Hola, Alexis here,
What do juicing and laser coaching have in common?
They both work!
A nutrition coach recently suggested that I try juicing. I didn’t even know what this meant. I thought it meant trading my daily cup of coffee for a cup of Tropicana.
What I learned is that there’s a lot of research behind juicing.
Juicing is the process of extracting or pressing fresh fruits and vegetables for their juice, which means you’re drinking exclusively pure life containing liquid rather than eating any fiber or pulp.
Experts say that “by drinking juice, your body absorbs key nutrients immediately, without having to digest fibers and other components in whole foods. Juice also allows you to get a broader intake of vitamins and minerals — more so than you may be getting in your regular diet.”
So what’s the main difference between eating and juicing?
Time.
Laser Coaching: A Concentrated Dose
Generally speaking, eating a celery stalk is a good idea. The fibers contained within are non-digestible and work through your system to help keep your insides clean and functioning at a high capacity.
But, it’s a process. It takes time.
Sometimes, what we need is not a process, but a jolt. That’s when juicing comes in; a concentrated dose of nutrition that will jolt your system.
Laser Coaching: A Concentrated Dose
One of the most common things you’ll read in our communications to our clients and colleagues is “don’t hesitate to reach out if there’s anything you need. We’re with you every step of the way.”
We write that because we know – maybe even better than they do – that leadership is a process. We relish every opportunity to listen, work with, and guide our colleagues and clients to their own next-level of success. We create the space for them to work out their own needs at their own pace. We help guide the process.
But sometimes, what they really need is a jolt. They’re facing an obstacle, they have a question, and they need a strategy.
They need something that they can absorb quickly – an option they’re not seeing, a question they’re forgetting to ask. And they need it right away if they’re going to tackle their obstacle head on.
That’s when Laser Coaching is a gift. Laser Coaching is a leadership strategy that requires strict boundaries. The team member gets one question and 20 minutes. No more. The goal of this design is that he or she leaves with:
- A new way of thinking
- Better questions to ask
- A strategy that they can put into practice right away
A concentrated dose of coaching can go a long way.
Laser Coaching: Best Practices
If you’re a leader who wants to try this method of laser coaching with your team members, here are a few of our best practices.
1. Make Yourself Available.
Let your team members know that you are available for laser coaching (or “Laser focused” sessions) and then let them choose to take you up on it. The act of making an appointment shows a disposition on their part to listen, to learn, and to implement.
2. Set Expectations
Explain that this session will be 20 minutes long and they are to come with one thing to discuss. The coachee is not expected to give an overview of what’s going on; all we ask is that they come prepared to say, “… my question is….” No salutation or small talk needed.
3. Listen
Listen for what they’re saying and for what they’re not saying. Listen for clues about their needs and their fears. Listen to your intuition for guidance.
4. Ask Questions (rather than offer suggestions)
Resist the temptation to give advice right away. Instead, reflect back to them what you’re hearing and noticing. They will often arrive at their own powerful conclusions if they’re given the opportunity to be heard.
5. Seek Action
End the session by asking what they are going to put into action. Having them state their intentions back to you will help solidify their clarity on the matter.
That’s it! No long conversations. No drawn out processes. Those things are important, and they will be necessary for another time. For this moment, you have served your team members well for what they are facing right now, and you’ve created a practice that’s manageable for both your schedule and theirs.
With love,
Alexis
Written by Alexis Fuentes, Community Relations Manager at Whole Leadership Systems, Inc.
Inspiring a vision of what’s possible and the strategies to achieve it
