trigger – 

The first step is capturing some stimulating moments, the words or events, the “trigger” with no censoring – anything goes. Not telling anyone else, just acknowledging something came up with some charge for me. Remembering, when I focus on wrongness or blame, my attention can easily move to seeking someone to punish. It might be I want to punish the other person for treating me poorly, or I may kick myself for being stupid or not learning better. I mention the “trigger” below and move to step two.

2. Observation –

The second step is to translate this stimulus/trigger into a simple, neutral description (no judgments or labels) – what took place; an observation.… Read more

What is empathy?  

1. A way to connect with 
   1. how it is for the person
   2. what they are trying to convey
   3. a deeper essence of what is going on in them

Why?

1. To connect with others
2. To understand others
3. To increase my capacity to be compassionate (pleasurable and empowering) 
4. To contribute to another’s well-being
   1. their need for connection with another person
   2. their need for understanding
   3. their need for clarity
   4. their need for compassion/self-compassion

How? 

1. By focusing our attention on feelings and needs

When to speak it aloud?

1. To deepen the quality of our connection: 
   1. when I want to check if my understanding matches their experience
   2. when I sense the person wants confirmation they’re understood
2. When I sense it would support the person’s clarity or deeper self-connection (use this with discretion and caution)

For more articles like this, go to the www.authenticcommunicationgroup.com… Read more

When a person is telling us of a struggle they are having, there are many ways we can respond.  There is a specific type of response described in Nonviolent Communication, called the empathic guess, or empathic inquiry, or sometimes just referred to as empathy.  There are many other ways of responding.  We are not saying that any response is good or bad in itself.  We just want to clarify at this point what empathy is not.

Non-Empathic Responses 

1. Judging:   criticizing the person or their point of view.
   1. I can’t believe you…
   2. You’re so…
2. Consoling: 
   1. Oh you poor thing…
3. Interpreting: telling the person what their motives are
   1. I think you’re doing this because
4. Spiritual Bypass: 
   1. If you trust in God/Universe/Higher Power it’ll work out. 

… Read more