My Energy and Presence in Coaching

This is the energy and presence I aim to bring to each and every coaching conversation: a balance between guidance and invitation; a combination of calm and movement; and curiosity and celebration.

Welcome, fellow human being,

I’m so glad you’re here.

Today, I want to share with you the energy and presence I aim to bring to each and every coaching conversation - using a collage. There are three parts: a balance between guidance and invitation; a combination of calm and movement; and curiosity and celebration.

A Balance between Guidance and Invitation

The train represents the journey I am embarking on together with you.

The map represents figuring out together where you are, where you want to go, and how you want to get there. Just like on a map, there are typically many ways to get from A to B and the path you choose depends on what’s important to you: is it the scenery and treasures you might find along the way? Is it the fastest and quickest route because the destination matters more? Or is it that you choose the hardest, most difficult path, and what does that say about you? Or maybe by looking at the map together, you realize that B isn’t really where you want to go, it’s actually C.

The lighthouse represents an anchor point, a guiding light. You might want or need to explore and let your thoughts and ideas wander. And that’s good. And at the same time you might be worried that you’re wandering off the path or going in circles. As your coach, I can be that lighthouse for you - I can let you know when you're going too far off track; I can remind you to check in with yourself and where you’re going; I can ask you to make the connection between your exploration and your destination, your goal. I am your lighthouse so you can be fully present for your journey and steer the ship.

The plate of food represents an invitation; an invitation to try something new, maybe a method or framework, maybe a different position or point of view. It could be an invitation for homework or an activity, or an idea to consider. It’s an invitation, and “no thank you” is always welcome, just as much as a “yes please”. And - if you take a metaphorical bite and don’t like it, now we know a bit more about what does and doesn’t work for you.

A Combination of Calm and Movement

In the background, you see the ocean waves. Do you sense the rhythm? Can you hear the sound? These waves are not the crashing kind of waves that splash against the shore, but the soft and rhythmic, gentle and calm waves. When I stand at the water and listen to the waves, I feel calm, I am reminded of my breath, I have space to think and be, I don’t feel rushed, I can take time, I am present. That’s the kind of calm I try to create for you.

The tall figure in the middle exudes that presence in a different way (consider it in contrast to the dancers, too!). She’s strong and made out of metal and concrete, I believe, which makes her still; and she also has a softness around her; calm and sturdy.

And there’s also movement. The dancers are light on their feet, the waves do move and might change their rhythm depending on what is happening around them. Movement in a coaching conversation to me means flexibility, adjusting to your energy and your vibe, being not only present for you but moving with you - throughout a session or from session to session. It creates a kind of energy in which you can follow your own vibe and go wherever you need to go, with your words, with your body language, with your emotions, with your actions.

Curiosity and Celebration

Do you pause to reflect on your successes? Do you celebrate your wins? Yeah, me neither, well not as much as I could and want to. In coaching, I’m here to remind you to celebrate. Actually, no, I am here to celebrate with you. I care about the people I get to work with. (I care so much that it’s a topic I am planning to bring to supervision in fact; it’s a line I want to create more clarity around for myself). Yes, it’s a professional relationship, and also I am invested in your journey, your progress, your expansion. My immense curiosity and compassion is what makes me the coach I am; and also it means I can’t help but care about you and what you discover for yourself. So, I celebrate your successes, and I invite you to reflect on your progress, and I remind you that all of those insights you’re uncovering - you did that.

Curiosity. It’s not the sneaky kind that just wants to know in order to know, but the open-minded, non-judgmental kind of curiosity. The one that asks ‘what’s that about?’ and ‘what is happening for you?’ and ‘I have a gut feeling here that there is more to this, would you like to explore?’. In the picture, it’s represented by two people looking at something together. I’m not just here to observe. I want to know what you see in that beautiful piece of art that is your life. I will (metaphorically) stand next to you as you look at some of the uncomfortable parts that maybe you haven’t looked at in a while. I’m right here as you’re feeling whatever you’re feeling while you’re looking at what’s in front of you. I wish I could turn one person towards the other just a bit though, because I’m also here to witness you and your reactions. With permission, I can then share my observations with you - things that you may not have even noticed about yourself while you were so focused on exploring your art; maybe a slight shift in body language; maybe a change in your tone of voice; maybe a an interesting choice of words.

Do you want to experience this kind of energy and presence? I am now accepting coaching clients.

You can send me a message here, find me at https://sites.google.com/view/hanna-keiner-coaching/home, or send me an email at hannamirakeiner@gmail.com.

I’m still working on getting all of my information updated and I hope you don’t let that stop you from reaching out.

I would be so privileged to help you see that you actually do have the answers inside of you.