Humans are social animals having evolved to become highly dependent on the connection to others for survival. Our relationships with family, friends, colleagues, and communities fulfil our emotional, social, and psychological needs, contributing to a sense of identity, belonging, and well-being. We don’t exist in isolation and are relational by nature, part of an interconnected and complex social system.
This is beautifully expressed in the concept of ‘Ubuntu’, which I was introduced to by our Xhosa guide, Munday, whilst on holiday in the Kariega National Park in South Africa a couple of years ago. On one of our morning drives, Munday explained to me that Ubuntu encompasses the philosophy of interconnectedness, emphasising the idea that our humanity is intertwined with others. Our shared humanity promotes compassion, empathy, relationships, and community and can be summed up by the phrase ‘I am because you are’.
I was so taken with this concept that it now adorns the wall in our new extension at home! For me it encapsulates my love for life and the very core of my passion as a coach.
When my clients show up to sessions, they don’t do so in a bubble, separated from their relationship dynamics with family, friends, and colleagues. They bring with them the diverse set of connections that affect their personal and professional lives, their fears and hopes, their passioons and desires.
Coaching is an invaluable way for people to access support to navigate the complexities of these relationships in their lives and achieve their goals. As an Executive & Personal Coach, I support my clients by:
⚛️ Coaching the whole person – approaching them as interconnected beings, operating in a unique system of relationships, connections, and influences
⚛️ Coaching the person, not the problem – exploring beliefs and fears about their relationships with others and supporting them to make shifts in who they are (their identity), ensuring sustainable change in both their perception and behaviour
⚛️ Coaching within the client’s specific context – focusing on enabling my clients to create their own insights and solutions, honouring the complexity of their social connections
⚛️ Recognising my client’s distinct mix of personality, experiences, and beliefs, and how these impact on how they relate to others and the world around them
⚛️ Creating a safe environment and holding space for my clients to explore their relationships with others to build self-awareness and move forward towards what they want in their professional and personal lives
If you’d like to explore how my coaching approach can support you to better manage your relationships with others to help achieve your goals, do get in touch.
What phrase or concept do you like that sums up how interconnected we are as humans?
