Coaching is More Than a Profession... Coaching is also a Calling.
by: Laurel Elders, MCC, CEC

​I am sure you have noticed. 

Now, more than ever, people are feeling more stuck, burnt out, frustrated and disconnected. Many times people are facing both home and work stress.

I am sure you have also noticed that people are starting to feel more and more doubtful that true change is possible.

​Each and every one of us are facing some heavyweight issues in modern society. Whether we want to talk about it, or not, this is the first time that we are now globally facing large-scale impact together.  
 
We also live in a time when we are bombarded with over-complicated tax forms, global warming debates (“It is real!” “It is fake!” “It is real!” “It is fake!”), politics meant to protect the greater good losing clout to the richest lobbyist, corporations not batting an eyelash for environmental impact or people's well-being, and eating meals feeling unsure if the genetically modified foods we now consume are contributing to the skyrocketing food allergies or cancer. Not small stuff. 
 
Head scratching. Heart sinking. Our nervous systems are on overload.

Yet, here is the thing… most people turn to bad habits to cope with these stressors. We turn to media addiction, to food, to overworking, to worrying, to fighting with loved ones or avoiding and checking out altogether. 
Krishna Murti once said something that powerfully relates to the modern-day human experience. He said, “It is not a sign of health to be well adjusted to a sick society.” 

In essence, there is a better way!
 
Of course, we are feeling burnt out, disconnected and tired. Yay, we invented virtual reality, but what about using our human intelligence to solve actual problems? What a concept. 
 
Of course, we are frustrated at work. Aren’t you tired of seeing the ways a manager could improve and then scratch your head when they do the opposite? 
 
Of course, we crave more! We know deep down that what is missing is living a life more integrated, healthy and attuned to a life purpose. Fulfillment comes from being a part of something bigger than us, being a part of a solution and leaving the world better than how we found it.  

Furthermore, linear thinking creates linear solutions. Linear solutions, produce more linear outcomes. The time for linear problem solving has come to an end. It is no longer working. We are living in a time when all aspects of the whole need to be considered in order to produce truly successful solutions. 

This is equally true globally as well as in our personal day-to-day lives. Whether you feel called to help global initiatives transform, or to help empower single-mothers to gain financial footing after a hardship, everyone benefits from an integrative framework. 

We call this type of problem-solving, Integrative Intelligence™.

You can make a huge difference in people's lives when you help them integrate their potentials. ​
 
You are also not alone in feeling the weight of a world that is in need of new approaches and feeling called to be apart of the solution. We do too.  

Your valuable insights on what is missing, and what isn’t working, can be turned into a catalyst for a positive future and leave other’s grateful to have crossed paths with you. 
 
You can use your life to turn around and help people turn their lives and work into happy and meaningful endeavors. 
 
You can put your own experiences, education, and wisdom towards empowering others.
 
Consider this… it doesn’t matter how long a room has been dark, all it takes is one light to illuminate it.

You can be that light for others. We show you how.
 
If you feel called to play a bigger role as a positive solution in people’s lives, then we invite you to learn more about the profound ways that coaching is positively shaping people’s lives and work. ​
 
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LEARN MORE ABOUT BECOMING A Certified Professional Coach 

I thrive when helping organizations and people connect the dots from where they are to where they want to be. That’s partly why my professional journey has zig-zagged to take advantage of leadership opportunities (scientist to the C-suite leader and business owner) that allowed me to contribute to different sectors, organizations, and teams. Often working from my home office, I’ve learned new ways to partner with resourceful people at all levels of an organization and how to adapt my leadership approach to support the success of my teams.
 
This brings me to why I decided to pursue coaching. As a consultant and thought partner to executives planning organizational and product transitions, I face the challenge of how to align the staff through the change I propose. I mentor key leaders, but until recently, I did not coach people through change. Thanks to the encouragement of my clients, I stepped outside my comfort zone and learned how to coach - what a difference it has made to every one of my interactions! I chose an integrative approach because it aligns with my systems thinking style to address organizational challenges. In those situations, successful change comes from understanding how the different components of the organizational system and ecosystem integrate and achieve the desired outcomes. People are no different – they must integrate aspects of themselves to thrive no matter the situation. I'm excited that I can now support them in that effort.
 
Today a strategic consultant and certified professional integrative coach for my company, E&A Innovation Group, I continue to learn alongside my clients as we explore what’s possible, identify new paths forward, and take the next step on our respective journeys.
 
I believe that anyone can be an exceptional leader of themselves, their teams, and their organization. That’s why I support purpose-driven people at all leadership levels and on disparate career journeys. I primarily coach individuals reimagining their leadership style or considering a career transition. Recent clients included: Organizational Leaders, Functional Directors, High Performing Managers, Business Owners, Academics, and STEM Professionals.
 
I’m proud of the dedication the coaching professionals have towards finding new approaches to make a difference in people’s lives. Coaches continue to help me learn ways to refine my coaching style as well as guide and inspire me on my life journey.
 
My biggest challenge, which I continue to work on today, is setting aside my drive to solve my client’s challenge! Decades of experience consulting and mentoring have honed my information gathering, advice-giving, and problem-solving habits. However, these habits are not supportive of great coaching partnerships. I’ve learned to table my desire for an outcome and focus on being curious about what my next coaching session will teach me. I often come away thinking ‘I have so much to learn from people!’
 
What I love most about being a professionally certified coach is that it has expanded my perspective on how I can support organizations and people and introduced me to a whole new network of great people. In short, it has kicked me out of my comfort zone in a big way and brought a lot of joy back into my professional life.


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​FOLLOW US AT: 
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/IntegrativeIntelligence
Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/integrativeIntelligence
LEARN MORE ABOUT BECOMING A Certified Professional Coach ​

Life Reflection: Limitless
by: Laurel Elders

​There are so many things I want to volunteer for, show up to, and spend time with. But with a heavy heart, I can't physically do everything I want to do, or all the things others want me to do. Can you relate?
 
Ironically, as a personal coach, we believe we are limitless! So, it seems like such a contradiction or limit that I've placed on myself to say no to anything I would LOVE to do. Right?! Not quite.
 
We do have daily physical external limits (like gravity, fast food intake, sleep, over-committing, time, money, etc.).  
 
My oldest son Alec always says, "If only I didn't have to sleep mom, I'd get so much done!" 
 
Totally! I completely get it. If I could be in five places at once and still perform daily with excellence, I'd be game! However, ignoring external limits is a risk to our overall health/vitality and impacts other areas of life. Ignoring these aspects of life can turn into power leaks.
 
Now, there is a side to our potential that is unlimited. This is the side in coaching we are speaking to. Coaching is designed to bring the limitless out in us when we are ready and willing. Not externally, but internally. 
 
Our internal game either launches us to great heights or brings us down, limiting our every move (often without us knowing it). One thought is all it takes to spiral into either direction! Just one. 
 
As always there is wisdom in the balance of opposites.  
 
We need to take a tightrope walk across the line of empowerment by honoring the external "limits" while surpassing internal "limits"!  Ignoring the first is a vice and the latter a virtue. 
 
Masterful coaching addresses both the internal and external apex of potential. It’s amazing the possibilities that can be unlocked!

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​FOLLOW US AT: 
Facebook: www.facebook.com/IntegrativeIntelligence
Instagram:  www.instagram.com/integrativeIntelligence
Become a Certified Professional Integrative Coach ​(CPIC)