“While we often blame external factors, such as difficult colleagues, organisational dynamics, or career setbacks, for our challenges, true and lasting change comes from within. By embarking on a journey of self-discovery through coaching, individuals can unlock their hidden potential, overcome self-imposed limitations, and thrive in today’s ever-evolving business landscape.”— Catherine Plano
Feeling stuck in a rut? Longing to achieve more but unsure how to break through?
We all face challenges in our careers. Whether it’s navigating complex projects, managing difficult colleagues, or simply feeling unfulfilled in our current roles. Often, the initial response is to look outward for the source of our struggles, blaming external factors like our job, boss, or even the corporate world itself. However, true, and lasting change often comes from within.
Effective coaching goes beyond simply prescribing solutions or providing answers. It embarks on a journey of self-discovery, guiding individuals to explore the depths of their own minds, hearts, and motivations. This inward exploration can be truly transformative, revealing hidden beliefs, unconscious biases, and limiting narratives that might be holding them back. By shedding light on these internal forces, individuals gain the power to break free from self-imposed limitations and unlock the potential they never knew they had.
Imagine a talented musician who blames a faulty instrument for their inability to play a beautiful melody. Similarly, focusing solely on external factors can hinder your growth. As Harvard Business Review’s “The Real Reason People Won’t Change” points out, individuals often resist change not out of opposition, but due to unconscious priorities that conflict with the proposed change. Feeling undervalued or unseen can create such a competing commitment, hindering individuals from embracing their full potential.
The Compelling Business Case for Coaching
Investing in coaching offers a powerful return on investment (ROI) for organisations seeking to unlock the full potential of their workforce, as evidenced by research from various sources:
- Gallup’s State of the Global Workplace Report 2023 found that a staggering 60% of global workers are not engaged, highlighting a widespread issue impacting productivity and retention. The report emphasises that feeling valued is a key driver of engagement, with employees who feel valued five times more likely to stay and three times more likely to be highly productive.
- Forbes’ “Why Feeling Valued at Work Matters More Than You Think” cites a study by Achievers Workforce Institute revealing that 70% of employees who leave their jobs do so because they don’t feel valued or appreciated.
- Aon Hewitt’s 2022 Trends in Global Employee Engagement Report emphasizes the importance of “psychological safety.” Feeling safe to voice opinions, express concerns, and make mistakes aligns closely with feeling heard and seen. Employees who experience psychological safety are more likely to be engaged, innovative, and speak up about issues hindering performance.
Investing in coaching empowers your employees to move beyond these hidden roadblocks and tap into their full potential, leading to:
- Increased Engagement and Productivity: By addressing internal limitations and fostering a sense of value and belonging, coaching leads to more engaged and productive employees, contributing directly to the company’s success.
- Enhanced Innovation and Creativity: A culture of self-discovery fosters a growth mindset, encouraging employees to think outside the box and embrace change, leading to increased innovation and problem-solving capabilities.
- Improved Leadership and Communication: Coaching equips leaders with the self-awareness and emotional intelligence to build stronger relationships, communicate effectively, and inspire their teams to achieve their goals.
- Reduced Turnover and Improved Retention: By investing in employee development and wellbeing, companies create a positive and supportive work environment, leading to increased employee satisfaction and reduced turnover.
Shifting the Focus from External to Internal
Often, individuals seeking coaching come with a focus on external factors, blaming circumstances or others for their challenges. A 2022 survey by the International Coaching Federation (ICF) found that 78% of individuals seeking coaching initially present with an external focus. However, true transformation requires a shift inward. Our perceptions, beliefs, and internal narratives significantly shape our experiences and actions. A 2023 study by the ICF found that coaching focused on internal dynamics led to 30% more significant and sustainable improvements compared to coaching solely focused on external factors. This shift allows individuals to move beyond blaming and become empowered agents of their own change.
Consider a team leader who consistently struggles to meet deadlines might initially blame the workload or team members. Through effective coaching, the leader might come to realise that their tendency towards procrastination, stemming from a fear of failure, is the root cause of the missed deadlines. By addressing this internal narrative and developing effective time management strategies, the leader can experience lasting improvements in their performance and leadership style.
Beyond the Surface: Unveiling the Archetypes Within
Carl Jung’s concept of archetypes offers a powerful lens for understanding the internal forces shaping our behaviours and motivations. These universal, symbolic characters, like the People Pleaser, the Self-Saboteur, the Inner Critic, and the Imposter, reside within each of us, influencing our thoughts, feelings, and actions. While each archetype offers a sense of protection and purpose, they can also become limiting factors if left unchecked.
Unmasking Our Hidden Players
For example, someone who consistently prioritises pleasing others, even at their own expense, might be driven by the People Pleaser archetype. This archetype thrives on external validation but can lead to neglecting personal needs and setting unhealthy boundaries. Recognising this archetype and its associated “secondary gains” (e.g., avoiding conflict, gaining approval) allows individuals to make conscious choices and prioritise their wellbeing.
Similarly, the Self-Saboteur archetype can manifest as procrastination, perfectionism, or self-doubt, hindering one’s ability to achieve goals. The Inner Critic’s constant negativity can chip away at confidence, while the Imposter Syndrome can lead to feelings of inadequacy despite evidence of success. Identifying these archetypes and their underlying anxieties can empower individuals to challenge their limiting beliefs and cultivate self-compassion.
By understanding the archetypes that play a role in our lives, we embark on a journey of self-discovery, gaining the power to choose how these internal characters influence our decisions and actions. This awareness empowers individuals to break free from self-imposed limitations and harness their full potential for personal and professional success.
Empowering Questions for Lasting Change
Effective coaching involves asking thought-provoking questions that guide clients towards self-discovery. Here are some examples:
- “What underlying beliefs or fears might be influencing your current situation?”
- “In what ways does your identified archetype manifest in your professional life, and what might it be protecting you from?”
- “What secondary gains might you be receiving from your current approach to challenges?”
- “What is the cost, both personally and professionally, of adhering to this archetype?”
- “How is this behaviour or belief system serving you in the short term, and what long-term effects might it have?”
- “What might be the underlying purpose of maintaining this pattern or belief?”
- “How does this archetype influence your relationships, both personally and professionally?”
- “If you could envision a more empowering expression of this archetype, what would it look like?”
- “What steps can you take to balance the benefits of this archetype with its potential drawbacks?”
By fostering self-reflection and addressing internal roadblocks, coaching empowers individuals to navigate change and achieve lasting professional and personal success. This introspective approach is particularly valuable in today’s complex and ever-evolving business landscape, where adaptability and self-awareness are key to thriving.
Coaching is not a silver bullet, but it is a powerful tool for unlocking the potential that lies within your most valuable asset – your people. By investing in their growth and development, you invest in the future of your organisation, creating a thriving and resilient workforce ready to navigate the challenges and opportunities of the ever-evolving business landscape.