71: Are You A Highly Sensitive Coach?

This episode is about … being highly sensitive as a coach. The full transcript is at prosperouscoach.com/71.If you don’t identify as highly sensitive, consider listening to this short episode anyway because a significant percentage of human beings are highly sensitive and you might learn something new.Last week I didn’t post an episode. It’s the first time in 18 months of podcasting that I’ve skipped airing an episode except for Christmas Day.And the last two weeks when I sat down to focus on my podcast I’ve been blank. Sure, I’ve felt a bit blank before when I sit down to create. I’ll take a walk and come back with a burst of creativity.But this blankness has gone on for weeks. My pre-recorded, pre-published episodes have caught up with me.Finally I realized that I’m deep in grief. At times of grief, business as usual doesn’t feel right. And there’s no bandwidth for generative thought.I spoke to a past client of mine. She encouraged me to share on the podcast what’s going on. Thanks, Kate. That was brilliant advice.A Heavy Energetic LoadI’m an empath, which means I sense the mental or emotional states of others. Usually, I sense other people’s energetic states and it’s a slow trickle — totally manageable. In fact, it’s useful to have this skill as a coach, as a human being. And I’ve learned tools to protect myself and release energy that isn’t mine.But during this pandemic, sadness, grief, fear and anxiety have come rolling in tsunami waves. I wake up feeling as if I’m under water. It’s taking much more self care to rise above it. And daily self-care is a normal priority for me. It’s amazing to realize that perhaps for the first time in human history, the whole world is feeling sadness, grief, fear and anxiety all at the same time. That’s a heavy load.So why am I telling you this? I don’t want you to feel sorry for me. Sensitivity is a super power. Especially when used for self healing and doing good.Not Fragile But Uniquely CapableIn 1997 Dr. Elaine Aron, wrote The Highly Sensitive Person. That was the year that I graduated from coach training. I remember reading it and feeling a deep sense of relief to finally be seen and heard in a different way.The Field of Coaching Attracts Highly Sensitive PeopleAccording to Dr. Aron, approximately 20% of the population is highly sensitive. I suspect that number has climbed as population swells, as we move faster, eat less nutritious food, swim in a non-stop field of EMFs elevated by Wi-Fi.I have a theory going that many highly sensitive people are drawn to coaching. I seem to attract clients – all coaches — who are highly sensitive. We recognize and understand each other.What about you? Have you ever felt you were sensitive?Sensitivity is an Asset for CoachesDid you know that being highly sensitive can be an asset in coaching?Here are some of the ways I’ve found it to be valuable:·      I can read a room in a small group even online in a training or mastermind.·      I can sense subtle cues that help me choose a direction for coaching and mentoring ·      Certain words and phrases clients say float into the air with emphasis.·      What isn’t said is as clear to me as what is said.·      My intuition is a reliable guidance system.·      I can sense when I’ve given away my power and quickly correct that.·      I can sense when my client’s have given away their power and gently notice it.My guess is that hearing this you’ll realize you have some or all of these abilities as well. And by raising awareness you can