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Your mood isn't random—learn to regulate your emotional baseline with EQ. We often treat mood like weather—something that just happens to us. A blue-sky morning can sour in seconds; a gray day can suddenly lift. But in emotional intelligence (EQ), General Mood  is more than a passing front. It’s the emotional climate you live in—the steady atmosphere that colors how you think, connect, and carry yourself, even when storms roll through. Those cartoon faces flashing every possible emotion? They’re snapshots from your inner weather report. EQ isn’t about chasing sunshine—it’s about learning to read the sky, pack the right gear, and move through whatever forecast you find yourself in with awareness and agility. This post in the Emotional Intelligence Series , explores how to elevate your emotional baseline—not through forced positivity, but through grounded habits that support well-being, joy, and possibility—even on cloudy days. Learn to shift your vibe with purpose, not pressure.

Joy is meant to be savored, not saved for later. We often treat happiness like dessert—something to be enjoyed only after  the hard work is done. After the promotion. After the project wraps. After we’ve finally “earned” the right to feel good. But emotional intelligence tells a different story: happiness isn’t a reward for success—it’s a resource that fuels it. Happiness —as defined in the EQ-i 2.0 ® model —reflects your overall sense of life satisfaction and emotional vitality, the quiet flavor of well-being that infuses your day. It’s not about chasing constant pleasure or pretending things are fine. It’s about cultivating the kind of steady contentment that makes joy possible in the first place. Joy is the sparkle that happiness gives off when it’s alive and moving. It’s the laugh that escapes during a tough day, the ease in your shoulders when you feel safe, the delight that sneaks in between responsibilities. You don’t have to chase those moments; you can generate  them—when your emotional ecosystem is balanced and well-fed. Happiness, then, is less like dessert and more like the main course—the essential nourishment that sustains everything else. This piece is part of the Emotional Intelligence Series —an invitation to explore the inner ingredients of EQ and how they flavor a life well-lived.

Every part of your EQ ecosystem affects how you live and lead. From orbit, the Earth looks like one unified organism—a breathtaking whole, alive with motion and rhythm. But look closer, and you’ll see an intricate web of ecosystems—oceans, forests, deserts—each with its own climate, needs, and ways of staying in balance. The health of the whole planet depends on the interactions between these smaller systems. Your emotional intelligence works in much the same way. Think of your EQ as an inner ecosystem made up of distinct but interconnected realms. Some regulate your inner climate (like how you perceive yourself or manage stress), while others shape how you engage with the social environment around you. When these internal systems are functioning well, you contribute to a healthier, more connected “emotional planet”—your relationships, your workplace, your community. In this final post in the Emotional Intelligence Series , we zoom out to see the whole system  at work. Emotional and social functioning is the visible landscape of your EQ in daily life: how you relate, recover, and contribute.

Executive coaching is like espresso for your leadership—bold, clarifying, and exactly what you didn’t know you needed. You’re successful, smart, and likely running on espresso and sheer willpower. But lately, things feel... off. You’re hitting goals but not feeling the growth. You’re leading teams but not feeling like a leader. And that whole “work-life balance” thing? More like work-life blur. So, you started looking into executive coaching. Maybe you heard about it from a colleague who suddenly started radiating calm CEO energy. Now you’re here—curious, slightly skeptical, and wondering: “What exactly am I getting myself into?” Good news. This isn’t therapy, this isn’t fluff, and it’s not about fixing you (because you’re not broken). Executive coaching is about amplifying what’s already working, cleaning up what’s not, and helping you lead with clarity, confidence, and purpose. Here’s your honest, human, jargon-free guide to what executive coaching is really  like—and how to get the most out of it. First: What Does “Executive” Even Mean? Spoiler alert: It’s not just CEOs and people who sign off on million-dollar budgets. In the coaching world, executive  often refers to anyone in a leadership position—or someone aspiring to be there. It could be: A team lead managing people for the first time A solopreneur wearing 27 hats A mid-level manager juggling up, down, and sideways A founder steering a growing startup A professional at a pivot point, looking for “what’s next” If you're making decisions, influencing others, or navigating growth and complexity at work—you qualify. Coaching is about how you lead, not just your title. What Is Executive Coaching? Executive coaching is a personalized, one-on-one partnership that helps you: Lead more effectively Communicate with clarity Navigate tough stuff with confidence Show up more powerfully in your work and life It’s where your challenges meet strategy. Your potential meets action. Your stuck-ness meets solutions. And it’s done in a space where you don’t have to have it all figured out. What Coaching Is Not Let’s bust a few myths right now: 🚫 It’s not performance management. You’re not getting graded, reviewed, or “fixed.” Coaching isn’t corporate punishment—it’s proactive growth. 🚫 It’s not therapy. You won’t be lying on a couch talking about childhood (though if your inner critic sounds like your high school gym teacher, that may come up). 🚫 It’s not advice. Your coach isn’t here to give you answers—they’re here to help you ask better questions, unlock insight, and create your own clear path forward. What Actually Happens in Coaching Here’s what you can expect in a typical coaching partnership: 1. Deep Clarity Coaching starts by getting crystal clear on your goals. Not just the surface-level “get promoted” kind—but the real stuff underneath. What do you want your leadership to feel  like? What legacy do you want to leave behind? What’s not working right now—and what would? 2. Honest Conversations Coaching is one of the few spaces where you don’t have to spin or sugarcoat. You’ll get asked the kinds of questions that stop you mid-sentence in the best way. The ones that make you think, “Why do  I keep doing it that way?” Expect reflection. Expect challenge. Expect growth. 3. Tangible Progress You’re not here to just talk  about change—you’re here to create it. Every session comes with next steps: micro-goals, mindset shifts, experiments, and actions to test in the real world. This isn’t homework. This is momentum. Behind the Scenes: What You’re Really  Working On You might come into coaching with a goal like “I want to be a better communicator” or “I need to manage my team better.” But coaching often reveals deeper roots: Unspoken fear of being found out (hello, imposter syndrome) Exhaustion from perfectionism or people-pleasing Frustration with vague boundaries or unclear values Hesitation to step into visibility or own your authority Coaching helps you unpack the mental and emotional knots keeping you stuck—then gives you the tools to untangle them and move forward. How Coaching Can Help You Show Up Differently Through coaching, people often notice these shifts: Clearer decision-making under pressure More productive (and less emotionally draining) conversations Stronger boundaries with time, energy, and people Increased confidence, especially in uncertain moments Alignment between your values and your day-to-day leadership You’ll show up more grounded. More human. More you. How to Prepare for Coaching (Without Overthinking Everything) You don’t need a plan, a pitch deck, or a highlight reel. But you do want to come in open and ready. Here’s how: 1. Bring a Goal—or at Least a Gut Feeling You don’t need perfect clarity. But some direction helps. Try finishing this sentence: “I want coaching to help me feel more _____ in my work.” Examples: In control Energized Confident Clear Fulfilled 2. Think About What’s Not Working Coaching isn’t just about shiny future goals—it’s also about the present friction. Ask yourself: What’s keeping me up at night (or just always on my mind)? Where do I feel stuck, frustrated, or out of alignment? What am I tolerating that I’m secretly done with? 3. Be Willing to Show Up Honestly The real magic happens when you show up as your full self—not your polished, LinkedIn version. Bring the messy middle. Bring the questions. Bring the “I don’t even know where to start.” That’s where change begins. A Week in the Life of a Coaching Relationship Here’s what it might look like: One-on-one sessions  (weekly or biweekly via video or phone) Reflections + next steps  to keep the growth going Real-time application  of new insights in your actual work life You’re not being coached in a vacuum—you’re implementing and evolving as you go. How to Know Coaching Is Working Coaching wins come in all sizes. Some you’ll feel instantly. Others are quieter, sneakier—and way more powerful. Look for signs like: You stop spiraling when challenges arise. You speak up in meetings without rehearsing in your head 17 times. You leave work feeling fulfilled, not fried. You notice your team responding to you with more trust and clarity. You make decisions faster—and with less second-guessing. Coaching Is for the You Who’s Still Becoming Whether you’re climbing the ladder, building your own table, or rewriting what leadership looks like—coaching helps you get there with less guesswork and more grace. This isn’t about becoming someone else. It’s about becoming more  of who you already are—on purpose . TL;DR Executive coaching isn’t just for executives. It’s for real humans who lead, aspire, stretch, build, and want their work to mean  something. It’s clarity meets action. Strategy meets heart. And if you’re ready to stop spinning and start leading with confidence? Coaching is your next best move.

Before your client can move forward, they have to see clearly. These coaching skills help clean the glass—and reveal the view beyond. Some windows don’t need to be replaced. They just need to be cleaned. In coaching, clarity isn’t always about solving a problem or moving the client forward at full speed. Sometimes, it’s about removing what’s in the way—emotional fog, distorted perspectives, or tightly held beliefs that have been mistaken for truth. The coaching conversation can only go as deep as the space allows. And that space ? It’s influenced by how present the client feels, how open they are to new ways of seeing, and how willing they are to separate what’s real  from what’s learned . That’s why three foundational Co-Active skills— Clearing , Reframing , and Making Distinctions —are more than helpful tools. They’re essential acts of self-management. They help the coach stay attuned, responsive, and grounded. They create the conditions where insight isn’t forced, but invited. And they honor one of the most powerful beliefs in Co-Active Coaching : The client is naturally creative, resourceful, and whole . Sometimes, all they need is help clearing the window. 🪟 Why These Skills Are Core to Coaching Presence In the Co-Active model, self-management  means staying aware of your own internal landscape so you can stay fully available to the client’s. It also means recognizing when the energy in the space needs attention—whether it’s cluttered by unspoken emotion, narrowed by assumption, or tangled in unconscious beliefs. Clearing  restores presence . Reframing  unlocks perspective . Making Distinctions  untangles limiting beliefs. These are subtle, behind-the-scenes moves, but they often determine whether a session remains on the surface—or dives into something truly transformational. Clearing: Removing the Static There are times when a client shows up emotionally full—frustrated, distracted, or just energetically “off.” You can feel the static. There’s something in the room that hasn’t been said yet, and it’s getting in the way.

The stage is set. Presence begins when the lights come up and you stop trying to perform. Ever watched a masterful improv performance and thought, Wow, they make it look so effortless! The way they roll with unexpected twists, build on each other’s ideas, and turn chaos into comedy—it’s pure magic. But here’s the secret: It’s not effortless. Great improv actors train relentlessly. They practice deep listening, emotional agility, and the art of responding in the moment. Presence—real, skillful, transformative presence—takes work. Coaching is no different. Being fully present with your client—listening beyond their words, holding space for their breakthroughs, adapting without clinging to a script—is one of the hardest and most valuable skills a coach can develop. And like improv, it’s not about being perfect—it’s about being fully engaged . So, step into the scene with me and explore: What coaching presence actually means. How to cultivate it like an improv pro. How to avoid being the coaching equivalent of an actor just waiting for their turn to speak. Lights up. Let’s go.  🎭

Listening: The secret superpower of great coaches—and elephants. Ever notice how elephants have the biggest ears in the animal kingdom? That’s because great listening is their superpower—and in coaching, it should be yours too. That’s the essence of ICF Core Competency 6: Listens Actively . Active listening isn’t just about hearing words. It’s about tuning in so deeply that you catch what’s not  being said—those subtle shifts in tone, the hesitation before a word, the energy in the silence. It means listening with your whole self, catching the emotional undertow beneath your client’s words, and holding space for breakthroughs to happen. Coaches who master this skill don’t just gather information— they sense  what matters . They hear the longings between the lines and shine a light on unspoken truths. Active listening builds trust , sparks insight, and helps clients move from stuck to unstuck in ways that feel almost magical. Let’s explore this essential coaching skill and listen to how it plays out in practice. 🐘

Fulfillment emerges when we align with purpose—like a summit breaking through the fog. There comes a moment in nearly every coaching relationship when a client looks up—sometimes through tears, burnout, or just a long, tired sigh—and says: ✦ “I don’t know what the point of this is anymore.” ✦ “I thought this would feel more meaningful.” ✦ “I want my life to matter—but I don’t know what that actually means.” This is the territory of life purpose—and it’s sacred ground. As a coach, your role isn’t to deliver a polished mission statement or a neatly drawn map. It’s to walk beside your client as they navigate the fog, trusting that clarity is already forming beneath the surface. You help them find the faint outlines of what’s true—and let their own wisdom bring it into focus. This post is your guide for how to meet clients in that misty middle ground, holding space for purpose to emerge with curiosity, clarity, and depth.

Bobbing for transformation — not just fishing for answers. Picture a fishing bobber floating on a still lake. It bobs gently, responding to every ripple, every small movement on the surface. But beneath the water, unseen forces are at play—currents shift, fish move, and something deeper is stirring. In coaching, the client’s immediate concerns are like that bobber, moving with the waves of day-to-day life. But the real  agenda—the deeper current—is what shapes transformation. Great coaches don’t just track the surface movement; they help clients sense what’s happening underneath, inviting them into the depth where real change begins. The Art of Holding the Agenda One of the most essential skills in Co-Active Coaching is holding the client’s agenda —and that doesn’t mean simply following wherever the client’s topic leads. It means holding space for two levels of focus: The “little a” agenda  — the immediate topic or task at hand (e.g., “I need to prepare for a difficult conversation”). The “Big A” Agenda  — the deeper current of growth and meaning (e.g., “I want to trust my own voice as a leader”). You can think of the “little a” as the domain of performance coaching —working on goals, actions, and tangible results. The “Big A” sits squarely in developmental coaching —the exploration of identity, mindset, and being. If you’d like to explore that distinction more deeply, you can read my upcoming companion article, Performance vs. Developmental Coaching . The magic of coaching lies in holding both at once: addressing what’s on the surface while staying attuned to the deeper current of transformation below.

Coaching insights are gems worth discovering—each one polished by practice, reflection, and human connection. Coaching is a journey of continuous discovery—a quest for those rare, transformative insights that propel us forward. Over the years, I’ve gathered insights—tiny but mighty gems—that emerged through deep conversations, hard-won growth, and some truly human moments. They’ve been polished by practice, reflection, and walking alongside incredible people who’ve trusted me with their stories. This blog is where I pass those gems on to you. Whether you’re a coach, a leader, or simply someone navigating your next brave step, these posts are here to illuminate the path ahead—and remind you that you’re never walking it alone. Why I Write Because clarity isn’t about having it all figured out—it’s about feeling grounded enough to move forward even when you don’t know . As a Master Certified Coach, I’ve spent years  in the trenches: thousands of hours coaching, training, unlearning, relearning—and living. I’ve made hard choices. I’ve faced unexpected twists. And I’ve been shaped by the people who’ve walked beside me—clients, mentors, peers, and friends—each adding a spark to this path I now share with you. These gems aren’t just theory. They’re lived. Tested. True. I offer them in the hopes that they help you: see more clearly, trust yourself more deeply, and take meaningful steps toward the life and impact you were made for. This isn’t about handing you a map—it’s about giving you the compass. A Treasure Trove Tailored for You Every journey is unique, and so are the tools that support it. That’s why The Coaching Blog is organized into three gemstone-inspired categories—each designed to meet you where you are. Sapphire represents depth and discernment. For Coaches Here you’ll find articles that refine your coaching craft — from ICF Core Competencies to Co-Active contexts, presence, and artistry in practice. Each piece is designed to help you sharpen your awareness, expand your range, and coach with more confidence and grace. Ruby embodies courage and conviction. For Leaders These reflections explore leadership from the inside out — decision-making, emotional intelligence, and the shift from directing to empowering. If you lead people, projects, or change, this space helps you lead with clarity and compassion. Citrine shines with trust and collaboration. For Teams These articles offer practical tools and coaching-based strategies for building trust, improving communication, and creating teams that don’t just perform — they thrive. Customize Your Journey Your growth doesn’t have to follow anyone else’s map. Explore the categories that speak to your season of life and leadership. Subscribe for weekly coaching gems — insights shaped by real conversations and refined by practice. Follow what resonates, skip what doesn’t, and let curiosity lead. Together, we’ll keep uncovering what’s true, useful, and worth polishing — so you can carve a path that feels honest, aligned, and unmistakably you. 💎 Subscribe today to discover and refine the coaching gems that matter most — yours.