The Courage Catalyst #9 - Living Service

The Courage Catalyst #9 - Living Service

First things first. I've missed you. Last month I hardly felt my feet touching the ground due to a personal vacation and serving a new client. Here is a quick update.

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Any guesses?

I took a mini vacation with my daughter. It was a 9 day Reset in Istanbul where I fully switched off and successfully resisted the magic of automation and scheduling. Have you ever tried that?

The trip was extra special because we learnt to s l o w down to listen deeply to each other AND experience the magical city, the people, culture and rich history.

My mantra: 'Work hard, travel harder'


I partnered with a new corporate client to facilitate a leadership journey over the period of one year. Last month, we traveled across India to create transformative experiences for the leaders in every region. I chose to integrate my learnings from the past few months to serve my client powerfully. The magic is to COME FROM service instead of using service to 'get to' anything.




I am thrilled to have you on this journey with me. A warm welcome if you are joining this week. This is a place where I share my learnings, challenges, musings on stepping powerfully into a life of your dreams. Choosing Courage over Comfort!

Once you subscribe, you’ll receive insights, curated links, resources, stories and the coolest things I’m learning about being courageous and bringing my 'A game' to creating a prosperous, ethical and sustainable coaching practice. 

I have one request as you read this newsletter. Please read it about YOU. Not about me.

Five things in my Courage catalyst series:

  1. The Courage Toolbox 
  2. Book I'm Recommending
  3. Quote I'm pondering
  4. Action that Inspires
  5. Playground 

May this enrich and support your own journey of becoming the courageous leader with ease and joy. 



 🧰The Courage Toolbox

What is the difference between good coaching and great coaching?

I have been consciously creating a new relationship with service and have realized that one of the differences between good and great coaching is Creating Powerful Agreements.

We have 2 choices in your relationships with others. We can have relationships based on expectations or relationships based on agreements.

When there are unspoken expectations in the coaching relationship, it leads to a lot of disappointment. I remember feeling very frustrated when a client came late to our coaching calls or didn't show up and later requested to rearrange our call. I wanted to be seen as 'nice' and 'accommodating'. Pleasing the client was top of the list vs serving the client and being a stand for the commitment to our work.

The beauty about having agreements is that they can be revisited and re-created when they are not met, without judgement or having unpleasant feelings.

Over the past few months I am seeing a huge shift in the way my clients are committing to the partnership AND my own commitment has deepened.

What expectations are you noticing in your relationships?

If you want to create strong agreements in your relationships, I have the perfect resource for you. It could be the breakthrough you are seeking. Please reply below and I will be happy to share it to you.



📚 Book I’m Recommending

Living Service: The Journey of a Prosperous Coach - Melissa Ford

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If you are on this journey, it is for you!

'If you are not of service, then you probably shouldn't be in business' When I heard Melissa sharing this in a webinar, it landed with me right away.

The book is practical and filled with Melissa's personal experiences that wake you up to the service equation. Enjoy the book

“If it doesn’t serve you, it won’t serve your client. You need to be a part of the equation. So what would be fun for you to offer?

This question inspired me to create "Courage Unlimited" a fun coaching package!


💡 Quote I’m Pondering

'The best way to find yourself, is to lose yourself in the service of others' - Mahatma Gandhi

 


🌟Action that inspires 

You want life to be different? You want to get into action but don't know how? You want a breakthrough? Here is H.O.W.

Be Honest

Be Open

Be Willing

It is a way of Being. It takes time, focus and practice. It takes courage. It is liberating.


😄 Playground

This is anything that makes you either Grin, Gasp and Giggle. 

Grin because you’re excited with possibility. Gasp because you’re thinking “How am I ever going to pull this off?” Giggle because you’ll LOVE IT if it actually happens!

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Fearless service is profound - Read about it in the book

Where I am afraid to go? Let's go there!

Let's play the Service Game. It has no rules.

Serve your clients without fear. Be a catalyst. Listen, Love, Ask, Support. Be creative. Give massive value without being attached to the outcome.

GAME ON?



Thanks for reading. I hope you find these thoughts useful for your own journey. Share this with someone you love.

Your feedback is a gift. Just reply and hit send. You can also email me at farah@interactconsulting.in

Keep Couraging

Farah Ismail

Founder, CoachFarah



💡Ready to create the life you truly want? Let's create something special.

  • Looking for a thinking partner to help get clarity? The starter coaching package may be right for you.
  • Courage Core - A 6 month, high level, group coaching program that offers a transformational experience by honouring you to expand and grow in all areas of your life.

I would love to serve you. Let's have a conversation


LáYínká Sánní

Leadership Development Specialist | Empowering senior leaders to drive lasting behavioural change and psychological safety in diverse teams | Transforming teams through innovative training and coaching

1y

I enjoyed reading this, Farah, and particularly loved reflecting on the idea of creating strong agreements with clients. Thinking back to challenging client relationships, I see the impact of *not* having strong agreements in place, and how expectations lead to disappointment when left unspoken. A powerful agreement fosters the co-creation of powerful change. 

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Kamila Wolyniec

🔝 Linkedin Top Voice 🔸 Woman of Impact 2023 🔸 Career Coach for 𝗤𝗨𝗜𝗘𝗧 𝗔𝗖𝗛𝗜𝗘𝗩𝗘𝗥𝗦 who are ready to be 𝗛𝗘𝗔𝗥𝗗! 🔸 GOLD Tier #IAmRemarkable Facilitator 🔸 DISC Flow Assessor 🔸 Public Speaker

1y

What a ride you've been on Farah! From soaking up Istanbul with your daughter to transforming leaders across India, your life is a lively mix of hard work and adventure. Love your idea of ditching expectations and making clear agreements - sounds like a game-changer.

Nasirra R Ahamed

Executive Coach PCC-ICF | Facilitator | Top 10 Successful Indian Personalities by Outlook & Midday | Top 50 Under 50 | 2x #1 International Best Selling Author | Mentor | Podcaster | The ENERGY ARCHITECT™

1y

Welcome back Farah. Love the intricacies of living service merging with ones expectations and disappointment that sometimes comes with this… and how easy it is to be consumed with the “either/ or” if we are not aware of our being. My mantra as a coach has been to be “connected, but detached” not detached from the person, but from the outcome, yet serve with unconditional positive regard. I resonate with this!

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