| Anyone Listening? |
| Hearing the words isn't exactly the same as actively listening to people. When you listen - really listen - you put all your distractions aside and give your full attention to other people. And those distractions can be just as easily inside your own head. It can be quite tiring, but very worthwhile. For many people, you're giving them their first taste of being truly heard. And that can have a huge impact on self esteem. Its free, you don't lose anything and you give everything. So go ahead and listen to someone today. |
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Here we are half way through October and we're having the best weather of the summer. Those of you who've been back to school for the last month must be wondering why it couldn't have been like this in July and August! 
For many people the downside of September was the loss of homes and businesses in the floods that have crossed the UK. My home town of Morpeth saw its worst floods on record and many people will not be returning to their homes until next summer. However, in such adversity we learn the true meaning of community. At the present time we are living in a very uncertain world. Our belief that our communities were as safe as our banks has been replaced with a big question mark! For many the relevance of the stock market news means little until they do their next week's shopping and prices have gone up again. We wonder what will happen next. However, what ever does come along, please maintain that belief in your self and keep your inner calm by ensuring you have your own techniques to combat stress. Wherever you are I hope that you are surrounded by those you can rely on if needed.
As always we welcome your feedback on this or any newsletter. If there's area of coaching you would like us to discuss, please let us know Email pauline@prfsolutions.com |
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| Coaching at Work |
 Embedding coaching into your work place can be more hazardous than it seems. The definition of coaching changes between organisations and between people. At best it can be a euphemism for mentoring and at worst it becomes a replacement for managing performance. Many organisations have invested a great deal both in time and money in setting up coaching systems. However, unless they understand exactly what they want from it, coaching is unlikely to become embedded into the organisation's culture. Those who are introducing coaching have to have the firm support from the most senior management level. And that level of management has to fully understand how coaching can bring benefits to the whole of their business. There is a danger that coaching can be seen as nothing more than another trend such as TQM, learning-organisations or customer-centric. Each was very good in theory, but for many there was no translation into the practicality of the workplace. So, where do you start if you want to spread coaching in your workplace? It needs to come from the top. Many CEOs across public and private industries use coaching. Many see the benefits for themselves: when you're at the top of your tree there is often no independent, safe arena where you can explore your thoughts and play "what if" with new ideas. However, there can sometimes be a lack of foresight as to how coaching can benefit all levels of business. Coaching is about:
- Empowerment. People do know how do to their job. Coaching is a way of letting people talk about what they do, how they can improve and to show that they really are the expert of their own experience.
- Motivation. Given the freedom to explore ideas, people will become more creative. Most people know how to improve their work. They simply don't believe that they have the authority to make changes for themselves. The freedom to self determine gives a huge boost to motivation.
- Responsibility. This is about being grown up. And that's a big step in many organisations. Have you ever worked in a blame culture? It's not nice. It's where you know who is to blame (and it isn't you) even before anything goes wrong. In reality, the only thing wrong in making mistakes is not learning from them. Leadership has to allow people to make mistakes and give everyone an opportunity to reflect and learn - from mistakes as well as successes. Most people are more willing to take responsibility for their actions when they're not afraid of the consequences - and that takes individual and organisational maturity.
When staff are cynical of the benefits of coaching there is often a missing link between the coaching strategy and the organisation strategy. Embedding coaching as a means of reflection throughout the process of organisational development can help people to see the value of coaching both for themselves and their workplace. An open, non-judgemental coaching conversation at key moment in the cycle of a project can help individuals, teams and management reflect on what has happened, what could happen, what is working, what needs to change and whether the goals have changed along the way. At the end of the day, leaders create the culture of the workplace through their own behaviour. When that behaviour is open, honest and encourages individual responsibility, coaching can support the company ethos without feeling like another management gimmick. In our next newsletter well look at building coaching capability within the workplace. |
| Happiness |
 In his recent book "Happier" Professor Tal Ben-Shah said that the real purpose of goals is to liberate us to enjoy the here and now. That may sound good, but what does it means? It came to me on Saturday when I wanted to go and order some picture frames from a local shop. I knew which shop and I was going to and why. However, I decided that simply walking the direct way to town and along the high street wasn't very inspiring. So, I decided to walk through the woods, along the stream and past the castle, circling down to the end of the high street and to the shop I was aiming for. During that walk, I could smell the wonderful damp woody smell of the trees, hear and see birds around me - including being startled by a green finch. I felt calm and at peace with myself. I got to where I wanted to be, ordered my picture frames and achieved my goal - without having to suffer the jostling of a crowded Saturday morning high street. So, set your goals and then enjoy the journey! |
| Crystal Healing |
With each newsletter we include a short article on a different holistic therapy. These are added for your interest so that you can, if you wish, learn more about different ways of nurturing your inner well being. This month our holistic therapist talks about the use of crystals. Research shows that man, as a species, has been fascinated by crystals and their healing properties over many millennia. The use of crystals for healing, meditation and energy balance can be traced back to Ancient Egyptian, the Mayan and the Native American Indian cultures. In general terms, Crystal Therapy is only considered 'New Age', and slightly suspect, because there is a spiritual aspect to it.
Anyone can use crystals to enhance their own lives by placing them around their homes or on their person. Feng Shui experts can discuss the benefits of this in detail. When using crystals to restore health, mental, physical or spiritual, when there is real 'dis - ease', professional crystal healers can help to ensure that the correct combination of crystals is used. Modern technology uses crystals to help control the conduction of energy. For instance, a watch battery transfers energy to crystals which release it a rate that allows the watch to keep perfect time. So if crystals can regulate a watch, how do they affect the human body? Our bodies produce their own electrical fields. Our nerves conduct impulses that allow our body's to perform everyday tasks such as muscle movement, speech or even hearing. This creates an energy field throughout and around our body. Crystals absorb, focus, direct and diffuse this energy so that it can be used more efficiently.
Crystal therapy is a non - invasive treatment that is safe for everyone. A normally health person can use crystals to enhance their own well - being and of those around them, (and this can include benefits for your pets). June Padley Quiet Times 01670 850487 |
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