Happy Monday, Kids!
As the end of the year approaches (and holy cow, how did THAT happen so fast?), I thought it would be a good idea to re-introduce you to my coaching practice, the engine that propels it, and the philosophy I subscribe to. So, as I sit down to a little afternoon Cuban coffee that my mom just made…
I get the question a lot: What kind of coach are you? The short answer: I’m a communication coach. The long answer:
In emotionally charged or important moments, people often struggle with what to say, how to say it, or whether to say anything at all. I hear it all the time. Someone pisses us off, pushes a button, crosses a line in some way, and for those of us who tend to avoid difficult conversations, we latch on to Reason Number 178 to say nothing and move on.
Reasons abound. Some of the biggest hits in my life are:
- It’s not worth it.
- They won’t understand.
- It won’t change anything.
- I don’t want trouble.
- I have bigger problems.
- They have bigger problems.
Any of these sound familiar? If not, there’s nothing you need to change, so thanks for stopping by!
If they do sound familiar, then welcome. You’re the one I created Light of Day for. Why? Because I have been you. I know first-hand how detrimental it can be to bury your words, and I know how liberating it is to speak them.
I use a blend of coaching skills that are centered around the language of Nonviolent Communication (NVC), created by the amazing Dr. Marshall B. Rosenberg. Don’t let the “violent” part throw you. In NVC, statements like, “You make me feel like crap,” “You don’t seem to care,” and “I feel like a failure,” all fall under the heading of “violent.” Using NVC as our true north, I can coach you through the process of sifting through those statements, whatever they might be, and determining what they mean, what needs and values they reveal, and how to better express them.
I will share more about NVC in later posts. For now, I highly recommend the book Nonviolent Communication: A Language of Life. Even if you’re not in the throes of confrontation, I can almost guarantee that it will change your perspective on everyday conversations with the people in your life.
Onward and upward, Superheroes. You’ve almost made it through another Monday.
S
Light of Day Coaching LLC 