Training & Coaching News from Smart Coaching Training

03/10/2020 By Eric Moore

The Age of Anxiety

“West Side Story” composer Leonard Bernstein’s Symphony No. 2 The Age of Anxiety was composed from 1948 to 1949 in the US and Israel. It is titled after W. H. Auden’s poem of the same name. Was 1949 the Age of Anxiety or is it now? Most of us have some form of anxiety in our lives and with the continued events of 2020 it is becoming more prevalent.

Our trainer Eric Moore. Ask about individual and group wellness at work coaching

Coping Mechanisms

To combat anxiety people will employ different coping mechanisms to help deal with their anxiety. These may include, exercise, going for a walk, listening to music, or some other form of distraction, though when it strikes these often fail, because the problem is neurological, so therefore to successfully cure anxiety the changes need to take place at the neurological level. Another mechanism many use is to try and avoid the situations that cause them to feel anxious or panic. This though prevents, change and growth. Another thing I often come across is hearing clients say “It happens to me – I don’t make it happen”. This mindset can unfortunately prevent the person from taking ownership of the problem.

Causes of Anxiety

Anxiety is caused by an over arousal of the autonomic nervous system, so someone will often get anxious before they even know it, and by the time this happens it’s too late. So they say “it’s not my fault since it happens automatically”. However they created it due to reacting to an external stimulus such as crowded spaces, social gatherings, giving a presentation. This can then generalise, so even the thought of it becomes enough to create the anxious state.

Fight or Flight

This triggers the fight or flight response in part of the brain called the amygdala and can cause a myriad of issues both psychologically and physiologically. Dry mouth, sweaty palms, palpitations, racing heartbeat and thoughts, tightness or pain in the chest to name a few.

Internal Dialogue

Taking responsibility and owning it is one of the steps to overcoming this debilitating issue towards recovery. Anxiety and panic is often a function of the internal dialogue and the images one creates in the mind. Intervening by changing the images and speed of what is said internally are key to becoming anxiety free. Now, depending on the type of anxiety there will be more activity in one hemisphere of the brain and another tool for change is to engage both hemispheres whilst thinking of the anxious state. If you are curious about to take back control and become anxiety free then join our workshop here on send us a message here.

Written by Eric Moore , Smart Coaching & Training Ltd.

23/04/2020 By David Rigby & Martin Kubler

I’ve never been to me

Becoming confident enough to be yourself

‘I’ve never been to me’ is a song by Charlene which went to No 1 in the UK charts in 1982. For many it is the worst Motown Number One ever, but is pertinent to the situation (COVID-19) we find ourselves in now.

The cheesy lyrics include the lines ‘I’ve been to Nice and the Isle of Greece… but I’ve never been to me’. It is about having to always be someone else and never being allowed to even find out who you are, let alone actually be that person.

Forward to late 2019, and many in the music industry, as in many other industries, are forced to subsume themselves into industry norms and accordingly standardise their personalities. Paradoxically the most successful have not done this. Good recent British examples have been Amy Winehouse and Adele who refused to follow the norms. An outstanding American example, even subject to a BBC Radio4 Profile, is the singer Lizzo – larger than life in every category, a phenomenal singer and performer who has no need of pitch correction in her performances.

Come 2020 and COVID-19, the requirement of the performers to be who they are and deliver has never been on show quite so much as the ‘One world’ show where performers such as Lady Gaga, Sam Smith and Andrea Bocelli, and many others sang together, each performing from their own home. No lavish productions or autocorrect to prop them up. And, of course, it is significant who is not performing and the conclusions we can all come to about their skills.

How does this affect us?

Many of us are now in lock down and the only places you can go are shops to buy food or pharmacies to pick up meds – the rest of the time, you are at home, either by yourself or with some version of immediate family.

It is the perfect time to discover who you really are – a great opportunity for self-examination, and if you don’t like the ’me’ you actually are, you can set about changing it.

Many are using this period as a great opportunity to organise themselves, deal with all the filing and position themselves for the future. And then see others, via Zoom, who are in a bad way, and cannot cope with the uncertainty.

Sphere of influence

The ‘sphere of influence’ model is useful here. Issues divide into three :

Inner circle: those issues you can deal with by yourself;
Outer circle: those issues you can deal with by collaborating with others;
Outside both circles: those issues which you absolutely have no influence over.

Many of the issues thrust upon us by COVID-19 are things we have no influence over, so the first step is STOP worrying about things you can do nothing about.

Divide the things you CAN do something about into three categories:

Things which are essential to your well-being which you can do on your own. (If you don’t look after yourself then you won’t be able to look after others);
Things which are essential to your well-being, which you need to ask or influence others to attain;
Things which are essential to others’ well-being which you can deliver to them (whether or not they have asked).

These can include:

Ensuring you eat enough healthy food to stay fit but not fat, with, if you want, exercise;
Keeping your distance when out and wearing a face mask to assuage the concerns of others;
Really learn to appreciate yourself and potentially change the characteristics you don’t like;
Keep in remote contact with others and support them when they need in the best way you can;
Decide what you will do when this is all over and prepare yourself for it.

And finally: examine the way you communicate with other people:

Do you understand them well enough to understand how they prefer contact?
Do they understand you well enough to understand how you prefer contact?.

Always assuming you understand yourself well enough to know your own preferences.

This downtime is the lifetime opportunity to discover who you really are and what you really need. The chance to ‘be to me’.

For further discussion and remote coaching, contact us here, or, for Europe info@smartcoachingtraining.com +44 3335660067 and for Middle East hello@spsaffinity.com +97156 652 5970. Take a C-me colour profile to better understand your communication preferences..

Written by David Rigby and Martin Kubler

12/04/2020 By David Rigby

Deportment 2020: Know how to ‘talk the talk’ and ‘Zoom the Zoom’

In these days of COVID-19 you not only have to ‘talk the talk’ and ‘walk the walk’ but you have to appear good on Zoom. Not only do you have to sound good you have to look good too, And not just you – you are most likely to be working and broadcasting from home – so the view of your home must also give the right impression. I notice every one judging what you look like when you have not been able to go to the beauty salon, nail stylist, or hairdresser for weeks and having to do your own cleaning due to lockdown. Tolerance of shady presentation skills won’t be accepted for long either – so brush up those skills too!.

While you are practicing your body posture and setting up the appropriate lighting and soundscape for your broadcast, whether a serious business meeting or a chat with a distant neighbour take a look at the article below I wrote for Al Arabiya News about deportment training for some stars in the 1960’s. And note how much still applies today. Below is one of many of these articles as published in 2015.

Deportment: Know how to ‘talk the talk’ and ‘walk the walk’

It’s now the winter holiday season, and just like in the UK and USA, here in the UAE you see the girls dressed in impossible heels and wearing designers while staggering to various social venues. One difference here is that, in general, they are not freezing to death on the way to their chosen location.

They may have the designer frocks, but few of them know how to walk elegantly or indeed talk elegantly. There is an old British expression “You can take a girl out of Essex, but you can never take Essex out of the girl.”

This is because they don’t know about Deportment.

Way back in the early 1960s there was a developing record business called Motown. Based out of a house called “Hitsville USA” in Detroit. In those early days one of several vocal groups was called The Supremes. They were often known as the ‘no-hits’ Supremes as at the time every record had flopped.

But like everyone else in the Motown roster, they went to American etiquette instructor and talent agent Miss Maxine Powell to learn about deportment.

And this is what The Supremes learnt
• Perform in front of the mirror – see how you look
• Sing with a smile – not like you are in pain
• Learn how to sit on a barstool elegantly, walk stairs, get out of cars
• Always introduce yourself first, then the visitor introduce themselves
• Never see anyone for 20 minutes after a show
• Continue to grow until there is no breath in your body

In England you were taught how to handle a dazzling array of cutlery in case you went to an exclusive dinner. But the main message in all of this that you will know what to do when you meet the Queen of England.

And this is the message.

That group of three lean individuals from low grade subsidised government housing in The Brewster Projects went on to become worldwide stars. 12 number one hits in USA in three years. That was just the start.

And in 1965 they performed at Britain’s prestigious Royal Variety performance and indeed met the Queen of England.

And they knew how to conduct themselves! Years of lessons about deportment both on and off stage meant they knew exactly what to do. As did many other stars in the Motown roster which included Martha & The Vandellas, Marvin Gaye and Stevie Wonder – all megastars in their own right. I first saw Stevie Wonder perform when he was 14.

For those who don’t remember The Supremes you may know their lead singer, Diana Ross. In a recording career spanning almost 50 years she sold over 140 million records and is still performing to great reviews today while in her seventies.

But what distinguished them from the rest? In many cases they were the first black girl groups to break into the largely white supper clubs and TV shows. Sure, they can sing, but they could also put on a good show, deal with the audience and not be scared of anyone.

Why could they do this? Because they had deportment.

In the old days in Britain, the rich girls ‘came out’ (different meaning today!) after going to finishing school. They learnt how to walk in heels with a set of books balanced on their heads. These days you can record yourself, take selfies, and video yourself moving around. So observe and improve – sometimes you can’t see it yourself but a coach can help you.

Just putting someone in a posh frock and high heels doesn’t work. To again quote Margaret Thatcher: “If you have to tell people you are a lady – then you aren’t”.And all this applies in a slightly different way to the guys too!

Both need to both ‘talk the talk’ and ‘walk the walk!’

Learn all the skills before it really matters – and when time comes you can walk into the audition or job interview an unknown and come out a star!

David Rigby is a founding director of Smart Coaching & Training. He is based in Europe as an international keynote speaker, trainer, consultant, and executive coach. He developed a training practice focusing on Behavioural Preference Profiling and Signature Corporate Training suite.

15/09/2023 By David Rigby

A journey onto and across the bridge of consciousness

Save the date: this Thursday 21 September 2023 FREE event

Supporting the evolution of the individuals and teams through their journeys of expanded awareness and challenge – A journey onto and across the bridge of consciousness.

Life is often a “leap of faith” when undergoing stages of significant life changing transition — loss, birth, the responsibilities of parenthood, a career change — while sometimes we are confronted with circumstances way beyond our control or understanding of why they are happening to us.

In these moments, we grapple with profound questions:

What and Why are all these situations happening?
Why are the strategies that once served me no longer working?
What have I done wrong to deserve this?
Who am I really? Do I actually have a purpose?
Which path should I tread?

Often, faced with the above people continue forward without really addressing the questions, slipping back into autopilot. They lose connection to their core self, staying too connected to the familiarity of the ego and lower self; sometimes, this leads to depression, anxiety, or burnout.

Coaching aims to work with individuals and teams as coachees to help support them walk “their path less travelled” (Their unique journey) by trying to identify where the coachee is positioned and operating from on the consciousness bridge of the Soul, between the mundane 3^rd dimensional ego world on one side of the bridge through to the higher spiritual dimensions of the Spirit on the far side. The step we need make is the next one on the path, but where am I? In our upcoming webinar, three coaches from diverse fields and working with different stages on the bridge will share their personal stories — starting with Leadership Coach Dr. Pari Namazie, Psychosynthesis Counsellor and Coach Sheona Della-Fort and Wizard, Corporate Alchemist and Practical Mystic Malcolm Lewis; all expertly moderated by Founder of Smart Coaching & Training David Rigby

They will try to reveal how they redefined their purpose as a result of spiritual experiences, overcame their own unique challenges and pay this forward to the people and communities they encounter.

They will share:

What transitions did they go through?
What was their learning?
What role did Presence and Spirit Based Coaching play for them?
How do they support others in their journey?

Join us as we explore the transformative potential of Presence and Spirit Based Coaching (PSBC), learn from the experiences of these remarkable coaches, and embark on a journey towards integrating body, mind, and spirit, and reconnecting with your inner wisdom.

The Power of Presence and Spirit Based Coaching WEBINAR 21 September 2023

Join Smart Coaching & Training’s Presence and Spirit Based Coaches Dr Pari Namazie, Malcolm Lewis and Sheona Della-Fort on 21 September 15:00-15.45 CEST (14:00 to 14:45 BST)(17:00 to 17:45 GST) to hear how they guide individuals through a transformative process of self-exploration and personal growth. They employ a unique and holistic approach that emphasizes the integration of body, mind, spirit, and soul to help their clients tap into their fullest potential. Book your place for this FREE event via eventbrite link here.

Smart Coaching & Training works with 20 associates, in four continents speaking 12 languages and raised and working in a wide range of cultures. See our associates here.

23/08/2023 By David Rigby

Facing the Big Questions in Life

Save the date Thursday 21 September 2023

At some point in our lives, there comes a time when we seek a deeper sense of spirituality. We face major challenges, experience setbacks, reach a crossroads — and we yearn for something more.

Perhaps we are undergoing a significant life transition — loss, birth, the responsibilities of parenthood, a career change — or maybe we find ourselves confronted with circumstances beyond our control.

In these moments, we grapple with profound questions:

Why is this happening?
Why do the strategies that once served me no longer suffice?
Why me?
Who am I? What is my purpose? What path should I tread?

Often, people continue forward without addressing these questions, slipping into autopilot mode. They lose connection to their core, sometimes they stay too connected to their ego. Sometimes, this leads to depression, anxiety, or burnout.

It is only when we pause and question the turmoils within that we open the door to self-discovery and raise our levels of consciousness. It is not an easy journey, but it can be a rewarding one. Through every transition there is a period of discomfort, but coming out the other side, there is awareness, surrender and peace.

In an upcoming webinar, three coaches from diverse fields — Leadership Coach Dr. Pari Namazie, Wizard and Corporate Alchemist Malcolm Lewis, Psychosynthesis Counselor and Coach Sheona Della-Fort, and moderated by Founder of Smart Coaching & Training David Rigby — will share their personal stories. They will reveal how they redefined their purpose, overcame their own unique challenges and pay this forward to the people and communities they encounter.

They will share:

What transitions did they go through?
What was their learning?
What role did Presence and Spirit Based Coaching play for them?
How do they support others in their journey?

Join us as we explore the transformative potential of Presence and Spirit Based Coaching, learn from the experiences of these remarkable coaches, and embark on a journey towards integrating body, mind, and spirit, and reconnecting with your inner wisdom.

The Power of Presence and Spirit Based Coaching WEBINAR 21 September 2023

Smart Coaching & Training works with 20 associates, in four continents speaking 12 languages and raised and working in a wide range of cultures. See our associates here.

31/07/2023 By David Rigby

Wake up and smell the coffee

by David Rigby

Introduction for Diversity Success WEBINAR Thursday 14 September 2023

Dorleta Gonzalez will interview SCT MD David Rigby to discuss diversity success in a webinar on Thursday 14th September – Book your place via Eventbrite here

“Wake up and smell the coffee” is a favourite expression of my favourite estate agent. This message therefore is aimed at the 50% who work with feelings over facts, or who are emotional rather than logical. Logically this message has no effect on those 50% of the population unimpressed by the call to emotion.

Then he is assuming that everyone loves the smell of coffee which they don’t. So, he is alienating more people than he is impressing with his message. It’s the same with selling cars – imagine xxx does not impress 50% of the potential buyers. On the other hand , of those logical ones, 50% don’t do detailed facts either. So bombarding people with detailed facts may impress just 25% of your target customers.

If all your team thinks the same as you, then the likelihood is you will target the 25% of your potential market. Your team might tick all the boxes regarding race, sex, age, sexuality, religion etc but if you all think the same way you are missing out on maybe 75% of sales.

It is a recognised fact that diverse teams get better results, but only if the team is properly diverse and the individuals properly belong. A board full of the male pale and stale and the token woman only deals with ‘women’s issues’ is not a diverse board. If the male, pale and stale think differently then they may be a more diverse board than if it’s made up of a people which are “technically” diverse. And the same goes for your teams.

Recruiting a team or board which is cognitively diverse is the best chance of success. How would you know? By using profiling tools to assess your current team and the kind of persons you would want to complete your team or board. We recommend using colour profiling assessments and team wheels. For more information look at this page

Diversity and Success WEBINAR 14 September 2023

Join our Smart Coaching & Training’s MD David Rigby on 14 September 17.30- 18.15 CEST (16.30 to 1815 BST)(19.30 to 20.15 GST) being interviewed by Dorleta Gonzalez about how using colour profiling and team wheels to develop a team or Board which is truly diverse – that is cognitively diverse. Book your place via eventbrite link here.

Read about Diversity here and about Profiing here

Smart Coaching & Training works with 20 associates, in four continents speaking 12 languages and raised and working in a wide range of cultures. See our associates here.

28/06/2023 By David Rigby

Presence and Spirit based Coaching

by Smart Coaching & Training’s Pari Namazie, with Sheona Della-Fort and Malcolm Lewis

Background reading for Presence and Spirit Based Coaching WEBINAR Thursday 21 September 2023

This is article is written by associates Pari Namazie, Sheona Della-Fort, Malcolm Lewis with help from Chat-GPT The topics in this article will be discussed in a webinar on 21st September – Book your place via Eventbrite here

In the chaos of modern life, we often find ourselves longing for a deeper connection to our true selves and seeking guidance to navigate the challenges that come our way.
In a world characterized by constant distractions and disconnection, the practice of cultivating presence is more crucial than ever. Presence and Spirit Based (PSB) Coaching encourages individuals to be fully present in the moment of NOW, engaging their senses (5 Senses) and emotions as well as tapping into their 6th sense of deep intuition. By deepening awareness of the body, tuning into the wisdom of the higher mind, nurturing the Spirit of the Higher Self, and honoring the essence and development of the Soul, individuals can access deeper and more profound insights, clarity, and purpose. PSB coaching provides the tools and practices to navigate uncertainty, manage stress, and find resilience amidst challenges. By fostering a deeper connection to ourselves and the world around us, it empowers individuals to lead with compassion, purpose, and authenticity, ultimately creating a more care for Humanity.
In addition to working with the mind, body and emotions, PSB Coaches fully acknowledge the spiritual and soulful aspects of human existence, not just the psychological and practical factors in our world. Spirit and Spirituality, in this context, doesn’t necessarily refer to religious beliefs but rather to a sense of connection to something much larger than ourselves. It involves exploring our values, our purpose, and the deeper meaning of our lives coupled with exploring the unconscious parts of ourselves and the collective, which restrict our coming fully back into wholeness.
PSB Coaches create a safe and supportive space for individuals to explore these dimensions of themselves. They help clients uncover limiting beliefs, clarify their values, and align their actions with their authentic higher versions of themselves. By integrating body, mind, spirit, and developing their soul, clients can experience profound personal growth, increased self-awareness, and a deeper sense of fulfillment.
We come to coaching to explore our potential, unravel limiting beliefs, and create meaningful change. PSB Coaching offers a safe and nurturing space where you can be seen, heard, and supported, as well as Witnessed, as you follow your personal inner and outer journey. It recognises that true transformation requires a (w)holistic approach that honors every aspect of our being. Through skillful guidance and mindful practices, the approach enables you to tap into your inner wisdom, individuality and personality , align with your desired values, and cultivate a greater sense of authenticity and fulfillment.

Presence and Spirit Based Coaching WEBINAR 21 September 2023

Join our Presence and Spirit Based Coaches and Smart Coaching & Training Malcolm, Sheona and Pari on 21 September 15:00-15.45 CEST (14:00 to 14:45 BST)(17:00 to 17:45 GST) to hear how they guide individuals through a transformative process of self-exploration and personal growth. They employ a unique and holistic approach that emphasizes the integration of body, mind, spirit, and soul to help their clients tap into their fullest potential. Book your place via eventbrite link here.

Smart Coaching & Training works with 20 associates, in four continents speaking 12 languages and raised and working in a wide range of cultures. See our associates here.

07/06/2023 By David Rigby

Design Thinking, Digital Skills and Leadership

by Smart Coaching & Training’s Marc Mekki

This is article is written by associate Marc Mekki international keynote speaker and trainer.

What do Apple, Ikea, Bank of America and AirBnB have in common? They have all relied on Design Thinking as a powerful methodology and mental framework for driving product and service development. So what is Design Thinking? Think of it as a mental upgrade; a piece of ‘mind-ware’ for teams tasked with assessing, prototyping and testing new ideas in their market, be that for the purpose of a commercial deployment as a for-profit corporation or SME, or to drive intra-organisational change and innovation as a public sector entity, association or NGO. Deploying Design Thinking within an organisation during a volatile era will save time, money and morale. Teaching people how to unlock their inner resourcefulness and quickly create simple prototypes driven by an empathetic grasp of real market needs is what makes this such a powerful framework. I’m an MIT Sloan Certified Design Thinking expert and have successfully used the methodology for 20 years. I’ve trained hundreds of people from corporates, non-profits, associations and startups. Digital Skills & Leadership Training Other topics I’ve covered for global companies in aviation, energy, mining, retail, hospitality and beyond:

Digital Transformation

The ins and outs of emerging technology, what to know, what to look out for and what to avoid. Deep dives into AR/VR, Cloud, Blockchain and AI. What is the difference between digitisation, digitalisation and digital transformation; how do you interpret and leverage the hype cycle; what new skills do you need to acquire? This is a highly immersive course for high potentials and even seasoned leaders looking to get up to speed in a brave but challenging new world.

Digital Leadership

Understanding the power, potential and pitfalls of new technology is one thing, having the leadership skills to navigate teams through unprecedented change another. Learn to leverage the power of an iterative, lean approach; find out how to launch and and foster an innovation lab; drive experimentation and rapid prototyping using state of the art new tools.

Virtual Collaboration

We live in a global, distributed world and no matter how many offices reopen, having the skills and knowledge to effectively collaborate digitally is indispensable. What are the tools and techniques to do this most efficiently? When do you use collaboration tools like Miro and Notion, or when do you put on the VR headsets and dive headfirst into VR collaboration. The digital transformation course is hands-on, highly practical and delivers greater efficiency and teamwork, no matter where people are located.

Smart Coaching & Training works with 20 associates, in four continents speaking 12 languages and raised and working in a wide range of cultures. See our associates here. Marc is currently delivering training in Dubai and managing projects in Neom in Saudi Arabia

In conjunction with Professional Speakers Association (Spain) , SCT’s David Rigby will be present at the TEDx Marbella Spain event on June 9 focussing on Entrepreneurs

The Age of Anxiety

Coping Mechanisms

Causes of Anxiety

Fight or Flight

Internal Dialogue

I’ve never been to me

Becoming confident enough to be yourself

How does this affect us?

Sphere of influence

Deportment 2020: Know how to ‘talk the talk’ and ‘Zoom the Zoom’

Deportment: Know how to ‘talk the talk’ and ‘walk the walk’

A journey onto and across the bridge of consciousness

Save the date: this Thursday 21 September 2023 FREE event

Supporting the evolution of the individuals and teams through their journeys of expanded awareness and challenge – A journey onto and across the bridge of consciousness.

The Power of Presence and Spirit Based Coaching WEBINAR 21 September 2023

Smart Coaching & Training works with 20 associates, in four continents speaking 12 languages and raised and working in a wide range of cultures. See our associates here.

Facing the Big Questions in Life

Save the date Thursday 21 September 2023

The Power of Presence and Spirit Based Coaching WEBINAR 21 September 2023

Smart Coaching & Training works with 20 associates, in four continents speaking 12 languages and raised and working in a wide range of cultures. See our associates here.

Wake up and smell the coffee

by David Rigby

Introduction for Diversity Success WEBINAR Thursday 14 September 2023

Diversity and Success WEBINAR 14 September 2023

Presence and Spirit based Coaching

by Smart Coaching & Training’s Pari Namazie, with Sheona Della-Fort and Malcolm Lewis

Background reading for Presence and Spirit Based Coaching WEBINAR Thursday 21 September 2023

Presence and Spirit Based Coaching WEBINAR 21 September 2023

Smart Coaching & Training works with 20 associates, in four continents speaking 12 languages and raised and working in a wide range of cultures. See our associates here.

Design Thinking, Digital Skills and Leadership

by Smart Coaching & Training’s Marc Mekki

Digital Transformation

Digital Leadership

Virtual Collaboration

Smart Coaching & Training works with 20 associates, in four continents speaking 12 languages and raised and working in a wide range of cultures. See our associates here. Marc is currently delivering training in Dubai and managing projects in Neom in Saudi Arabia

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