Situation

Rita is a high-performing, passionate school teacher at risk of burnout. With a loving husband, a beloved daughter and a reputation for excellence in her career, she found herself exhausted by her self-imposed demands for excellence and mastery of her work and family life. Still, in spite of great success, she felt that she has not "arrived" in life, and that, quite possibly, she had missed out on all real chances to reach the potential she had always imagined. She started arguing with students and parents, and looking for an escape hatch. She was thinking of leaving teaching and possibly, her marriage.

Sample outcome (one of four)

• Become more skillful in giving voice to your experience.

Sample Program Elements

• Read the book, Difficult Conversations.
• Observe a habit of multi-tasking and its effect on equanimity through self-observation.
• Practice taking risks in conversations by balancing the need to make things happen with the desire to explore possibilities and deepen relationship.
• Re-tell life story, mining each segment for life lessons and preparation for what's next.

Results

As Rita learned to express herself more openly and fully, she re-assessed her view of her life, and became clear that she is in the right spot, and doing the work that matters to her. As she learned to speak more truthfully about her experience, Rita was able to take in the evidence, inside and all around her, that she had truly arrived in her life.

Situation

Dave is a successful consultant who facilitates international projects for a consortium of national enterprises, all of whom have competing interests as well as some shared goals. With a history of  hidden agendas and unspoken conflicts, Dave knew he needed to find a way to cut through to the truth of these competing interests, but his own self-effacing, conflict-averse personality was making this a big challenge.

Sample Outcome (one of four)

• Develop a grounded, strong, alive presence and the increased capacity to withstand turbulence from within and without.

Sample Program Strategies

• Observe patterns and habits of feeling strong and grounded, and situations that bring feelings of weakness and lack of energy.
• Experiment with body stances that contribute to feelings of strength and stability.
• Identify and practice a core set of techniques to maintain presence before and during difficult conversations.
• Cultivate strength and aliveness through a regular practice of Aikido. 

Results

Dave is enjoying his work much more fully, and has been able to cut through to the truth in many situations at work. He's received feedback from others that his tactful methods have indeed helped others to share information and points of view crucial to the overall success of the efforts they are all seeking.