Barnabas File

Let me warn you upfront:     this is a complex, multilayered volume written by an author with both an engineering (Ph.D.) and public policy background as well as practical experience in the gaming industry (Roblox).     Keith Lucas invites us into a deep dive to creating, leading,     developing, and sustaining teams that are both innovative and entrepreneurial.    He believes that “high-performing teams create engines of innovation in the behaviors they cultivate and the people they hire, develop, and retain.”   There are two major themes in the book:  developing teams that practice aligned autonomy and developing “mission athletes” in those teams.  Although the ground covered in the first area is very familiar territory, Lucas gives it a fresh spin.  He knows the accepted literature in the field but is not limited by it.  The section on developing team members acknowledges the reality that not everyo...

As I looked over a group I was meeting with this week, I realized that practically everyone there was going through a time of transition—sending children back to school or launching them into world; dealing with birth or death; supporting aging parents or considering one’s own aging; beginning a new position or leaving one;  celebrating good health with new activities or recognizing the limitations of changing health; beginning a relationship or ending one. Change and transition are not the same.  Change is an external event or situation that takes place: a new job, a new life situation, a change in lifestyle.  Change can happen very quickly.  Transition is the inner psychological process that people go through as they internalize and come to terms with the new situation that the change brings about. Recognizing that we are in transition leverages change for significant growth.  When you touch an artistic mobile, equilibrium is changed. ...

Life Coaching vs. Therapy: A Comparison Ethical and effective coaches know when a client’s needs go beyond the scope of coaching and require referral to a licensed mental health professional. Recognizing these boundaries protects both the client’s well-being and the integrity of the coaching process.     Aspect Life Coaching Therapy Primary Focus Future-oriented growth and goal achievement Healing and recovery from past or present emotional/psychological distress Approach Strengths-based, action-driven, and solution-focused Diagnostic, treatment-based, and process-oriented Time Orientation Focuses on present and future Often explores past to understand and heal present issues Scope Clarifying goals, building skills, enhancing performance, increasing life satisfaction Addressing mental illness, trauma, emotional regulation, and behavioral challenges Typical Client Mentally healthy individuals seeking growth, clarity, or life transition support Individuals experiencing emotional...

While life/leadership coaching can be deeply supportive, it is not a substitute for mental health treatment. I have had clients who were not only engaged in coaching but were seeing a counselor as well. Each engagement was helpful to the client, but it was important for the client to understand the clear distinction between the two helping professions.   Ethical and effective coaches know when a client’s needs go beyond the scope of coaching and require referral to a licensed mental health professional. Recognizing these boundaries protects both the client’s well-being and the integrity of the coaching process.   Key signs that a referral may be appropriate include the following:   Signs of Mental Illness  – Persistent depression, anxiety, mood swings, panic attacks, or symptoms that interfere with daily functioning.   Unresolved Trauma  – Past or recent trauma that causes significant emotional distress or impacts the client’s ability to focus on future goa...

Having served on the board of a faith-based counseling center, I have a great appreciation for professional counselors and therapists.     I have also been the client of a therapist, so I know the impact that a trained, empathetic counselor can have in one’s life.    As a result, when I train our coaches at Summit Coach Training, I have a clear understanding of the difference between counseling/therapy and coaching.   My colleague, Beth Kennett, has reminded me, however, that coaching can contribute to one’s mental health.   Life coaching can significantly contribute to mental health without being therapy by focusing on personal growth, clarity, and forward movement — not on diagnosing or healing mental illness. Here's how coaching can support mental well-being when properly used.   First, Future-Focused Empowerment.   Coaching helps clients set and achieve meaningful goals, boosting motivation and hope — both protective factors for...

Whatever the profession, many people find themselves standing at a crossroads, knowing where they want to go but unsure how to build the bridge to get there. If you are someone who naturally gravitates toward helping others find that path, who thrives on seeing potential unlocked, then becoming a coach might be more than a career—it could be your calling.   In this article, I use the term “coach” to refer to anyone who adheres to the International Coaching Federation  definition  of coaching:   “Partnering with clients in a thought-provoking and creative process that inspires them to maximize their personal and professional potential.”   One may choose different modifiers to clarity their particular interest—life, leadership, health, career, spiritual, etc.  Each requires additional training beyond the basics of coaching.   The primary reason to become a coach is the profound sense of purpose that comes from making a tangible, positive i...