Discovering a Whole New Way to See

So what do you do when you don’t know the next step with a coaching client? 

What I did was grab about 10 random images. I spread them out on the table and asked my client which image captured where she was in the moment. 

She picked the image of the block and tackle that kept her stuck and unable to move. We flipped this story and explored other ways t interpret this image – like solid, stable, strong, determined. 

With this new perspective, my client had discovered a whole new way to see.

Pay Attention to the Tasks, Relationships & Outcomes

Product launched … on budget, a few days later than planned (timing had been adjusted along the way) and with kudos in the marketplace! 

Celebration occurred with high fives and individual acknowledgments which had happened only on a limited basis in the past. 

The image of the swans had inspired my client to pay attention to the tasks, the relationships and the outcomes and resulted in new alignments among team members. They are working very differently together, experiencing fewer broken promises, much more ability to negotiate and increased results at the bottom line.

Transformation Testimonial - Rainbow in the Clouds

The JICT Image that provided a transformation for me is this double rainbow (did you catch the 2nd rainbow?). 

Continuation... The cloud in front of the rainbows represents the uncertainty and the confusion of both my mother and our family.  The rainbows represent the gifts we are finding behind the cloud. 

At this time in her life and because of the disease, she is more gentle, kind, and loving… a true gift for us with her version of Alzheimer’s Disease. Many of the stories I read from caregivers describe the great gifts they find within the so-called “crisis” where they first find themselves. 

So, my closing questions are:  

• What gifts can you find within your current crisis? Is it a choice to see the gifts or to stay within the cloud?  
• Which do you choose? How can you “see” through the clouds?

On the Journey - Footprints

Continuation ...

What is coming towards me? 

Can I accept whatever comes? 

When my mother was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s Disease, the whole family was in shock… “…not in our family and certainly not this very intelligent, independent woman” was the basis of the 1^st discussions. Then we moved to gathering information and advice on how to support her and each other. Acceptance of what is now, and what may be coming is the first step towards finding peace within what comes.

Creativity in Action - Girl Climbing

Continuation ...

• How do I move into this role of caregiver of my 90-year-old mother? 
• When do I offer help and when do I wait? 
• Can I allow my mother to accept or decline the offer? 
• What emotions arise for me with either response? 

I am coming to understand that it serves the other person (and me) the best when I can remember to find myself in my center… to be in the present moment and allow my intuition to guide me. I can serve best by allowing them to be who they are in that moment.

Image This - Face Mask

Where has my mother gone? 

Who is this very different person in my life? 

As I sort through the myriad of questions, worries, surprises, and other thoughts that come with aging parents, I also sorted through the 72 JICT Images to see which ones spoke to me. The picture here is from that stack of images.

This last August, my 90-year-old mother was diagnosed with early Alzheimer’s Disease. Julia Harris was one of the most intelligent women I have ever known and now she is becoming a very different person. Many of us are… or will… become caregivers for parents with AD or other diseases as we age along with our parents. Some of us are caregivers of children with a chronic disease or results of an accident. Some of us support people recovering from a stroke. The list goes on… This musing is dedicated to what may support us as we move into the role of caregiver.

Hear Each Voice - Utilize the "Gut"

Continuation … Using the swan and chicks image, my client took the lead, prepared the agenda and offered it for review. Some rearranging took place which allowed all voices to be heard and set a more participatory tone for the meeting. Keeping the image of the mother leading the babies as her mantra, allowed her to really hear each voice at the table and better empathize with the needs of each person. 

In addition, paying attention to her gut, allowed her to know when to end each discussion and move on. The result was a very productive meeting with people feeling heard, truly engaged and leaving with a sense of ownership in the outcomes (as well as a task list for completion). 

I’m very interested to hear about the difference in this product launch vs. those in the past.

Noticing "Head" Leadership

Noticing “head” leadership … a client recently asked for coaching around what she called her method of leading a meeting; she was very focused on the agenda, what she had to cover, and getting through it all. Agendas were typically packed and she was on a mission to complete claiming to know that is what would allow her to be satisfied.

At the end of the meeting she had covered most items and yet found herself left with a void. As we explored what she expressed as “feeling hanging”, she uncovered that in an effort to complete; all voices had not been truly heard. Items were checked off the list however, there seemed to be little buy-in from team members. An image of the mother goose with her goslings allowed her to see that she can combine “head, heart, gut” as she leads next time. She is game to try it a different way! I’m very curious about what she notices … how about you? 

TO BE CONTINUED

More "head, heart, gut" musings...

More “head, heart, gut” musings … Of course, this question led me to consider how images inform the head, heart, gut, conversation. And do they ever … what amazing wisdom I tapped using the image of a mountain range with a lake in the center! 

Here are the results of my experiment …

The mountains/ lake /ravine image provided interesting reflections. Head leadership to navigate this terrain caused me angst and concern since I am not skilled in traversing mountains and valleys. Making a list furthered my trepidation since I was not even sure what I needed, that I had included all the necessities … I had little confidence in the list.

The next step of my experiment, was to tap into my “heart” wisdom … amazingly angst diminished since I was able to identify others I know who are adept with such terrains and I felt supported and all of a sudden very able to traverse with shared leadership. In allowing myself to be vulnerable, I was able to ask for support and enlist trusted experts to help guide the way. All of a sudden I gained amazing confidence though my skills had not changed.

Throughout the experiment, I paid attention to my gut reaction … when leading from my head (you know the drill, I have to know it all, have all the answers, be the expert) I was jittery, unstable and hesitant. Once I moved into heart leadership, I noticed that my breathing deepened, I was calm and grounded and I was smiling!

My experiment led me to post the image in my work space as a reminder to explore what is going on or what adjustments I want to make when my body is unsteady and I feel distracted. 

The key for me has become noticing the “gut” level response and choosing where to go from there. What image inspires you?

What Serves you best? Heart, Head or Gut?

The heart, head, gut leadership question still burns brightly for me. I used it for my daily reflection question recently and so many things came up for me… I’ll be sharing some musings (and experiences) in the next few posts … and would love to hear your reactions

At this point in my life, I lead with all three; I’ve come to value each one. 

Though I was programmed to value head, the heart was always there for me (often undervalued); I give it much higher value now. 

While I realize that I had gut responses all my life, I overlooked connecting them to the issue or topic at hand; gut has become a higher priority, too.  

Head = "logic" AND is a significant source of stress - the "shoulds" reside in the head. 

The heart and the gut are actually much more reliable sources to identify what serves ME (each of us individually) best.

What serves you best? Heart, Head or Gut? Or a mixture of all three?

Leadership Includes ALL Facets of Self!

The epicenter of “head” leadership is usually task focused …involves the to-do list, tasks at hand and completion

While the epicenter of “gut” leadership is more focused on responsiveness, action and outcomes …when my gut leads, I am almost forced to take action. 

And, the epicenter of “heart” leadership is largely centered in relationships … how I (and others) feel, are impacted by actions taken and are effected by results.

WOW! Why would I not want my leadership to include ALL facets of self? Watch for specific examples of each of these in future postings.

Do you lead with your head, heart or gut?

A friend on Facebook posed this question after an experience at a 2 day leadership academy: 

“Do you lead with your head, heart or gut”?

Interesting responses ….   

One response was: “Gut - Did you know you have more "nerves" in your gut than brain?”  Based on that, I've decided my gut is "smarter" than my brain.”

Another response suggested reading: “The Second Brain” Michael D. Gershon

Ponder it ... choose an image from the presentation link that inspires your response. 

Developing a Company Vision

The JICT Team was revisiting our company vision last December. Each of us was to bring forth some ideas for wording our vision at a meeting. The question was asked as to how we wanted to structure the discussion. After 5 or 10 minutes of discussion, one of us said, "well, duh... why don't we use the JICT Image cards?" So at the next meeting we each chose 3-4 images that reflected what we felt was our company vision. The words flowed from there... amazing how these images bring out words from the heart.