Through COVID and the other side

Through COVID and out the other side: highlights and lessons from our Coaching Café Year

Coming together as an Alumni for our Coaching Cafés every week is a highlight of our year. In addition, offering continuing coach education CCEU credits towards ICF credentials. Without a doubt, together we have coached through COVID and out the other side. At the same time, focussing on connection, community and stretching our coaching skills. For this reason we take this opportunity to celebrate a year of highlights and key lessons in leadership.

Highlight 1: Our ability to adapt

Coaching is not hard. It’s changing our habits that is hard. Sir John Whitmore

Without a doubt we all had to adapt this year. Moreover, we not just once, but several times. Our ability to adapt during difficult times defines us as a leader. Consequently, the Coaching Café webinars feature: coaching people under stress – responding on personality type. Along with coaching virtual teams and troubleshooting. In addition to trouble-shooting working from home.

Highlight 2: Leading change

No matter what people tell you, words and ideas can change the world. Robin Williams

A CEO of a major law firm once told me: anyone can lead an organisation through the good times. It’s the true leaders that step up during the difficult times. Without a doubt we step up. As coaches we have been there for our clients to enable them to lead change. And in doing so, we learn lessons about vulnerability, asking for help, and being authentic when leading change.

Webinars on these topics, include coaching through change – should we though the models out. As well as one of the most popular webinars around forming, storming, norming. Along with calmness as an attractive leadership quality. Furthermore, why leaders need to ask for help.

Highlight 3: Focus on communication

I fear the day that technology will surpass our human interaction. The world will have a generation of idiots. Albert Einstein

Wow, I wonder what Albert Einstein would think now. Our communication was challenged this year. The need for a focus on communication and human interaction is so important. As is flexibility in our communication. To find the right balance was a definitely a highlight and a key lesson. That balance between connection and virtual meeting fatigue.

To demonstrate our commitment to communication, we webinar topics feature: the 5 levels of conversation. In addition, how to give feedback when working from home. Similarly addressing ‘I don’t have ten minutes’. Along with a 100% better way to do performance conversations. Furthermore, getting the mindset right for performance conversations.

Highlight 4: Focus on mental health

What mental health needs is more sunlight, more candor, more unashamed conversation. Glenn Close.

Open Door initiated mental health first aid training, long before COVID put a spotlight on mental health. Especially, this year we trained hundreds of people in mental health awareness and spotting the signs of mental health issues. At the same time, raised funds for Black Dog Institute with our 900km walking challenge. Without a doubt, we make a difference in this area across the alumni. Consequently, we are better colleagues, friends and family members because of this commitment.

Highlights during Mental Health Awareness week 2020 and lessons include: how to start a conversation about mental health with a colleague. In addition, recognising the signs of anxiety and depression in the workplace. Furthermore, resilience – what does that mean right now?

Highlight 5: Focus on self and continuous development

The more you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you’ll go. Dr Seuss.

Oh the places we can go through a focus on our learning and development. Especially this year, the Coaching Café’s enables us to do that together. Without a doubt it is a forum to draw lessons from each other.

Topics include: keeping up the momentum and motivation. Also, breaking the procrastination, bingeing and perfection cycle. Importantly, taking a 30-minute holiday. Furthermore, trends in coaching – unpacking the ICF Global coaching study. Along with a range of webinars that featured cool coaching tools from our coaching programs. Particularly some advanced tools. All leading to ICF CCEU’s.

Thank you

Finally, a thank you to all the people who join us throughout the year. Your contribution and connection is so valuable. Furthermore, a thanks to all those who listen to the recordings. We hear that you are running, vacuuming, and listening in your car. Whatever way you connect, we are grateful. Without a doubt we are looking forward to a new year. Especially the highlights and lessons that it may bring.

But first, a break.

Happy holidays everyone.

Enjoy your coaching.