Personal Note from Rachel

When was the last time you paused, reflected, and strategically aligned who you are and aspire to be with what you do?

Most of us are chronically busy.  Many of us even wear this as a badge of honour.  

However, my personal experience, and my experience from coaching 1000s of clients from multiple industries who live in a wide variety of personal, professional, and business contexts, is that busyness is a very seductive, false friend.  

It often masks the real work that leads to true prosperity—financial and time freedom and the freedom to contribute our strengths, skills, and expertise to meet personal, professional, business, and societal needs.

This month, as we explore the theme of Prosperity, I invite you to consider what it truly means for you. Prosperity is not just about financial success; it’s about creating a balanced life where you can thrive in all aspects. It’s about prioritising the time to reflect, the resources to grow, and the freedom to make meaningful contributions.

In this issue, you'll find insights on cultivating a prosperous mindset, which I believe is the cornerstone of positive workplace practice. We will also delve into reflective practices, crucial for pharmacists, leaders, and coaches alike. These practices not only enhance your professional development but also help in aligning your actions with your deeper purpose.

I’ll share my reflections from the recent Coaching.com Summit for Executive, Team, and Leadership Coaches. The summit reinforced the importance of continuous learning and the impact of coaching in navigating the complexities of leadership. I hope my learnings will inspire you to invest in your development, particularly in mastering the skills required to lead with coaching—a transformative approach to leadership.

Lastly, I encourage you to take advantage of the opportunities to engage in cross-professional reflective practice and super-vision. These sessions are designed to help healthcare professionals, mentors, and coaches gain new perspectives, fostering a collaborative environment where everyone can prosper.

Prosperity is within reach for all of us. By pausing, reflecting, and strategically aligning our goals and actions, we can create a fulfilling and prosperous life.  Remember, an intentional, fulfilled life doesn't just happen.  It must be consciously created by you.  However, our best thinking almost never happens in the busy-ness of DOING.  It emerges in mindful, reflective time alone and in partnership with those who create a space that opens our creativity, innovation and curiosity.  Without you prioritising yourself, this space to create the conditions for prosperity won't emerge.   

So, when do you prioritise time to pause, reflect and strategically align who you are and who you aspire to be with what you do? 

4Front’s 6Ps of Positive Practice focus on Mastering Six Inter-Connecting Factors – Purpose, Personal, Professional, People, Products & Services, and Prosperity.

This Month's Focus: The Prosperous Mindset: A Cornerstone

of Positive Workplace Practice

Introduction:

In business and healthcare, fostering a positive practice goes beyond protocols and procedures; it starts with cultivating a prosperous mindset. A prosperous mindset, as we explore the 6Ps of Professional Excellence, emerges as a vital factor for leaders. Guided by leadership coaching, Positive Intelligence, and Red Team methodologies, a prosperous mindset equips leaders to navigate challenges, inspire innovation, and lead with excellence.

Defining Prosperity vs. Impoverishment:

Prosperity Mindset: A prosperous mindset is characterised by a focus on abundance, growth, and opportunity. It entails seeing possibilities even in adversity and fostering an environment of positivity and innovation.

Impoverished Mindset: Conversely, an impoverished mindset is marked by scarcity thinking, fear, and negativity. It often leads to stagnation, missed opportunities, and reduced morale.

The Impact of Prosperity on the Other 5Ps:

• Purpose: A prosperous mindset aligns with a clear sense of purpose, inspiring leaders to stay committed even in challenging times. An impoverished mindset can lead to a lack of direction and motivation.
• Personal: Personal growth and well-being are nurtured by a prosperous mindset, fostering resilience and emotional intelligence. In contrast, an impoverished mindset can lead to stress, burnout, and reduced personal development.
• Professional: Continuous learning and excellence are driven by a prosperous mindset, ensuring leaders stay at the forefront of their field. An impoverished mindset can result in complacency and a lack of professional growth.
• People: Building strong relationships and fostering teamwork thrive in an environment fueled by a prosperous mindset. An impoverished mindset can lead to conflicts, a toxic work environment, and strained relationships.
• Products & Services: A prosperous mindset encourages a focus on delivering value to customers, aligning with their needs. An impoverished mindset can result in a disconnect between products and customer expectations.

The Critical Role of Prosperity in Life:

Cultivating a prosperity mindset isn't just critical to professional excellence; it's a cornerstone of a fulfilling life. A prosperous mindset influences health, wealth, and happiness. It leads to better health by reducing stress, supports wealth creation through innovation and opportunities, and fosters happiness by focusing on abundance rather than scarcity.

Leadership Coaching's Role in Cultivating Prosperity:

Leadership coaching, supported by Positive Intelligence and Red Team approaches, empowers leaders to:

• Identify Saboteurs: Recognise and overcome negative thought patterns that foster an impoverished mindset.  CLICK HERE to identify your saboteurs.
• Cultivate Sage Qualities: Develop qualities such as empathy, resilience, and a growth mindset that drive prosperity. CLICK HERE to identify your strengths.
• Set Clear Goals: Define a clear path toward a prosperous practice aligned with personal and professional values.  
• Innovate: Encourage innovative thinking to navigate healthcare challenges with a prosperous mindset.

If, having completed this exercise, you would like to schedule a Strategy Session with me, CLICK HERE.  Your life is too precious to leave to chance.  

If you are interviewing a coach you are considering working with to empower you (and/or your team) to progress your goals, here are some questions you could consider asking - and my responses to those questions.

• Rachel | 10 Questions to Ask Your Coach

Upcoming Opportunities for Coaches, Mentors and Super-Visors

The busiest, most productive and most inspiring professionals schedule regular time for reflective practice. 

They are

• less prone to burn-out,
• more fulfilled in their career and
• have fewer blind-spots when it comes to wisely navigating challenges and dilemmas. 

If you are considering partnering with me to support you to prioritise and schedule dedicated time to hone your reflective thinking skills and practice by availing of group or one-to-one super-vision or mentor coaching, CLICK HERE.

If you are interviewing a mentor coach or coaching super-visor you are considering working with to deepen your reflective practice, build your personal leadership skills and progress your goals, here are some questions you could consider asking - and my responses to those questions.

• Rachel | 10 Questions to Ask your ICF Mentor Coach
• Rachel | 10 Questions to Ask Your Super-Visor

Recent Events

ICF Ireland Participation in 25@25 Ulster University Leadership Development Programme 

From Gemma-Louise Bond, my 25@25 coachee.  'Friday marked the last day of teaching & formal time together as part of 25@25 at Ulster University. Everyday over the last 9 months, I’ve pinched myself that I actually MADE it to be one for the 25!  Doing a “leadership course” might sound very ordinary - but this was no normal course. Celebrating 25 years of the Belfast Good Friday Agreement and thinking about the next 25 years and what I will contribute to our society as a leader.

I suppose I entered the programme with a very defined idea of what a leader was - and from experience, it wasn’t always the most flattering of adjectives I would have used.

What I learned is that there’s only one of me. My well-being is important. Leadership is best loosely held. It takes a village to make and sustain a leader. My voice is valuable, and it should be used. Speak up when you see something you don’t like. And trust yourself. Leadership is for every level - not just those at the top of their career.'

 View the complete post HERE.

Upcoming Events

ICF Ireland | LinkedIn Live | 23rd July 

Since the emergence of the disciplines of Positive Psychology, Emotional Intelligence and Coaching in the past two decades ago, behavioural science researchers, leaders, educators, coaches and mentors have been grappling with finding the most effective ways to motivate and engage individuals and teams to deliver high performance and innovation while also mitigating the risk of stress and burnout.  

CLICK here to join me on LinkedIn live with David O Grady on Tues, 23rd July, 13:30-14:00 Dublin/London time as we discuss Using Strengths and Behavioural Assessments in Coaching. 

Most of us are intimately familiar with our flaws and weaknesses. 

But do you also know your personal character strengths that make up the best of who you are? 

If not, I invite you to CLICK HERE to take the Values In Action (VIA) to identify your strengths and apply that knowledge to

• improve relationships,
• enhance health and overall wellbeing and
• buffer against and overcome problems. 

The VIA Survey is free.  If you would value a comprehensive 90-minute Strategy Session with Rachel to explore how you could apply your strengths to achieve a personal, professional, or business goal, CLICK HERE.

If, having completed this exercise, you would like to schedule a Strategy Session with me, CLICK HERE.  Your life is too precious to leave to chance.  

As a subscriber to my newsletter, I will share my key learnings from the following 8 leadership themes throughout the year. These themes include

• AI & Technology
• Business Development
• Coaching Methodologies
• Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
• Leadership & Organisational Development
• Neuroscience & Psychology
• Practitioner & Client Wellbeing
• Teams & Team Coaching 

You will have exclusive access to global 'Lead With Coaching' thought leaders. Their valuable insights and practices are directly relevant to your current and future growth, making you part of an elite group with unique learning opportunities.

The programme is designed to equip you with 'Lead With Coaching' skills that can be immediately applied to enhance communication, decision-making, and team leadership. These skills are theoretical and practical tools for driving personal, professional, and business success and fostering a positive workplace culture.

It offers many resources, including educational materials, to support continuous learning. As your coach, trainer, mentor, or supervisor, you can be confident that I am staying up to date with the latest trends, coaching methodologies, and leadership strategies, which support our work together as you develop mastery in your leadership and achieve sustainable success.  

As an implementation mastery facilitator, I facilitate mastermind groups with global participants each week, where we share best practices and challenges and learn different approaches to addressing challenges and optimising practice.  If you have queries linked to any of the themes mentioned above that you would like me to bring to these mastermind groups on your behalf, please send an email to rachel@racheldungan.com with your request.  I intend to share the question and the insights I gain with you and other newsletter subscribers in future newsletters.

As 'The Pharmacist Coach', I recently participated as an official facilitator at the 14th Annual Coaching.com Summit. This opportunity enhanced my skills and knowledge for the 'Lead with Coaching' programme. Throughout the three-week event, I engaged in 35 live sessions led by renowned experts like Marshall Goldsmith and Marcia Reynolds. I gained valuable insights on coaching, witnessed live coaching demonstrations, connected with a global community of coaches, and stayed updated on the latest trends in coaching research. The experience provided numerous learning opportunities to develop my professional growth further and benefit my clients.

There were hundreds of learnings and possible CPD cycles to write up! Below are SEVEN examples aligned with the themed summit learning tracks that resonated with me and were relevant to my client's work.

1. Coach and Client Wellbeing
2. Leadership and Organisational Development
3. Teams and Team Coaching
4. Coaching Methodologies and Demos
5. Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
6. Business Development
7. Neuroscience and Psychology

In our latest newsletter, I continue to delve into the insightful themes discussed last month. While previously highlighting Coaching and Client Wellbeing, Leadership and Organisational Development, and Teams and Team Coaching, this month's focus shifts to explore Coaching Methodologies and Demos, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, Business Development, as well as Neuroscience and Psychology. Join me as I share newfound knowledge and reflections on these essential topics.

Coaching Methodologies & Demos:

• Book: Breakthrough Coaching: Creating Lightbulb Moments in Your Coaching Conversations
• Book: Game Changers at the Circus: How Leaders Can Unleash Greatness in Their Organizations

When I train leaders and managers with coaching skills or mentor pharmacists in consultation skills, I always provide opportunities for learning and development in the role of practitioner, client, and observer. There is so much to learn from all three positions. One of the gifts of the Summit is observing ICF-MCC colleagues coaching live. Each coach-client partnership is nuanced and different. I love observing Jean-Francois Cousin and Marcia Reynolds coaching because they apply masterful coaching skills in their unique, authentic way. They both work internationally with C-suite executives and their teams. I get to listen back and learn from the sessions through different lenses - that of the coach, that of super-visor, that of the trainer, that of the student. Marcia's coaching demo focused on 'Sparking Lightbulb Moments in Coaching Conversations' using Reflective Inquiry. Jean-Francois' coaching demo focused on 'Coaching Artistically to Unleash Client Greatness.' For him, the coach's role is like art. 'Art is not what you see, but what you make others see.' Edgar Degas.

When was the last time you engaged in reflective practices, such as participating in observed conversations/consultations (as practitioner, client, and observer? Have you recently reviewed recordings of your conversations or used a competency framework to self-reflect on strengths and stretches in your professional leadership and practice?  

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI):

• Book: The Art of Active Allyship: 7 Behaviours to Empower You to Push The Pendulum Towards Inclusion At Work

In my coaching, I have noticed that many challenges leaders experience in leading others relate to their difficulty understanding where others are coming from. In a world of five generations in the same workforce, global working across time zones and cultures, and increasing societal diversity, increasing our awareness of how others experience their world and our leadership is vital. Dr Poornima Luthra, author of 'The Art of Active Allyship,' 'Leading through Bias' and 'Diversifying Diversity' shared insights on how to be an active ally in the workplace and why we should all care. A quote from her session that stood out is, 'Privilege is assuming something is not a problem because it is not a problem for you'. My clients have found coaching to be especially valuable in exploring how others experience the world and how they can be better allies to those who encounter barriers to feeling seen, heard, and valued. I have also found coaching to be super-helpful in aiding clients to articulate and make their needs visible where they feel undervalued, unappreciated, or excluded, often unintentionally. In many cases, the leader's impact on the organisation's culture has been palpable, positively impacting employee retention, productivity, and innovation.

As a leader, what are your reflective practices for actively uncovering your biases, and how do your behaviours, actions, or remarks impact others?

Business Development

• Book: What Got You Here Won't Get You There

Technology, including Artificial Intelligence (AI), is a major disruptor in every industry. Courtney Sanders outlined how she uses AI tools such as chat.openai.com, vidyo.ai, and gamma.ai as support tools for her business and to amplify the value her business creates. Marshall Goldsmith shared how he created Marshall Goldsmith.ai as a legacy project to share his wisdom and contribute to the world.

How could you use AI to amplify further the value your business creates?

Neuroscience & Psychology:

• BOOK: Tiny Habits: Why Starting Small Makes Lasting Change Easy

Many of my coaching clients and leaders have ambitious, important dreams they feel called to fulfill. However, they can become quickly overwhelmed as the enormity of the endeavour required to manifest that dream becomes apparent. Empowering clients to install and consistently integrate habits and take consistent action towards their goals is a key benefit of a coaching partnership. Once you have identified your big vision or dream goal, speaker James Garrett from BrainbyDesign shared how creating Mini Habits aligned with your dream is a 'Small Tool for Big Success.' We can benefit from the compound interest effect over time by consistently and intentionally installing helpful habits aligned with our goals. And it does take time! Consistent, deliberate practice is key. Do you know how long it takes to install a new habit? Building on BJ Fogg's research on habits, current research indicates it takes approximately 66 days - harder habits take a little longer, and easier habits take a little less time.

Motivation is unreliable and willpower runs out. This is where mini-habits become a winning strategy. Why? According to James Garrett,
Consistency wins. 'We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act but a habit.' Aristotle.

• Mini-habits build confidence (self-efficacy)
• Mini-habits build motivation because motivation follows consistent action.
• Mini-habits build willpower
• Mini-habits boost autonomy and flexibility.

Are you and your team's habits 100% aligned with your big vision/dream? If not, what 2-4 mini-habits would be most useful to begin to install immediately?  

📚 Discover Books to Elevate Your Learning Journey!

Welcome to our book corner, where we curate insightful reads to complement your learning from our workshops on Coaching Methodologies and Demos, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, Business Development, and Neuroscience and Psychology.

Breakthrough Coaching: Creating Lightbulb Moments in Your Coaching Conversations	Game Changers at the Circus: How Leaders Can Unleash Greatness in Their Organizations	The Art of Active Allyship: 7 Behaviours to Empower You to Push The Pendulum Towards Inclusion At Work	Tiny Habits: Why Starting Small Makes Lasting Change Easy	What Got You Here Won't Get You There: How Successful People Become Even More Successful

Upcoming Opportunities for Leaders, Managers and Supervisors 

Coaching: 4Front's ABCDE™ Pharmacist Coach Academy

Bespoke 1-2-1 Coaching for Experienced, New and Aspiring Supervising & Superintendent Pharmacists.  

Are you ready to elevate your leadership impact in the pharmacy sector? Introducing the Pharmacist Coach Academy, where bespoke 1-2-1 coaching awaits experienced, new, and aspiring supervising & superintendent pharmacists.

Ideal for high achievers seeking to maintain peak performance or rediscover their passion, our programme is designed for the self-directed, curious, and ambitious. Whether you’re newly appointed or a seasoned leader, embracing coaching can be a powerful catalyst for revitalising your workplace culture and scaling your business.

Our approach isn’t for those seeking remedial solutions or fixating on external faults. Instead, it’s for seasoned and aspiring leaders willing to participate in introspective growth and leveraging their capabilities and influence for positive change.

Unlike training or mentoring, coaching delves into personal growth and tailored strategies that amplify leadership effectiveness.  As Rachel's client, you will have a strategic thought-partner who will collaborate with you in various creative processes designed to inspire you to maximise your and your team's personal and professional potential.  

Join those who value ongoing learning and refuse to settle for OK. Invest in yourself and your team, break free from the status quo, and click here to explore our brochure detailing programme benefits, structure, and how coaching can transform your pharmacy leadership journey.  Alternatively, email rachel@racheldungan.com to schedule an exploratory call. 

Know that most of my clients were apprehensive about their first coaching session and wished they had invested in themselves earlier than they did.  Few know what to expect.... and it is hard to predict because each coaching partnership is unique and different.  In this case, real experience tends to be a better judgment than anticipatory prediction!

Coaching sessions can be fun, challenging, thought-provoking, strategic, supportive, liberating, generative, confronting - and ultimately rewarding.   I deeply appreciate and admire each of my clients, not just for what you achieve, but more for the initial courage it took for you to partner with me as your strategic thought partner and the courage it takes to go on your leadership journey, to persist in the face of your challenges and fears and cultivate your inner strength, to become a version of yourself that you are increasingly proud to be.

Rachel Dungan is a true Master Coach. Her expertise is wide, her compassion deep, and her wisdom profound. As a coach, I have an excellent “pretense detector,” and with Rachel, there’s never an off-note. She is 100% authentic, whole, and full of care – regardless of the subject at hand. She has the strength to call you on your B.S. and the understanding to hold you in your pain. She will push you to stretch beyond your limitations to become a better leader, and then show you how your limitations were self-imposed. She is beyond a coach. She is the kind of person you want as your best friend. Don’t miss any opportunity to work with Rachel as your coach. L. Goodman, Founder Clear Beliefs Institute.

'Lead With Coaching (LWC)' Training (Time-Sensitive and Cohort Based)

For Leaders, Managers and Supervisors to develop the Coaching Leadership Style 

Our first two  Lead with Coaching Core Skills (Foundation) cohorts occurred between February and June.

We had thirty-five participants (a mix of managers, leaders, and directors) who completed all four in-person dates and the two days of mentoring and practice that followed online.  We received very positive feedback.  Participants come from a range of industries, which provides the opportunity for leaders to expand their thinking beyond the confines of their industry expertise and practices. 

Our Sept/Oct cohort is filling fast.  Three companies, which represented nineteen participants (six, seven, and six) of the twenty-four from our first cohort, are planning to send their next-level management and teams to the upcoming courses.  We invite you and your leadership team to avail of the unique opportunity to join them, and us on our next 'Lead With Coaching' Course in Sept/Oct.  

LWC-CORE SKILLS COURSE THREE: September/October 2024 (6 Days - 4 In-Person, 2 online)

• September (In-Person) - Tuesday 10th & Wednesday 11th (Landmark Hotel, Carrick-on-Shannon, Co. Leitrim)
• September (In-Person) - Tuesday 24th & Wednesday 25th (Landmark Hotel, Carrick-on-Shannon, Co. Leitrim)
• October (Online) - Wed 2nd
• October (Online) - Wed 9th

CLICK HERE for the full brochure, including

• Programme outcomes
• Focus for each module
• Why develop yourself and your team as leaders and managers
• Participant feedback
• Meet the 'Lead With Coaching' team

CLICK HERE for the full brochure, including

• Programme outcomes
• Focus for each module
• Why develop yourself and your team as leaders and managers
• Participant feedback
• Meet the 'Lead With Coaching' team

The Women In Leadership Development (WILD) Network 

Women Leadership (Coaching.com Foundation and WILD - Women In Leadership Development partnership): Through partnerships with Coaching.com Foundation and WILD, I support leadership development aimed at creating social impact. In coaching women leaders, I help them overcome barriers and amplify their influence. This experience enriches my coaching practice with a deep understanding of gender dynamics and leadership challenges, which I leverage to empower female leaders within my client organisations, fostering inclusive leadership cultures that drive innovation and performance.

The Women In Leadership Development (WILD) Network is dedicated to elevating the importance of investing in female professionals working in the global development sector.  In 2020, WILD partnered with Coaching.com Foundation to launch its Global Women's Leadership Coaching Programme.  To date, 339 women from 140 different organisations in 80 countries have completed the six-month WILD Global Leadership Coaching Programme.  

• 84% of leadership coachees said coaching was a life-changing experience
• 96% said it helped them to make progress towards long-term development goals

The changemakers from WILD embrace this customised leadership development opportunity with open arms. The latest cohort is reading a short article with 9 principles for becoming a more authentic leader, and they are encouraged to make some notes on the following areas before they meet their coach.  I invite you to join them in reading the article and reflecting on the following questions.  

• What you do well in these areas and where do you want to be at this time next year?
• Describe your aspirations in as much detail as you can.
• Consider how this shift would possibly impact your ability to drive dialogue, action, and change

If, having completed this exercise, you would like to schedule a Strategy Session with me, CLICK HERE.  Your life is too precious to leave to chance.