“The future is not some place we are going, but one we are creating. The paths are not to be found, but made. And the activity of making them changes both the maker and the destination.”
Our Coaching Philosophy & Approach
At ALI, we help leaders understand their value at a deep level of consciousness and, from there, guide them to take actions toward ways they can thrive personally and professionally. Some Executive Coaches specialize in helping their clients with tactical and transactional activities.
We strive for results that are much longer-lasting. We are Transformational Coaches, which means that, in alignment with our own personality and interests, we tend to work pretty deep. We are less interested in the “what?” (although we’ve have helped hundreds achieve that!) and much more interested in the “why?” – the knowledge of which can only lead to the highest levels of joy, productivity and fulfillment.
Authentic Leadership International’s coaching method is ontologically founded and based on the OAR and BEL models taught by the Newfield Network and adapted from works by Gregory Bateson, Chris Argyris, Donald A. Schon and Peter Senge.
We believe that focusing solely on actions without first changing one’s perspective toward the situation only produces more of the same (often ineffective) results. To truly change the results, an emphasis on the way the “observer” (the client) perceives themselves and the world around them must be made.
To Truly Transform, Emphasize Perception
When we do not like the results we are getting, our first move is often to change our actions in some way. But focusing on actions without first changing our perspective (“observer”) toward the situation or person only produces more of the same results.
How often have we sent our resume out for the same sort of job – only to once again be dissatisfied? That’s what we’re talking about here.
To truly transform our results, we as humans need to prioritize the way we/the “observer” perceive ourselves and our place in the world around us. This is done through bringing in three key domains: physiology (body posture), emotions & moods, and language. These are where our perceptions and attitudes live.
Ontological Coaching
What is “Ontological,” you might be asking?
“Ontology” is the study of being, and Ontological Coaching is about coaching a way of being, as a means of producing major shifts in the way we see and in the way we act – through all aspects of communication.
The Newfield Institute describes Ontological Coaching as:
“An extraordinarily powerful methodology for effecting change for individuals, teams, and organizations. It is highly effective because it is based on a new deeply grounded and practical understanding of language, moods and conversations for behavioural and cultural transformation.”
on·tol·o·gy
In simple terms, ontology is the study of being; Ontological Coaching is about coaching a way of being as a means of producing major shifts in the way we see and in the way we act – through all aspects of communication.
Here’s what this means, in real terms…
An Opportunity to Transform Awaits…
We at ALI will work with you to expand your own inner “observer” so that you, too, can see with new eyes. From this fresh perspective of the observer, you’ll be able take truly effective action and achieve your desired results (and more!) with greater ease.
So instead of applying for the exact same job – even if in a different organization – we begin to observe ourselves acting out insanity (doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results) and instead begin going for those roles which tug at our hearts.
As we know, a crucial part of leadership is being influential. Sometimes, our deep-seated attitudes and perceptions may be compromising the impact of our behavior, our communications and our overall influence. This lack of awareness about ourselves may be sabotaging our own best interests as individuals and as leaders.
“I prefer the Newfield approach to coaching, especially the BEL (Body-Emotion-Language) model. It’s like an anchor you can “sink your teeth into” to examine what you want to examine.
Colleen’s approach respected that I had all the answers inside me and that her role was simply to help draw those answers out. The whole time we worked together, it was clear that Colleen was in my court, that she wanted me to be all that I can be.”
– Ellen Tozzi
Founder
Natural Order Design
in Hamilton, NJ
What Makes Ontological Coaching Different From Other Types of Leadership Coaching?
Much of the coaching out there today focuses on exchanging one behavior for another. For instance, say you want to exude greater presence. Conventional leadership coaching might offer us some fantastic tips and tricks on speech and body language. And we can do that, too.
But as you already know from the rest of our site, we are more interested in transformation – and that requires shifting what goes on more deeply inside you.
In a similar vein, Ontological Coaching goes deeper than just a focus on behavior to build the foundation necessary for real transformation to begin. That’s where your leadership can really come alive!
What you can expect working with aLI:
• Regular (about every 3-4 weeks) 1-hour conversations (if virtual)
• And, if we meet in person, we would suggest 1.5-2 hour sessions
• Each of these conversations strives to reach “mini” goals – each of which lead up to the over-arching goal you have set for yourself.
• Between each coaching conversation, a small piece of homework is usually suggested, which could take one of many different forms: an article to read, a clip to watch or some writing to do. This is meant to reinforce your learning in between our sessions and, very often, to bring to light new understandings of yourself.
Not sure what to work on? No worries!
We have plenty of experience helping leaders like yourself hone in on what you would really like to shift.
In between our conversations, you’ll receive a resource (relevant article, video, etc.) and you’re asked to make a commitment to yourself (to carry out a small practice – again, in alignment with what you say you want for yourself).
We also do regular check-ins with you, to make sure things/you are progressing in a way that’s pleasing to you so we can make sure to make any adjustments right away. In this loosely structured way, our coaching becomes more tangible and you are sure to manifest whatever intention you set for yourself through our time together.
“Working with Colleen on a larger program here at MasterCard was such a fantastic experience for me, her mentorship on emotional intelligence has now become the North Star of my professional and personal life.
Colleen is a credit to her profession and I would highly recommend her to anyone working within a high performing environment.”
-Gavin Henderson
European & Eurasia
VP Of Regional Security,
Mastercard
Brussels, Belgium
Why Our Moods & Emotions Matter
Our thinking determines our mood, creates our own reality, and drives our behavior. Therefore, the results we achieve are the outcome of our behaviors. Because moods and emotions permeate everything that we do, they constitute a core business process. Moods and emotions are crucial to clarity, morale, and organizational performance.
Develop a knack for engaging all kinds of people across the organization and create long-term collaborations by learning how to:
• Successfully distinguish between moods and emotions to engage in constructive emotional leadership
• Shift ourselves and others from negative moods to more positive ones to achieve more desirable outcomes
• Leverage moods and emotions to communicate more effectively, thus creating a deeper impact in our leadership
Body Language Impacts Business & Leadership
93% of our language is non-verbal (posture, breathing pattern, eye movement, an inner “knowing,” etc.) – proof that speaking is not limited to the vocal chords. Our way of being is embodied. We carry our biographies in our biologies.
We offer our clients a unique depth of expertise, drawing on her studies with Ariana Strozzi and Stuart Heller, internationally respected educators in this area, as well as her training as a Registered Yoga instructor.
We Use Our Foundation Based Ontological Coaching To Show You How To:
• Detect subtle yet powerful cues that may be influencing your ability to communicate effectively
• Use the body to enjoy more constructive and productive moods, thereby improving results
• Create small shifts in body posture to generate a more positive outlook, in business and in life
Language Produces Outcomes, Creates Realities
Effective leadership, management, coaching, and team behavior depends heavily on how people use language. What is done – and how well it is done – is shaped by how people do (and do not) use language.
A key part of examining language is to uncover destructive narratives, and develop more powerful and empowering ones. What we as the observer experience physiologically, feels emotionally, or recites aloud (or in our head) influences the kind of impact we will have.
Create A Greater Impact As A Leader When You Learn:
- • Deeper, more effective ways of listening to enhance communication and relationships
- • How speech influences everything from conversation to overall performance in the workplace
- • How to focus on body, emotion, and language – rather than just actions – to shift behavior