All your leadership goals are welcome from business launches, to creating group harmony. My own inspiration led me away from working as a psychotherapist working with individuals into more authentic entrepreneurial work, including creating this coaching and skills modality. I’ve always found work with leaders to be particularly fulfilling because my support of you has greater impact as you, in turn, empower others. I understand the challenges of trying to operate amidst outdated paradigms. You may clearly see dysfunctional behavior and systems and this same dysfunction blocks your solutions. We all lead in some capacity as influencers, managers, teachers, and parents and our jobs are much easier with empowering strategies.

Inspiration vs. Motivation

Cultivating inspired engagement is far more effective than relying on motivation, a system of behavioral training that uses rewards and negative consequences. We’ve been taught to think that inspiration and passion come and go without our direction, but in fact we learn to access what is already within us.  Inspiration harnesses positivity and genuine interest. Sometimes we do need to motivate ourselves and others to do things that are difficult or uninteresting.  Sapphire Leadership Coaching uses traditional behavioral strategies, as needed, but encourages integrating inspiration-based strategies because they lead to more of what you want with much more ease. It’s quite simple. The art and science of a alignment with our highest connection is inherently rewarding. As people experience this energized and fearless focus, they co-create without resistance.

Leadership challenges inevitably arise but our response determines whether or not they perpetuate patterns or inspire improvement. We all want to minimize setbacks and prevent them from happening in  the first place. The sooner we can get to a place where we recognize the potential for growth, even in the midst of the mess, the better. The process I offer helps you and your teams organize your ideas and goals from an practical, empowered place where learning is truly valued.

Nurture the Seedlings

Have you ever noticed yourself doubt a new idea, just after thinking it? I watch my clients share inspired solutions, then, sure enough just a few moments later-- they list all the reasons why the their great idea (and it is great, all inspired ideas are) is too expensive, will take too long, is too self-indulgent, and so on. It can be discouraging to watch all the ideas wither. True inspiration is uninhibited and comes directly from or is confirmed by the confident, wise Intuition. The only thing that should be squashed is the doubt. The automatic doubt response develops after years of exposure to negative voices outside us, like  parents, teachers, the media, and other influences. The good news is that your Intuition will continue to sprout new ideas and you can learn to nurture the creative flow with help from your critical thinking. Of course not all inspired ideas will make the final cut, but we want to cultivate a receptive attitude to this wise source. As with all true leadership, you’ll want to encourage this in others too, particularly from quieter participants who might feel hesitant to speak up.

Happy at the Top

I’ve seen many clients over the years who’ve wondered if they may have so-called “imposter syndrome”. I say “so-called” because, as real as that can feel, labels can add to the problem and cause you to feel even more stuck since labels reflects and reinforces beliefs of self-doubt. You’re not an imposter and you don’t have a syndrome. You and anyone who feels un-ready or unworthy has a habit. We are all are deserving of the success we desire. Believing that is the only thing that needs to be corrected, because it is the root of the self-doubt and, eventually, self-fulfilling behavior. The first step is to step back and observe your mental, emotional and behavioral habits. They either cultivate a sense of “rightness” or “wrongness” about what comes your way. It’s normal to feel an overwhelmed, “who me?” apprehension in response to leadership. It will continue happening to the degree that our confidence lags behind. All that’s needed is an action plan to close this gap; to upgrade your beliefs, thoughts feelings and behavior. The sooner it’s addressed the better because you’ll be better able accept future successes.