What if Coaching and Therapy was Called Leadership?

Marcus Matthews • Mar 11, 2024

Inspired by Two Men Who Know That Coaching is Leadership - Why, let's find out

  • Rich Litvin and Simon Sinek

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When I broke I had one question - Why do I feel the way I do?

Who Inspires You?

For many years I have been frustrated with the transformation industry, well to be honest any part of the industry, be that medical or transformational because it appears more like a sales and marketing exercise selling therapy and coaching.

But what is therapy and coaching really?

It's a process of understanding human behaviour and connection.

As humans we have a deep sense and requirement for connection, but many amazing voices go unheard or unseen, because they speak the truth.

In this blog I want to highlight two men, because the therapy and transformation space is very much a female domain in the public eye, which is led by ego, money and fame rather than a deep sense of empowering others to make real change, so they can define their version of success.

If it wasn't for Simon Sinek's
Golden Circle I don't think I would have asked the question " Why Do I Feel The Way I Do"?

If it wasn't for finding Rich Litvin I don't think I would have moved towards coaching.

Let's dig alittle deeper into what brings these two minds together and how I have learnt to develop my style of coaching and therapy to help people like you.

Inspiring Thought

What if Coaching and Therapy Was Called Leadership?


In an era where the delineation between personal and professional development blurs, the wisdom of thought leaders like Rich Litvin and Simon Sinek offers a revolutionary perspective,

"What if coaching and therapy were viewed through the lens of leadership?" - Would this change your view on finding out more?
 
This provocative question challenges conventional business norms and invites us to reimagine the roles of coaching, therapy, and leadership within the modern workspace.

The Unified Essence of Coaching, Therapy, and Leadership - Rich Litvin

Rich Litvin, a profound advocate for deep coaching, proposes an interesting viewpoint: coaching, therapy, and leadership fundamentally pursue the same goal—transformation. Whether it's personal breakthroughs, overcoming obstacles, or inspiring a group toward a common purpose, all three practices aim to evoke change. Yet, in many organisations, there's a stark division: leadership programs are reserved for senior management, while wellbeing initiatives, often including coaching and therapy, are targeted at the broader workforce.


This division underscores a pervasive misconception: that leadership is a title bestowed upon the few, rather than a quality to be cultivated by all. Litvin's work dismantles this notion, advocating for a leadership model that encourages self-awareness, resilience, and growth at every level of an organisation.


This was a question I posed to Rich and you can read his answers at the end of this blog.

Simon Sinek's Vision of Leadership

Simon Sinek, celebrated for his insights on leadership and organisational culture, complements Litvin's philosophy. Sinek emphasises the importance of "why" in leadership—knowing your purpose and inspiring others to find theirs. He argues that true leadership is not about wielding power but about empowering others to achieve their full potential. Leadership, in Sinek’s view, is inherently about service and support, concepts deeply rooted in both coaching and therapy.

Without doubt this underpins what it is to be human, to seek the Why in the What, to have purpose and meaning and to discover that with others we can live a purposeful existance.


Leadership as a Universal Principle for Psychological Safety, Wellbeing and Mental Health or let's just call it a Beautiful Life

Imagine a workplace, your home or any other place where people come together, where leadership is not a role but a culture—a place where every individual is encouraged to lead their own lives with purpose, empathy, and meaning. In this environment, coaching and therapy are not seen as remedies but as proactive tools for personal and professional development. By embracing the principles of coaching and therapy as essential leadership skills, organisations, families and communities can foster a culture of growth, innovation, and genuine connection.


Coaching and therapy, much like leadership, thrive on the principles of listening, empathy, and strategic questioning. These practices provide a mirror for self-reflection, challenging individuals to confront their limiting beliefs and empowering them to craft a vision for their future. By integrating these disciplines into the fabric of our lives, we can equip individuals at all levels with the tools to navigate complexity, inspire change, and lead with authenticity. Yet given the mountain of evidence about the power of coaching and therapy, getting help and support is often seen and experienced as failure, yet ask any successful person, there is no success without failure and without doubt success doesn't come without help and support.

The Shortcut to a Better, More Productive Life

The notion that having a therapist, coach, or mentor is a shortcut to a better, more productive life aligns with the ethos of leading one's life. These relationships offer guidance, support, and accountability, propelling us towards our goals more efficiently than we might on our own. They embody the essence of leadership by encouraging us to take ownership of our journey, challenge our assumptions, and step into our potential.


What if we started redifining coaching and therapy as leadership and started to intigrate the core principles of what it is to be human into our leadership training?

If we create great foundations we won't have the struggles many now face with poor mental health and the ROI will be better businesses, stronger famalies and stronger communities.

Leadership challenges us to rethink how we approach personal and professional development. By embracing the qualities of great leaders—such as empathy, vision, and the courage to face vulnerability—we can transform not only our workplaces but also our lives.

Let's foster a culture where everyone is empowered to be the leader of their own journey, with coaching and therapy as vital companions along the way.

This is not just a shift in perspective; it's a movement towards a more integrated, authentic, and purpose-driven existence

Further Resources

FREE Transformational Toolkit including my webinar on Having a Positive Mindset

Contents:


1. Positive Mindset Webinar

2. Four Thieves of Happiness Audio Download

3. Life Transformation Toolkit

4. FREE Coaching Call - Book your 1 -1 coaching call


These FREE tools will help you get started in transforming your life - The real transformation starts when you have someone by your side.


I know how it feels and that is why I know I can help you make real change
https://makeyourlifecount.co.uk/freegift

Wise words to me from Rich Litvin

When Rich Answer my question on what he describes as
"Far too many coaches have low professional self-esteem".

https://richlitvin.com/3-types-of-confidence/


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