In the past most online coaching magazines or portal sites had coaches – whether paid or volunteer – produce the content and news. Hiring a journalist from outside the coaching industry, especially one of Mark’s caliber, is bold for two reasons:
1. journalists aren’t afraid to tell the truth, and
2. he’ll see the industry from a different perspective.

It’s so easy to get caught up in the ‘right way’ to do things and the status quo when you’re in a profession or industry. In order to grow and improve you need to hear the truth about what’s working and not working. Sometimes the person who can see the truth most clearly is someone from outside the industry.

To grow you also need to learn what works in an unrelated profession or industry and apply it to your own. If I recall correctly, that’s how Coachville was born. The late Thomas Leonard took the concept of membership sites from the internet marketing industry and applied it in the coaching industry. When Coachville launched as a paid membership site in June 2001 it was leading-edge. Coaches wanted to follow Thomas and joined Coachville in droves.

It seems to me that Ruth Ann Harnish and her Coaching Commons team are onto something leading edge with the hiring of Mark. It bodes well for the future of coaching.

To read more about Mark Joyella visit: Mark Joyella Joins the Coaching Commons

According to an article on AZCentral.com, laughter yoga was developed by Dr. Madan Kataria in India and consists of yoga breathing combined with laughter exercises, usually in a group setting.  Steve Wilson, a psychologist who has led certification classes worldwide for eight years, traveled to India to collaborate with Dr Kataria in 1998.

If you need to let go of some stress and have a good belly laugh, you may find a laughter club or class in your area. If there are none, join a laughter session offered by phone.

Laughter coaching is serious business (article)

Laughter Yoga International

This may give you ideas for delivery of your coaching services or how to think bigger and affect more people.

BizJournals

Gordian Health Solutions Inc.

Career coach Pamela Kleibrink Thompson shares reasons why many of us are in careers that hide our passion.  If you find yourself in any of her examples, it may be time to start figuring out what you truly want to do.

The article is worth a read:  Career Coaching:  Unmasking Your True Potential

I found the article on page 11 of the this edition interesting.  In “The Value of Coaching in Career Development Made Clear to UK Government” they shared how more callers to the government’s Career Advice service are asking to speak to career coaches vs information advisors.  A huge shift in percentages from 2000 when the numbers were reversed.

I would think this is due to the rise in the awareness by the public that non-sport coaching exists.  If you mentioned coaching in 2000, most people thought you meant sport coaching.  Many had never heard of life or career coaching.  Obviously the media and the growth of the internet helped in spreading the word as well.

The Wall Street Journal included a short article and video about executive coaching on it’s site on April 10, 2008.  It focuses on a family business that needed help to get to the next level.  The two brothers hired an executive coach to give them the tools, strategies and accountability needed to do so.

There are also about two dozen comments by coaches and others who read the article.

To see the video visit:  Executive Coaching – Worth the Money?

Michael Lombardi did just that.  He left behind 27 years in corporate finances to become a weatherman – an avocation he didn’t believe could be his vocation, until now.

So how does this story relate to coaching?   Life and career coaching aren’t even mentioned in the article.  I just love to read and share stories about people who decide to live their passion or purpose.  And that’s what Michael did.

To read more visit:  A Midlife Crisis Doesn’t Have to Be One

After Jim Smith quit his stressful job in the insurance industry he trained as a life coach.  In 2005, Time magazine had an issue focused on the science of happiness.  That’s when Jim branded himself as the ‘Executive Happiness Coach.’

Due to the trickle down effect, Jim decided to coach leaders in companies, as they have an effect on everyone else in the company.   Makes sense!  If you want to support or reach a greater number of people in a short amount of time, find the people who have the most influence or reach.

Happiness Coach Take On Grump (Article)

The Executive Happiness Coach (Jim’s site)

Second Fastest Growing Profession
Cursor down to ‘National Post – The second-fastest growing profession (April 4, 2007)