Leadership Has A Cost

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Coaching leaders is challenging because the biggest problem with success is success. What helped you get to your current level of success is precisely what will hold you back from your next level of success. Or, as Tracy Goss puts it in her book The Last Word On Power—what got you here won’t get you there.

The challenge for leaders is that their game is much bigger than anyone around them. They play at a level at which most people cannot even imagine. They hide from everyone how much they are holding back from what is possible out of fear. Fear of getting it wrong, fear of losing their reputation or maybe, the fear of losing power.

We don’t like the idea of our leaders being like the rest of us. We imagine that they have no doubt and know all the answers. However, leaders have that same little voice in their heads telling them all the good reasons why they are not good enough and should give up. But they often have nobody with whom they can share their fears. For many, this leaves them feeling isolated and fearful as they feel expressing these feelings is a sign of weakness. This can lead to high levels of stress, anxiety and, ultimately, burnout. These symptoms can lead to a detrimental impact on their career, family and health.

It’s apparent that leaders need specialist support, and they don’t always get it. Leaders feel uncomfortable sharing their inner feelings and don’t know where to look for the right level of support. It doesn’t help that leaders are terrible at asking for help until it’s too late. For these leaders, high-level coaching has the most to contribute.  

Leaders don’t need to talk tactics and strategy; they are already experts. When you’re coaching the best on the planet, they don’t need your admiration. They don’t need your guidance or advice. They don’t need your ‘help’. (Most would hate that).

However, I’ve yet to meet a leader who didn’t want something more, something more profound. I’ve yet to meet a leader who didn’t want to make a more significant impact, leave a more lasting legacy or make a bigger contribution.

When coaching a leader, I don’t buy into their success story. I aim to shake up their thinking. Challenge the way they see their world. Say the things that no one else would dare to say. The leaders I coach know I have no other agenda than helping them achieve their dreams and well-being. It makes the coaching relationship both special and unique.

As my coach is fond of saying, “it wasn’t called coaching for most of human history. It was called leadership”. It’s what I love to do, to coach people, to help make their dreams real. I love to mess with their thinking! If you would like to experience more of this or learn about my community of high performers, email me at david@certuscoaching.co.uk

Positively impacted the trajectory of my life

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My coaching sessions with David have, without doubt, positively impacted the trajectory of my life. I now have a greater understanding of myself and my default decision-making process, which allows me to make more empowered choices and changes to my life. David manages to guide you through so many epiphanies and realisations, allowing you to connect the dots rather than just telling you what he has already observed. He challenges you, holds you accountable and, most importantly, shows no judgement. Although at times very challenging and exposing (coming face to face with your flaws and past mistakes), I honestly looked forward to every session – excited at the prospect of learning more about myself and taking another step closer to a more ‘fulfilled life’.

Chris Jordan
Accountant

Keeping a Vision in Charge!

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HOW to keep a Vision (aka mission, purpose, yonder star, etc.) in charge of your day-to-day life is always a challenge.

People committed to a purpose often find themselves on a long winding route to somewhere and then wonder… am I even on the path anymore?… and what was I trying to do in the first place?
Does this sound familiar?

Typically, when you have a vision (purpose, yonder star, etc.), you immediately start to take the actions necessary to have the vision come alive in reality. Inevitably, you hit a snag (aka problem) and then spend your valuable time and energy solving the immediate problems while still thinking you are on the way to your vision.

Actually, what almost always happens when you focus on the immediate problems, you end up on some detour moving away from the vision! It’s like our compass is BROKEN!!

Fundamentally Altered my Perspective

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I initially approached David about coaching as a way to further my career. It has gone far beyond that, and over the course of three months it has fundamentally altered my perspective on who I am and what I can achieve. I was initially a mild sceptic going into the process, so I’m even more delighted by what I have been able to come away with from coaching.

If you’re at all stuck in a rut and unsure where you’re going in life, I would highly recommend David to help you find your purpose.
Will Pemberton
Events Manager

Just been the starting point for me!

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David has helped me to see that I’m whole, complete and perfect, exactly as I am. But that’s just been the starting point for me to go for the dreams I never even realised I had – it has been hugely powerful to be able to shift my mindset to one of creativity, imagination and confidence both professionally and personally. David will help you move from: ‘what will the world give me’ to asking yourself: ‘what can I contribute?’ and that’s a far more rewarding place from which to live your life.

Lucy – Journalis

Separate set of eyes

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If you’re feeling unfulfilled or wondering what the ‘game of life’ is really about, then it’s worth having a chat with David. He offers a separate set of eyes to work with you, not only to dream big but to realise the impact you can have and to maximise it. Since working with David, I have been able to prioritise what’s really important in my life and begun to realise the ability I have to inspire others. I have removed barriers, made healthier choices and feel better placed to make a positive contribution to those around me.

DAN ROBINSON
Senior Infrastructure Consultant and
Leader in the Community

 

CAN MARRIAGE COACHING HELP YOUR RELATIONSHIPS AFTER LOCKDOWN?

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Covid Couple - small

For some couples and families the stresses and strains of being stuck at home together because of the covid-19 lockdown are starting to show. Before the lockdown, couples typically spent the bulk of their time apart since one (or both) worked outside of the home. Now the whole household are required to spend all day together.  New research into these dramatic changes in routine commissioned by the leading relationships charity, Relate, has highlighted the impact lockdown measures are having on relationships.

Almost a quarter of the survey’s respondents (23%) said the current circumstances are placing pressure on their relationship with their partner. Approximately one in eight (12%) of those who currently live with their partner agreed that staying at home is making them doubt their relationship.

It’s important to note this is not the case for everyone. The majority of the study’s respondents who have a partner (65%) said they feel supported by them and 43% of respondents who currently live with their partner said their experience of staying at home has bought them closer.  However, for those who are negatively impacted, it can be difficult to know what to do.

As a rule, couples and families are not designed to be in such intense close contact. It can lead to feelings such as resentment, anger, anxiety and frustration which can lead to arguments and negativity.  Pre-lockdown there would be natural times when couples and families would not be together.  We get a lot of pleasure and self worth from these activities and when we are unable to do them, underlying issues can be exaggerated as they are brought into sharp focus. What we were once able to ignore becomes unbearable.

As the negative feelings grow, we can start to expect our partners and children to be mind readers about what we need or want, then if we are disappointed we become critical or withdrawn. These feelings of upset and hurt can lead to a breakdown in the relationship due to the ever decreasing desire to communicate.  It’s only by talking about how you’re feeling, rather than focusing on who or what may be wrong, that healthy communication can start to grow.  This is where the help of a gifted counsellor is invaluable, guiding the conversation and keeping the lines of good communication open.

I believe a good, if tongue in cheek, illustration of this was the popularity of a clip on social media at the start of lockdown when a man is asked “Option A: Would you rather be home with your wife and kids, or option B…” and before option B is explained the man says “B.”  For many, both men and women this is a reality.

All family members need to feel that what they have to say is important and not be dismissed.   We can often make things up in our minds about certain behaviours; misunderstanding them as selfish or designed to hurt. It is only by talking them through without judgement that we can clear up any misunderstandings and remove any negative impact.  It’s inevitable that during this time, even in healthy relationships, disagreements will occur. If things are left to fester, and we stop talking and listening, resentment will build up into a more unmanageable situation.  We can then get stuck in a spiral of negative thinking that if left untreated can prove fatal to our relationships.

In order to counter these negative thoughts, it can help with the direction of a counsellor, to look for balance and be admiring of each other’s qualities. We can sometimes forget the strengths and positive traits of the person we live with. Our counsellor, Nicola Platts, sometimes ask clients to describe what they would look for in a new partner. Quite often they describe the person who is actually right under their nose.

The greatest gift counselling offers is to improve how people listen to each other: this is not a luxury it’s a necessity. For any situation to change we need the ability to ask ourselves better questions and be open to listening to the answer. Questions you could ask are: ‘Where would I like to be in a year or five years?’ or ‘If I woke up tomorrow morning and everything was okay in this relationship, what would have needed to change?’ These questions help to focus on the specifics as opposed to the general idea of wanting it to be better.

If you feel your relationship is going through some tough times or it has already broken down, some guidance from our expert, relationship counsellor Nicola Platts could be invaluable.  Together, with Nicola’s help, you can resolve any hurt and create the relationship of your dreams. Or if the relationship has come to an end, ensure an equitable split for everyone, especially if children are involved.

These matters are intensely private. But if anyone in your team, family or friends are impacted by the issues discussed, you owe it to them not to ignore it. We urge you to encourage them to reach out for help.

Simply contact info@certuscoaching.co.uk for an expert confidential conversation leading to any help that may be required.

 

The Telegraph – Does your marriage need an M.O.T.?

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Rachel and Andy Griffiths after their marriage MOT
Rachel and Andy Griffiths after their marriage MOT CREDIT: SOPHIA SPRING

‘If you’re in it for the long haul, it’s naive to think there won’t be cracks in your relationship from time to time,’ says Rachel Griffiths, who has been married to husband Andy for 20 years. ‘We’re both busy, we have lots of friends and as a result we’re really bad at focusing on our relationship.’It’s a situation many will recognise: two busy parents of teenagers, coming out of the frenzy of the early childhood years but whose lives run in parallel rather than together. For Rachel, 50, a freelance theatre practitioner, and Andy, also 50 and chief executive of a sports charity, this resulted in day-to-day issues getting blown out of proportion.‘I’m quite tidy and can’t relax until things are put away, but Rachel tends to work at our dining-room table and leaves things piled up,’ explains Andy. ‘I’d come back from work trips and the first thing I’d do would be clear up. It all became symbolic, and I started to feel, “If you cared about me, I wouldn’t be coming home to this”.

Determined to get back on track, the couple signed up for an Alt-Date Night course in London run by Devon-based organisation One:Retreat. This involved a day-long session of talks, private discussions and exercises with a relationship coach before going on a date together. ‘Sometimes you just need a different language or lens through which to look at something,’ says Andy.

Rachel and Andy Griffiths on their wedding day in 1998 
Rachel and Andy Griffiths on their wedding day in 1998  CREDIT: COURTESY OF RACHEL AND ANDY GRIFFITHS

Couples’ counselling has come a long way since clergyman Dr Herbert Gray set up the Marriage Guidance Council (now Relate) 80 years ago. Once seen as a last-ditch recourse, it’s no longer uncommon for couples to use counselling to check how their relationship is doing, even when there are no major problems. Hence the rise of so-called ‘Marriage MOT’ courses.

Most courses involve a series of exercises based around one principle: that a healthy marriage requires genuine communication, and acceptance that you might have different but equally valid points of view.It might sound a bit, well, American to the average buttoned-up Brit, but, says Marian O’Connor of Tavistock Relationships, ‘People feel they fell in love and got married and that’s it. But I use the analogy of a garden: you can’t just turn your back on it, you have to keep weeding it, working at it.’

I learnt that we’re just different – it doesn’t mean we’re falling apart

At the same time, we have extremely high expectations of these untended relationships, as Denise Knowles of Relate points out: ‘We expect security, friendship, the feeling of being special, good sex, to feel cherished, respected and loved – all the time.’So maybe it’s telling that the two biggest reasons for couples seeking help from Relate are ‘communication’ and ‘managing conflict’.

Sarah Burns, 48, signed up for a Couple 50+ MOT course in Bristol with her husband Joe, 66, as she felt like they were drifting apart. ‘We weren’t having massive bust-ups,’ she says, ‘but we weren’t finding time for each other.’ The four-week course prompted them to discuss what had changed in their relationship.

‘There were some surprises,’ says Joe. ‘Like the exercise where we had to describe each other in terms of animals. I described Sarah as an octopus, which surprised us both, and she likened me to an ostrich with my head in the sand, which didn’t surprise either of us. But we also talked about things like how we’d dealt with anger and how that affected us.’

Chris and Annie Hunt at their wedding 
in 2015 – a marriage MOT has helped them find resolutions to problems in their relationship 
Chris and Annie Hunt at their wedding in 2015 – a marriage MOT has helped them find resolutions to problems in their relationship  CREDIT: COURTESY OF CHRIS AND ANNIE HUNT

By the end of the sessions, their relationship had changed. ‘One of the things I learnt is that it’s not a personal affront if the other person doesn’t react in exactly the same way as you,’ Sarah says. ‘It doesn’t mean we’re falling apart. We’re just different. We need to respect those differences and be a bit more creative in the way we deal with each other.’ The couple are now planning their first holiday without their children in 22 years. ‘I do think we’re making efforts to stay a lot closer,’ says Joe.

Ammanda Major of Relate says that many of her clients sign up for an MOT around the time of a major life milestone. ‘Sometimes birthdays or anniversaries can suddenly make us start to think, “I’m not very happy”, as can things like the death of a parent or kids moving out.’Retirement is another trigger – and not just because the couple see more of each other. ‘It can be a disappointment if one partner is expecting more sex than the other,’ explains O’Connor. ‘You’ve finally got time for it but bodies have often changed, which can get in the way of enjoying life in and out of bed. That doesn’t mean it’s not possible to have sensual enjoyment, but it may be different.’

Many couples find it toe-curlingly embarrassing to discuss issues like this at first, but they soon get used to it. ‘There are some areas I find quite difficult to talk about,’ says Andy Griffiths. ‘But I knew it was important to be there.’Chris Hunt, 54, a construction manager who completed the same One:Retreat course, admits that he was initially reluctant to sign up as he dislikes speaking about his feelings – but agreed after his wife, Annie, also 54, persuaded him. ‘I hadn’t realised some bits would be difficult for her, too,’ he says. Annie adds: ‘Chris doesn’t like me to be uncomfortable talking about things but he learnt that I don’t actually mind being uncomfortable in front of him – it’s worth it to get a resolution.’

However, some marriages reach a rather more serious point before a couple realises that an MOT is needed. Take Tom*, 53, and Georgia*, 54, who were on the verge of separation. ‘He didn’t want to do anything – or at least, not anything with me,’ Georgia says.

‘We’d got well beyond the stage of date nights because even if I could force him out of the door we’d just end up arguing. I’d given up on the idea that we might enjoy each others’ company again and Tom now admits he felt the same.’ It took weeks of digging to remind them what drew them to each other in the first place. ‘It wasn’t easy, but we’ve mapped out a path of how to move forward,’ says Tom. ‘We have something we don’t want to throw away.’Looking back, Rachel and Andy agree that the course was worth it. ‘My Saturdays are quite precious. But deep down I knew it was important,’ says Andy.

So what of the cluttered dining table? ‘Rachel has started to keep it tidier,’ says Andy. ‘And I make an effort not to make it my first point of engagement when I get in. It wouldn’t have worked if we’d just been confrontational.’ Rachel adds: ‘We needed a solution – and now we both think about what makes the other person happy.’

New Marriage and Family Coaching Service

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Marriage counselling crop 72dpi

I am delighted to welcome Nicola Platts to our coaching team.  Nicola is a highly qualified relationships coach with over a decade’s experience of working with Relate.  She specialises in Marriage and Family Coaching.

Nicola will be offering our new Marriage MOT service. Many couples wait for their relationship to breakdown before you ask for help! Our Marriage MOT takes a look under the bonnet of your relationship to diagnose any issues before they become a major, sometimes terminal, problem.  During the 1-hour session, Nicola will take a look at what isn’t working as well as you’d like in your relationship.  She will help you both to identify potential problems early and put strategies in place to deal with them in the future.

For many, the one-off session is all that is needed. For those with more serious challenges, we offer a 5-session intensive program to help you identify and deal with whatever comes up in a powerful way.
 
These matters are intensely private. But if anyone in your team, family or friends is facing increased relationship pressures from personal stress and anxiety you owe it to them not to ignore it. We urge you to encourage them to reach out for help.

Simply contact Nicola at info@certuscoaching.co.uk for an expert, confidential conversation leading to any help that may be required.

3 Hidden Beliefs That Stop You

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3 Hidden Beliefs That Stop You

Underneath the 9 ways you tend to hold yourself back from the highest levels of success are 3 hidden beliefs that stop you:

1. I’m scared…

2. I don’t know what to do…

3. I’m not enough…

1. I’m scared…

You are the descendant of thousands of generations of very fearful people. In fact, any of your ancestors who lacked fear, probably didn’t get to pass their genes on! Healthy fear isn’t a bad thing. It’s designed to keep you safe. But unconscious fear isn’t healthy. There are 3 categories of fear:

(i) People: I’m afraid of what people will say or think of me… If I fail. If I succeed. If I’m more visible. If I speak, write, make videos. If I start and then give up.

(ii) Time/Energy: I’m afraid it will take over my life… I’ll be overwhelmed or exhausted. I won’t be able to follow through.

(iii) Money: I’m afraid I’ll run out of money… I’m afraid I’ll lose all my money. I’m afraid I’ll be homeless. I’m afraid I’ll end up as a bag lady. (Sometimes it’s the flip side of this fear: I’m afraid I’ll make too much money… Then, my family won’t like me any more. Then, I’ll be more successful than my father. Then, I’ll have even more to lose.)

2. I don’t know what to do… 

This looks like a problem of a lack of information, skill, connection or motivation. Actually, it’s just a cover for one of the fears above but let’s break down the 4 types of “I don’t know what to do.”

(i) Information: I don’t know how to do it. I don’t know where to start (I’m overwhelmed by all the options).

(ii) Skills: I don’t know what to do (lack of knowledge, eg. I need better marketing skills or networking skills)

(iii) Connections: I don’t know who to ask. I don’t know the right people. I have difficulty in asking for what I want.

(iv) Motivation: I’m not driven enough. Eg. I have plenty of money, so I don’t need to start yet.

3. I’m not enough… 

A deep fear of most humans is that they’re not enough. This shows up in two common ways:

(i) I don’t believe in myself: I doubt myself/I’m not good enough/Why would they listen to me?

(ii) I’m scared of rejection: I’d rather not ask for what I want than to hear the word, “no!”

For more information Contact me