Emotional Agility; The New Frontier in Coaching Part II
In Part I of the teleclass on Developing Emotional Agility, The New Frontier in Coaching, we explored the different definitions from people on the call. We also explored specific conditions that when present, create a container to support this development. In Part II of the blog and August 19th teleconference, http://equinealchemy.com/workshops.php#13, we will continue to make the connection between recognizing yours and others emotions and getting into action around this awareness.
Emotional intelligence is a critical part of emotional agility. By becoming aware of our emotions and feelings, we access an intelligence from our bodies that is separate from our cognitive processing. Living and acting from both cognitive and emotional intelligence is the ultimate mind body connection. Living from this integration enables us to thrive rather than survive in our personal and professional relationships.
As I continue to coach executives and leaders in the corporate world as well as entrepreneurs and small business owners, I am struck by the one thing they have in common. Each of them is sure that what they knew before, what got them to where they are now, is not necessarily going to get them to their next place. For them there is something missing; they can't find the answers; they must be there--but where?
Developing emotional agility is at the heart of the work we do together. This work, which I learned from the horses, we do in the office without any horses around! We explore how they have made decisions and created actions in the past--and it has been a predominantly cognitive process. They have been functioning from only part of themselves. This is where we begin the vulnerable process of discovering their emotions and feelings and what part that plays in creating their lives. The work that Linda Kohanov and Karla McLaren did on the Messages Behind Emotions gives us a way to look at, move through and integrate our emotions. Here is an example of fear and vulnerability--the two emotions that often come up in this work.
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
Multi-level systemic coaching works 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? The only way to answer this questions is to...
- go into your body and become aware of how you feel
- explore the intelligence, or messages, behind those feelings and emotions
- integrate this information into your cognitive processing for creating actions
In Part II of the teleclass, Developing Emotional Agility, we will explore the messages behind emotions and how they are impacting your life. This will be one more step in moving from surviving to thriving!
For details and registration for the live teleclass, Developing Emotional Agility Part II click here,
http://equinealchemy.com/workshops.php#13.
