Dear Subscriber First Name

I must admit when I talk to leaders and HR professionals about Schema Coaching, terms like "imposter syndrome," "over-functioner, “burnout," and "approval seeker" often come up.

It's true that Schema Coaching is incredibly effective in addressing these kinds of challenges, but this focus sometimes leads to a misunderstanding: that the Schema way is solely about "fixing" a problem person.

This couldn't be further from the truth.

While we certainly help individuals navigate obstacles, the true power of Schema method lies in its ability to grow a persons hidden potential, highlight and enact their strengths and in typical Schema Coaching fashion, help the person meet unmet personal needs from earlier in their life.

The result: People who are the best version of themselves in the workplace.

So, how do we correct the misconception that coached and mentored staff is really just code for the office ‘problem child’?

Well, in a couple of important ways….

Fact: We all have Schemas

Yes, you as well!….

Don’t believe me? Well allow me to indulge you for a tick -

When I give Leaders or People & Culture reps the rundown about schemas in the workplace, I might offer a de-identified case study or an example or explanation of what schemas ‘look’ like in the workplace, something to the effect of:

“So he’d be the first to arrive and the last to leave - and then he’d be sitting there checking his work emails whilst watching The White Lotus on the couch after dinner!….”

As I rabbit on, there’s often this ‘moment’, where I look across the table at the person I’m explaining myself to, and something shifts in them.

Suddenly, I can almost see the ‘cogs’ starting to turn in their head and the person drifting into deeper thought, which is then broken by the following sober admission:

"I'm actually thinking I have that schema!"

To use a football analogy, “from the head coach to the boot studder'“ - everyone has their own Schemas.

And that’s perfectly ok.

A Bit More On That….

Simply put, workplace schemas are the strong beliefs we carry about who we are in our jobs. Sometimes, these beliefs are too powerful and get in our own way and impact optimal functioning and reaching our potential.

Ask yourself, have you ever found yourself thinking:

• "It's too risky. You'll fail. Just stick to what you know."

• "Not good enough. Needs to be perfect. I must work harder."

• "Everyone knows more. Why did they choose me?"

  Or doing any of these?

• People-pleasing, avoiding conflict, constantly seeking validation, difficulty speaking up or making independent decisions

• Taking on too much, struggling with boundaries, difficulty asking for help, yet feeling resentful.

• Overworking, burnout, never feeling satisfied, excessive criticism of self and others.

• Struggling to accept praise.

In short: schemas are well intended, they just create messages that often aren’t true or pleasant!

What Child Never Grew up?

Finally, and this is crucial – there's something far more important a person, whoever the person, learns in this coaching journey than simply identifying their schemas or challenging behaviors.

It's this: getting to know, living from, and growing their healthy side.

There's nothing I enjoy more than hearing a person tell me they consciously made a decision to let the healthy "side" of themselves take charge in a challenging situation.

(Remember this? What do you mean by side?)

Even better, is the recognition from their management and colleagues about the noticeable shift and real growth in how they function at work.

So What's Next?

Well I really do like where we’ve landed - The Healthy Side, and this is definitely an area I want to continue to share more about and explore alongside you. There’s just so much more to it!

Stand by, next time round we’re bringing the workplace superhero out of you, and your boss…. Get your capes….

Tim :)

Schema Coaching - Go Deeper