When someone is at a crossroads in their life, their coach or mentor will need a special set of tools to point them in the right direction.
Whether it’s a business leader or any other individual that has come to you for guidance, chances are, they are hoping to find a way to fulfill their life’s purpose. They can feel that something isn’t quite right and want to be nudged in a direction that will bring them greater satisfaction. But when someone’s daily activities are not in alignment with who they are at their core, dissatisfaction is inevitable.
To truly help, you’ll need to know them on a deeper level by uncovering their unique behavioral nature.
Signs That Someone May Be at a Crossroads
There are certain critical points in person’s life when they stop to question what they are doing and why. The feelings they experience can be overwhelming and could lead to depression, a stalled career, or a number of other negative outcomes. Here are a few telltale signs that a shift in direction may be needed:
Feeling a lack of energy to complete tasks, or even to get your day going
Feeling a loss of connection with and trust in your true self
Feeling stuck and unsure of what you want
Feeling like you have nothing valuable to share or talk about with others
Having an inability to make decisions
The Universal Signpost
No matter what their role is in a business, everyone desires to do a job that is both satisfying and meaningful. But when those endeavors lose their appeal or are unappreciated, people lose their sense of direction…and often lose interest and initiative as well.
The result is a nagging frustration, like an itch they can’t scratch or a longing that can’t be met. Unless the crux of the issue can be revealed, individuals can’t change direction and realize their life’s purpose. And, without this same revelation, leaders can’t create the space for team members to achieve it.
Whether it’s capped success or recurring stress, every issue boils down to one clear truth–the lack of self-knowledge. Revealing who people are at the core, how they think and make decisions, is the best way for them to get in sync with their true nature and get where they want to go. Personal behavioral insights are the universal signpost leading to the fulfillment of their life’s purpose, and you can be the one holding it up for them so see.
Leaders Want to Know:
What is my leadership style?
What is my communication style?
What is my decision-making style?
What is my management style?
Individuals Want to Know:
What are my natural strengths?
What is the ideal role for my talents?
What might I struggle with if required of me every day?
How can I add value to my team?
How can I find my life’s purpose in work?
Getting Below the Surface
When coaching or advising others, you’ll want to address their inherent behavioral traits before anything else. There are metrics, processes, and tools that can help them know themselves, engage, and grow within their organizations. Get a head start by having them complete the DNA Natural Behavior Discovery process. The output will be a wealth of behavioral insights that help you point them toward their life’s purpose and lift a heavy emotional weight off their shoulders as well.
Armed with in-depth insights, you’ll be able to help them accelerate their performance, enabling them to achieve success on all levels regardless of where they sit in the organization. At the macro level, you’ll learn their overarching behavior style, the style that sort of “sets the tone” for how they prefer to live and work.
10 Unique DNA Behavior Styles:
Adapter: Compliant, Respectful, Courteous
Community Builder: Easy Going, Promoter, Understanding
Engager: Outgoing, Expressive, Talkative
Facilitator: Balanced, Discerning, Harmonious
Influencer: Ringleader, Assertive, Visionary
Initiator: Results Driven, Logical, Decisive
Reflective Thinker: Considered, Focused, Stable
Relationship Builder: Advocate, Dependable, Loyal
Strategist: Evolutionary, Visionary, Structured
Stylish Thinker: Sharp, Cutting edge, Precise
Beyond the styles, however, there is a unique assortment of measurable traits that contribute to how an individual operates in the workplace. They’ll learn about their natural work talents as well as their struggles. Then, they’ll have the data they need to make informed decisions that move them in the direction that is right for them.
Unlocking a Person’s Full Potential
An integral part of the coaching process is to help people find out who they are beyond any formal education or learned skills. It is only then that they will be able to recalibrate their compass and find their way to reduced stress and a happier, healthier life.
When people find themselves in a role that they are technically qualified for, but one that rubs against the grain of their behavioral nature, it’s time to reassess. A person who is naturally inclined to dig into the details will be constantly stressed if expected to always make major decisions on the fly. On the contrary, someone who is visionary might feel stifled if every idea they had required a mile of red tape to even be heard.
Eventually, they will either be miserable in their success, or succumb to failure.
It can take time to find where you belong, but self-awareness is a huge step in the right direction. You can help others find their strengths, then find roles or organizations where they can be fully utilized and appreciated. This will help them unlock their full potential and embrace a life of purpose and fulfillment.
And guess what? You can try the discovery process for yourself to see what it reveals about you!