Learning and Renewal at 2014 ICF Midwest Conference in Cleveland
I attended a wonderful conference last week, the 2014 ICF Global Midwest Conference in Cleveland.
This was a wonderful time for coaches to gather and learn from each other. I met some fascinating people! I would like to share a few ideas I learned that might be useful in your business life or in your job search.
This blog will focus on ideas useful in your business life.
Richard Boyzatis, a professor at Case Western University specializing in resonate leadership and emotional intelligence, gave the keynote speech opening the conference.
He gave us an exercise to kick off the session that was particularly interesting.
You became who are you are today from the relationships you had in the past.
Pick a few of those important people. What did they say to you that made a positive impact? How do you feel when you think about those people and those stories?
Try this right now.
I imagined my father. He pursued adventures and stretched himself intellectually, spiritually, and physically all the time. Even so he was a quiet man and a little fearful. He taught me to stretch despite your fears. He had a strong impact on my life. When I think of him I become more adventurous; I put my fears aside and try something new. I feel warm and confident when I think of him.
When I experience this warm feeling I get a sense of excitement and openness. This feeling is actually a release. It is a wonderful stress antidote!
Dr. Boyzatis said that we are hardwired to pick up emotions from other people that sense their stress intuitively, without realizing it. The emotional energy that leaders and coaches send out are more powerful than the words they say or even their actions because people pick them up unconsciously.
If you are in a bad mood, other people will notice it without realizing what they are noticing. You would be so much more effective and have a much more positive reaction on those around you if you feel uplifted.
If you feel uplifted others around you will feel uplifted.
This positive energy will make the day more positive; work will happen faster, better, more positively. It is like magic! But it is real.
He says it starts with a vision. Know what you want and why. Then take action to make it happen. Engage in some activity that renews you so you can send out positive energy. For example, mediate or pray to a loving God, get physical exercise, take a walk, or laugh. These actions counterbalance stress and renew our spirit. This opens us to joy which is contagious.
What have you done recently to renew yourself?
