When I’m helping clients through difficulties, whether it’s internal or external challenges, there’s usually a series of consecutive steps we take together. I call it the Leading Spirit Success Cycle, for obvious reasons. What this cycle represents is the idea that success can happen in any situation; it’s always possible to create something new and different no matter how big the mess.

It’s helpful to come in with coaching as soon after “chaotic change” as possible. Coaching can help that grieving process happen more quickly, with less angst. The coach’s presence serves as a permission system to have emotion because those feelings actually contain important information that will help guide you from here to what’s next. The coaching and facilitation work we do can help people harness the power of that emotional experience. You know, the term “emotional intelligence” was created for a reason. There’s a lot of smarts in those feelings.