5 lessons from 5 coaches about the individual and society
5 coaches give their perspective on what they have learned from their work about the individual and society.
Photo by SHVETS production
The work that coaches do with individuals reveals much about how the individual operates within the wider context of society. Coaches serve as trusted and active partners in guiding and supporting people through resolving some of their most pressing life challenges, and often play this role for dozens, or even hundreds of people. In this intimate capacity and diverse participation, coaches end up with one finger on the pulse of the dynamics between society and the individual.
What do coaches learn in their work about the dynamics of the individual and society?
Here are 5 insights on this topic by 5 coaches:
Meet the coaches
Jen’s takeaways on the individual and society:
We all want our lives to matter. The reality of our daily lives can take us away from feeling aligned with that intention. The moments of clarity and feeling alive exist, though, and coaching can support those to move from moments to a more sustained alignment.
For our social ecosystem to be healthy, we need to care about individuals’ wellbeing. Working to make the world a little better is such important work. And, we have to support people to also discover and live their full selves.
It is common to feel a blah feeling about life or parts of your life at times. It might come from a need to set boundaries, strengthen our confidence or develop an exercise habit. The light at the end of the tunnel is listening to that voice that wants to feel more fulfilled and then developing some tools to get there.
Erica’s takeaways on the individual and society:
The path to growth is infinite. Through our experiences and learning, we are never meant to stop evolving. We are able to choose the direction of our growth.
People are wholly unique, special, and powerful. Through coaching, it is an honor to learn about an individual’s innermost workings. Sharing expression of thoughts and emotions with another gives life to growth.
Despite our uniqueness, we share many similar struggles as we navigate the human condition. Adopting the lens of curiosity with which to view the world has promise to invite unity in the most challenging of times.
Jonathan’s takeaways on the individual and society:
Our understanding of our place in life continues to grow as we do. When we allow our mind, body and soul to work in unison, our spirit will soar.
Relationships are the cornerstone to our ability to feel successful. As we navigate through our responsibilities to ourselves, others and our society, we experience our greatest joys through our ability to connect deeply with others. The sharing of the journey remains even after the physical connection is lost.
If we face the obstacles that we each experience in life with an openness to all of the various possibilities, we also open to the door from within to begin to see many pathways to our desired outcome.
Cristina’s takeaways on the individual and society:
We are each whole beings who at times, need someone to witness and walk with us to unblock our shift away from presence. When we can connect deeply to ourselves, we have the capacity to give back to society the gifts that power human advancements and growth.
Gabe Kwakyi, Life/Leadership Coach & Founder of The Musing Mind. Gabe Kwakyi is a writer, coach & entrepreneur with 10 years of life/leadership experience. Gabe is deeply passionate about empowering others.
Gabe’s takeaways on the individual and society:
We as individuals in a highly interconnected and comparison-oriented society frequently struggle with self-deprecating narratives. These can include “I’m not good enough” or “just being myself is not good enough,” as well as “I can’t say no,” or “I have to do X, otherwise this person will be disappointed in me.”
We also often feel as though we are alone in our struggles, but in reality this assumption is just another self-deprecating narrative. Most people actually struggle with very similar narratives, such as imposter syndrome and the compulsion to please others at the expense of ourselves.
We can reduce the prevalence of such harmful, yet culturally ingrained narratives in society at-large by learning to be more gentle with ourselves, and increasing our self-reflection and self-awareness.
That’s all for today – thanks for reading! Learn more about how working with a personal development coach can help you to live a more fulfilling life, sign up for my newsletter, and stay tuned for more self-discovery essays!