What an amazing week! Week I of MCG's Equine Assisted Coaching Training Program was a smashing success! Kathy Esper, one of our students says,

"Our week was the perfect combination of intellectual stimulation (systemic coaching model) and deep fulfillment of my heart (work with the horses) and I am so grateful to you and Johanna for creating this program and the space!"

I am the one who is grateful. I have been putting my desire to do this work out to the powers that be for the last 3 years and I am now feeling and seeing the return on that energetic investment.

This program is based upon MetaSystem Consulting Group's Multi-level Systemic Coaching model http://www.metacg.com/mls_coaching.shtml and The Epona approach to equine experiential learning http://taoofequus.com/. It is for coaches, consultants, therapists, leaders, managers and HR professionals.

At the end of the program, these professionals will be able to integrate equine experiential learning through the multi-level systemic coaching model into their already existing practices.

Week I of four weeks over the course of 2008 focused on Setting the Foundation, one of the Core Competencies of the International Coach Federation. The week had a rhythm of didactic experiential learning and 'classroom work' and was spent outside near the barn, with the horses in Wellington, Florida. We used this rhythm as an opportunity to step into different roles and perceptions simultaneously. Because the coaching model is multi-level and systemic everything was information to deepen both the experience and learning process.

We focused on many things in setting the foundation for a powerful coaching relationship. Among them:

• The coaching agreement— What happens first?
  
• Assessment/Diagnosis as a continual tool— Because everything is information, continual assessment is critical to powerful coaching.
  
• How to develop and maintain a systems perspective— The ability to see the whole picture and how it is interacting with each other allows for the multi-level perspective.
  
• The coach's role in influencing and impacting the relationship— What part are you playing in creating the relationship and its results?

A powerful guiding assumption of this program is that:

Coaching is a relationship. Therefore, how you are being in the relationship impacts the outcome. Exploring , discovering and transforming yourself first is necessary for you be a clear conduit for an outcome that has the most value for your client.

All of the above work was supported by powerful experiential learning with the horses. In Weeks II through IV will go deeper into these experiences and learning. As we progress, so will the participant's ability to coach and facilitate these experiences from the multi-level systemic perspective.

The entire Equine Assisted Coach Training Program comes from MCG's Operating Principles http://www.metacg.com/axioms.shtml. Assisting organizations to change, grow and develop over the past 25 years has given MetaSystem Consulting Group the opportunity to identify certain consistent patterns in their operating systems. In keeping with our partnership approach to coaching and consulting, we have taken these common operating patterns of our clients and developed much of our methodology around them.

The Equine Assisted Coach Training Program is the next evolution of the principles. Take a look. As always, we welcome your comments and questions.

Stay tuned for a report from Week II, June 23-27.

A context for life and leadership.

Assisting organizations and individuals to change, grow and develop over the past 25 years has given MetaSystem Consulting Group the opportunity to identify certain consistent patterns in their operating systems. In keeping with our partnership approach to consulting, we have taken these common operating patterns of our clients and developed much of our coaching and consulting methodology around them.

We call these our MCG Operating Principles http://www.metacg.com/axioms.shtml. There are 10 of them.

Because of their particular relevance to getting into action and the fact that I have had personal experience with them this past week, I would like to share #'s 4 and 5 with you.

#4 Start at the beginning — or — Relationships, internal/external or leadership/management; begin at the moment of contact.
In an effort to expose the real causes of problems or reveal opportunities for organizations and individuals to evolve, we explore different layers. We have discovered time and again that if we dig deep enough, potential for both problems and opportunities were present at the very 'beginning'. Awareness of this alleviates a lot of expensive time spent on trying to fix recurring symptoms of a problem. Once you get down to the real causes, then these issues can be addressed and maintained. A band-aid will not cure a viral infection.

#5 Sensitivity to initial condition — or — The impact of the initial agreement is exponential.
This builds on #4. Whatever happens in the beginning just keeps on growing. If it is clarity and trust within a business deal, that firm foundation supports the partnership through thick and thin. If doubt and negativity accompany the launch of a new project or product, that same darkness seems to follow it throughout its usually problem fraught life. Building awareness of this condition into contracts and agreements creates firm foundations that keep business and relationships strong and on track producing amazing results.

I know this. I coach and consult from this place. Even so, this past week, I needed to revisit these words of wisdom.

In beginning a coaching relationship last month, for some reason, I decided to forgo the usual tools and framework that supports these principles. Both the client and I have been paying for it ever since.

I say the client because as a result of not paying attention to what was being revealed in the process, I became ineffectual as his coach, validating his feeling that there was not enough value in the relationship as well as his fear of true commitment to the process. And as #5 tells us, "whatever happens in the beginning just keeps on growing".

I am paying for it by playing into his patterns rather than helping him reveal them. It has also cost me a great deal of time and focus trying to get it all straight, if that is possible. Unfortunately, we are still in the process...

Upon reflection, I have to say a lot of this was probably due to money. Yes, in spite of so much work on developing my own awareness, maybe my insecurity and need for monetary 'safety' was the motivation behind this oversight. You know, just get it started and worry about the rest later. Then at least we will have the contract, and the money. I am wondering how many times I have to learn this one.

A great deal of my coaching comes from my own lessons in life. Therefore, as a result of my recent experience I offer you the opportunity to move into action from a place of clarity and awareness. Ask yourself:

• What are my assumptions around this action?
  
• What outcomes do I expect?
  
• Are these in alignment with other people involved in the action?
  
• What structures, agreements or contracts do I have in place to support the clarity of action and outcome?
  
• What agreed upon indicators do I have in place as milestones for success or trouble?
  
• Am I paying attention to what is happening from the moment of contact?
  
• What does this information tell me about this person or circumstance?
  

This sounds like coaching. But I also think it is a life thing.

A context for life and leadership.

Zen and not pushing....are we done yet?

I don't think I will ever be done, however I do think that I have learned a great deal, and had some deep contemplations and insights as a result of visiting my world from this perspective. I hope this has added some value to those of you who have communicated with me that you have been keeping up with the series. Thanks for the support.

I have the feeling that the next couple of months are important ones. I have started the year and established my Zen context and it seems to be working well.

Now is the time for action!

How many hours have been spent on trying to figure out the right formula for getting into action? As I begin moving, it is worthwhile to spend a little more time looking at this.

Over the last 15 years of coaching and consulting, I have come to recognize 2 categories of people in my clients and colleagues:

• Those that have to have all their 'ducks in a row' before they move into action; a lot of research and information with the potential of 'paralysis by analysis'.
  
• Those that 'just do it'; less information more big picture vision. The potential here is missing important details that insure successful execution, completion and longevity.

I would like to offer a third context for getting into action.

How does it make you feel?

The most important indicators for me to get into action are how I feel and my energy. So, I ask myself one question:

Does the prospect of this project/action give me energy, or take it away?

Let me give you an example.

I have a Equine Assisted Coach training program, http://www.metacg.com/upcoming_events.shtml, that begins in April and several people have told me I have a lot of guts to do it because it is a new field and I am if not the only, certainly one of the few who offer this. I don't agree that it takes guts because the answer to my question when considering this program was unequivocally this gives me energy. I am acting from my passion for coaching and horses! Yes, it is off the beaten corporate track and I do feel like a pioneer, but that gives me energy.

In contrast, I received a call from a very large and prestigious corporate group for coaching and consulting last week. As I was speaking to this person about the prospect of moving into action together, I realized that I was unconsciously 'spinning' what we offer to fit her request. In that moment, I became aware of how I felt and I was tired; very tired. The prospect of entering into a traditional coaching and consulting relationship from my 'work persona' was taking my energy away.

With that awareness I sighed and began to speak from my heart about what we do and its potential value for her and her company. The more I spoke the better I felt and more energy I had to really listen to her questions and answer them honestly. What initially felt like a really bad sales call ended up over an hour later with all parties interested in moving forward and into action toward the next step. Whatever the final outcome, I know I am not getting into action around a situation that takes my energy away.

So the next time you find yourself in a quandary about getting into action about something, stop and think what you need to get moving.

• Are you an 'all my ducks in a row' type of person? Identify and collect the information you need to move, but move it the operative word.
  
• Are you a 'just do it' person? Be sure you haven't overlooked some important detail that will come back to haunt you.
  
• Most importantly, how do you feel when you contemplate this action?
  
• Does this action give you energy?
  
• Does this action take your energy away?

I'm not promoting any one style. I am simply observing life in motion. And I know for certain that this makes me feel good and gives me energy.

A context for life and leadership.

In my continual quest for not pushing I came across this from Linda Kohanov's new book, Way of the Horse: Equine Archetypes for Self-Discovery; A Book of Exploration and 40 cards. www.taoofequus.com . It perfectly supports the whole concept. I thought I would share it with you.

Illustrations by Kim McElroy
http://spiritofhorse.com/store/store/comersus_viewitem.asp?idproduct=215

"Card #12 Authentic Power

• Physical Collection
  
• Balance and Agility
  
• Strength and Vitality in Service to Higher Goals

The Gift
Body, mind and spirit join forces to channel tremendous power.

The Challenge
True power encompasses more than physical fitness. Whether you're riding a horse, developing a new idea, or guiding a company, you must learn to tap potential without taxing it."

Wow! What a concept! This is exactly what I have been talking about. When using the words authenticity and power in the same sentence with horses, I get clarity and perspective on what the art of not pushing really means.

And from this perspective it seems that as I go about negotiating my business into a life of balance and abundance, I would do well to remember what it feels like when I am sitting on a horse.

When riding a horse, I need to reassess my whole idea about making things move. If I try to push, dominate or physically force the horse to move into action, or stop for that matter, I will never win. They are just too big and strong. However, if I practice not pushing and come from my authentic power, I can instantly see and feel the positive results I have been so sure were there, if only I could find them.

Sounds interesting, but how does this work? Especially for non-riders?

It comes down to mindfulness.

The next time you find yourself in a place where no matter what you do, you just can't get anywhere, ask yourself:

• How centered or balanced am I?
• Am I in the present? Or am I thinking about what just happened or may happen as a result of this present moment?
• Am I ready to adapt to the moment? Or am I set on things being just the way I envision them?
• Am I prepared to make decisions? Not only decisions of which I am already aware; decisions in response to what is happening in the present moment.
• Am I welcoming possibility? Or is my current agenda the sole measure of success?

How can we be mindful of all of these things at once? As Kohanov reminds us, "...while this combination sounds hopelessly paradoxical to the human mind, horses take it all in stride, teaching us to become masters of our own bodies, minds, and spirits as we aspire to ride theirs."

I am continually humbled through being in relationship with my horses. I am so grateful for these amazing teachers. For them, mindfulness is a state of being.

For more on Kim McElroy's check out Link to Kim's site!
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A context for life and leadership.

For not pushing it seems like I have been doing a lot. This brings us to Part 3 of Zen and the art of Not Pushing: the fine line between doing and not pushing.

All of my clients who are open to adopting this Zen and Not Pushing approach to their lives and/or work ask me the same question: 'How do I know when I should do or not push?' The answer I hear myself giving is about developing awareness and discernment....

Just being in action for the sake of action has become somewhat of an epidemic in our society; both in business and personally. For most of my clients, their search for grounded abundant life in balance has made it necessary to take a closer look at what they are doing.

For example, over the past couple of weeks I have accomplished more than I have in the last 2 months. When I realized this, I had to contemplate whether I was pushing or not. Was I in action for the sake of being in action, or was I in right action? What awareness did I need to be able to make this discernment?

Because this journey into grounded abundance and a life in balance is still new for me, I developed a few questions to ask myself when I get in this situation. I pass them onto you.

• Why am I doing what I am doing?
  
• Am I clear about what needs to happen and why?
  
• Am I coming from my head or my gut? Using the entire body as a sensory device to give me information that informs my actions is both critical and fascinating. See my blog Strategic Planning through Fear and Vulnerability for more on this.
  
• Is what I am doing giving me energy or taking it away?

If I have the awareness to take the time and ask these questions and really listen to the answers, I can discern between pushing and not doing in most situations. And I am attracting results. Different results than when I push. Better results. Just the results I really want. I am continually amazed by the entire process.

I am finding that this whole life balance thing can be pretty simple. However, I often insist that it be very difficult. Hence the series of blogs as I work through it. Any thoughts or validations???

A context for life and leadership.

Interesting week. Two new clients, one in the area of Equine Assisted Coaching, http://www.coachingtoys.com my favorite thing to do, and one corporate transition coaching client who is moving to the next place in her career/life. Then there is one of my current clients with whom I have been working for years both in coaching and Organization Development, who has been offered a major promotion in his company. What an amazing feeling! I am always so happy to hear that people find value in the work we are doing together.

Let's get this straight...

• I get to do what I love most and get paid for it.
  
• Helping someone with their transition strengthens my journey through my own transition.
  
• I actually get to see concrete results of a long-term coaching and consulting relationship.

How did this happen while 'not pushing'? This week's answer is ...

Qigong, the specific art of cultivating life energy, vitality and vigor.

All I can say is Milton Rivera. (gigonghealing@gmail.com). Milton is a healer with 18 years of study in the field. Born in El Salvador, he moved to the States at 19 and started studying the ancient art of Qigong. "I do more than break blockages," he says. "I teach people how to break them themselves."

Milton came down to do some work on me and several others in Wellington, FL this week. I was definitely in a different place as a result of this healing work. The connection to and healing of myself is a way for me to experience my deepest power. I believe this awareness extends to what is in my environment. That includes the clients that come to me as well as the ones with whom I am already in relationship. The next step is to become more established in it. Milton and Qigong are definitely in my future.

Keep in mind, as I certainly have to almost every day, that being clear about what you want, thinking strategically about it and having a plan are critical to establishing a foundation to attract abundance without a lot of pushing. Although this is what I coach and consult on, I can still get stuck in thinking that I have to press so hard in each of these areas and control it all. Qigong helps me to let go of it all, breathe and trust that I have done all I can for the moment. At least until the next time I feel the need to control...

A context for life and leadership.

The first in a series...
As I move into this new year, with not a great deal of energy as a result of last year, I realize that I want to experience life and work this year in a different way. In fact, not posting this blog since October is one of the manifestations of my lack of time and energy at the end of last year. I am ready to change that.

This may be easier said than done. Have you ever gotten out of the habit of something and then kept thinking you needed to get back into the habit of it but didn't? Then the guilt came. Then the denial. Then, viola!, You just don’t think about it anymore? Well, that is the case with my blog posting.

Then I had another thought, with the help of my partner, Paul Kwiecinski at Face The Music, http://www.facethemusicblues.com. I don't have to make it so hard. Not just posting this blog, anything and everything!

A series of blogs on Zen and the art of not pushing...A context for life and leadership is my solution to this situation, at least in the short term. These postings will be about how this context is manifesting in my life and, in turn, how that is adding value to my client's life.

Take last week for example. Feedback I got at the end of a 2 day leadership retreat with a corporate leadership team ranged from "thank you for meeting us where we are" to "you are the best meeting facilitator I have ever seen" to "we get so much work done with you it's unbelievable". The results in this strategic session were what they wanted AND they find them so valuable they have booked another 2-day in April and plan to do them quarterly.

I didn't ask for the feedback. Pretty amazing for not pushing.

What happened differently?

• I didn't insist on my agenda--in fact I didn't do one at all.
  
• I listened to them. Not just waiting to say something. I really listened.
  
• I didn't feel like I had to DO something just to validate my presence.
  
• I trusted that when I needed to add something, I would know and it would be the right thing at the right time.

I guess we will see what happens next. In the meantime, you might try not pushing. Scary, believe me I know. But I just don't have the energy for it anymore.

I am always wondering about or doing something concrete toward developing my authenticity and integrating it more into my business coaching. Well, this week has been no exception; however, I am amazed at what I discovered!

This particular part of my journey took me back to a client that I have had for a long time, but rarely felt that I was able to give them the most value possible. I was sure that this was due more to their perspective of value rather than mine. When asked to do the job of coaching a leadership team on some strategic and short term issues, I balked and as much as said, I didn’t think this was a good thing for them or me.

Feeling both nervous that they would take me seriously and agree with me, and elated that I had gently but firmly set my own boundary of authenticity, I contemplated my actions. However, as life would have it, they called to confirm the time of arrival and the objectives for the 2-day retreat.

I took a deep breath of relief, or was it annoyance, and began preparations.

To my surprise, and come to find out theirs, I was able to respond to them from my most powerful place. The meeting ended up being an amazing blend of my 15 years of coaching and consulting and my love and passion, the relationship work with the horses—but without the horses.

I was so surprised to find that when in my own authenticity, what I know and what I love organically worked together, for the greater good—the client’s and mine. It was so effortless. I found myself in my favorite place with a corporate team! This something I have been working for years to do.

How is this possible? My husband and consulting partner Paul Kwiecinski observed that by my becoming aware of and honoring my boundaries I was able to take the risk to question the same old path we had been taking as client and coach/consultant for the past 7 years. This created an opening for something new and powerful to happen in our relationship. That along with the Multi-Level Systemic Coaching, the methodology I am using that combines coaching, organization development consulting and energy science. If you want to know more about this, look under Coaching Solutions on our site.

Who would have thought that what I have been saying for years is actually true? I guess to get something different; you have to do something different. The difference for me was my authenticity. Not always so comfortable, but very effective! What a journey...

Wow! I just finished another Way of the Horse workshop up here at Bushwood Farm near Woodstock, NY. This time the theme was Create Your Future Through the Way of the Horse.

A small group of us took advantage of the incredible weather this time of year, crisp light, reds and yellows on the trees and a lot of sunshine to spend some time accessing a part of ourselves that we normally don’t, with the help of the horses.

Horses live completely in the present, they don’t know about future. So how does planning your future intersect with horses? What better way to create your future than from being fully present in the here and now? So, that’s what we did.

Each time I create the space and opportunity to do this work I am equally amazed by the beauty and potential that the horses reveal to us by mirroring who we truly are. Because they are animals of prey they have highly developed sensory awareness systems. To them everything, including emotions, is information that tells them they should flee or graze. With humans their behavior is a reaction to our emotions, even if we aren’t aware of them. Because as humans we exist mostly in our heads, we not only ignore what we feel, we often mistake these feelings for something they aren’t. Horses teach us about feeling emotions and the information they have for us.

For example....Fear vs. Vulnerability.

Fear

Message
Intuitive, focused awareness of something that is a threat to our physical, mental, emotional, or spiritual well being
Questions to ask of the emotion
What is the threat?
What action must I take to move to a position of safety?
Intensification
Worry, anxiety, Confusion, dulling of senses, Panic, terror, dissociation

Vulnerability

Message
Something significant is about to change or be revealed
Questions to ask of the emotion
What wants to happen and how does this seem to threaten the status quo?
What belief, behavior, or perception is being challenged?
Intensification
Panic, Anger

Working with the horses gives us the opportunity to make a distinction between these two powerful emotions. Being able to do so is critical for moving forward. Fear, our reaction to a real physical threat, informs immediate actions that can save our lives. Vulnerability is an indicator that we are growing—by letting go of what is no longer serving us.

Where are you right now? Is it time to flee for your life, or question what is happening in the present that can change or evolve and Create Your Future?

This is just the beginning...There are so many full emotions for us to embrace as we live. The first step is awareness, and then the journey begins. Welcome.

To learn more about Karla McLaren’s and Linda Kohanov’s Messages Behind Emotions, contact me at Lisa@metacg.com.

This morning I got to the heart of a matter that has been darkening my thoughts since it occurred. I couldn't understand why these events kept playing over and over in my mind. Now I know there was something deeper going on...

In retrospect, I realize that I became part of the client's problem rather than offering a solution. I couldn't see what was happening and how I was adding to the dysfunction of the client system. This doesn't often happen to me so I knew something was amiss, but what? This morning I was able to see things from a different perspective, a deeper perspective than just a coach/client perspective. This is about me and how I see things, not them...

Consulting/coaching 101--There is a fine line between going with the flow and structuring everything. Not everyone can follow the thread back to the heart of the matter--and if they can, they often don't for the journey isn't often an easy one!

I am finding that in my joy and willingness to not know, I lose track of what I do know and my response-ability to offer that to my client. The good news is that this is yet another step on the road to the heart. The bad news is, how much does the good news cost? For them and for me.

Going forward, things to keep in mind...What is done is done, this client and I will continue or not, and it is important for me to be aware of how/when I share these insights with the client for their greatest value not mine.

Take aways from this experience....I am in relationship with my clients. How I react to and interact with their client system determines the value of that relationship. Hmmm....I knew that. I guess I needed a refresher.