I’ve been a coach for almost twenty years and have thousands of hours coaching leaders and teams in 48 different industries for hundreds of organizations.
I started noticing that there are some common problems that get in the way of – and sometimes prevent – leaders and teams from focusing on their work and accomplishing the mission of their organization. Regardless of industry, every team had people problems.
So after extensive research, I developed my leadership model, Thoughtfully Fit, to help clear the hurdles caused by those people problems.
When you’re physically fit, all movements are easier. Whether it’s going for a walk or putting your own suitcase in the overhead bin. When you’re physically fit, you’re less likely to get injured, and you’re more prepared to take on any physical challenge that might pop up in your day.
In the same way, being Thoughtfully Fit makes life easier, and you’re less likely to do things that you might regret later on. You handle your people problems thoughtfully, so you can get back to doing what you do best.
What is key to being Thoughtfully Fit? You have to engage your core.
IT ALWAYS COMES BACK TO YOUR CORE
There are two parts to the core: control and choice. What do you control? And what choices do you have?
When you encounter challenges, adversity or conflict, it often feels like you have no control or no choices. But in fact, the exact opposite is true. While you don’t control what happens, you always control what happens next. The key is to focus on your choices and what you control: what you say and what you do.
You engage your core.
For example, you can’t control what other people do, but you do control what you do. You may not be able to control angry customers, the effects of a global pandemic or decisions made by other people at work, but you do control how you respond. And you always have choices in how you respond.
The core is at the heart of being Thoughtfully Fit. The core is where you find the tools and the confidence to handle any people problem that comes your way. It always comes back to control and choices.
The more you engage your core – and focus on what you control and what choices you have – the greater your ability to clear any hurdle. Whatever obstacles come your way, engaging your core can help you respond in an intentional and thoughtful way.
When you’re Thoughtfully Fit, you’ll still have people problems. There will still be difficult employees, challenging team dynamics, and neighbors who cut the lawn at 7am on the Saturday you want to sleep in. But when you’re Thoughtfully Fit, people problems feel easier because you work from your core.
THE SOURCE OF YOUR POWER
The core is the source of your power. Instead of being a victim, or reacting unconsciously to the situation – likely making it worse, you recognize your choices and you’re in control of what you do next. You are better equipped to handle any challenge that comes your way. That way instead of wasting your time and energy being frustrated by what other people are doing, you can get back to doing what you do best.
Whatever your people problems look like, I’m going to give you a strategy to engage your core that you can use in ANY situation, big or small. It will help you identify the choices you have and focus on what you control. It is three steps: Pause. Think. Act.
When your problems pop up, start building your core confidence. Notice what you control and notice your choices. You’ve got this!
