Coaching business leaders isn’t always a straight and narrow journey. We know that a successful coaching relationship is defined by the tangible results or changes that have occurred. It is important to set specific outcomes for working together at the start of the relationship, yet we also know that, for any change to occur, it is vital to understand an individual’s motivation behind the behaviors that are creating the current results. I’m sure you’ve heard the definition of insanity—doing the same things over and over but expecting different results. Well, for a coaching relationship to be successful, we have to understand not only what the behaviors are that the individual has been doing, but we also have to understand what drives that individual to do those specific behaviors. That can get a little dicey but unless we go there, real change cannot happen.
The Enneagram, a motivation-based personality model, has been the tool we’ve used to help our clients discover, name, and explore inner motivation. The Enneagram describes nine distinctly different motivations that, once identified, provide insights into the mental, emotional, and behavior patterns that result from this motivational drive. Once motivation and patterns are identified, we can go to work to identify if the patterns are supportive or non-supportive in getting the individual closer to the desired outcomes. Typically, the non-supportive patterns are habits that are operating automatically (meaning unconsciously), so part of our work together is to examine the non-supportive patterns and work to develop and begin employing more supportive patterns that create the results desired.
We’ve found this approach to be the straightest path toward long-lasting change. All too often when we get hired, we get feedback that prior coaching efforts haven’t worked, that change occurred for a little bit but then the individual reverted back to the old behaviors. If you really want long-lasting change, look at motivation—why you do what you do—and the mental, emotional and behavioral patterns that result from that driving motivation, and then get to work on identifying what you need to change to create the results you want.
This approach is for people who are serious about change, and for those who understand the value of having the right support to help them along the way. As we always say, “It’s an inside out job.”
Are you wanting to overcome a behavioral pattern that keeps you stuck? Is it time to step out of your comfort zone and reach that next level of success? Don’t wait a minute longer. Reach out to us, and let’s explore how you can gain the insights you need and want to create the business growth, relationships and life you truly desire.
Theresa Gale
PRINCIPAL, TRANSFORM, INC.
