Unleashing Leadership Potential with the Baton Leadership Coaching

Leadership, professionals, work /

In 2023, Mary, became a first-time entrepreneur with a vision to make a mark in the business world. Full of innovative ideas and determination, she started her journey to lead a startup. However, she soon realized that having ideas was just the tip of the iceberg. Finding her leadership sweet spot and successfully navigating the complex startup landscape was more challenging than she anticipated. Her Challenges were: She struggled to define her leadership style and establish her authority within her startup team. She was unsure of how to balance being a visionary leader and a hands-on team player. Her startup lacked a clear niche, and they were struggling to find their target audience and establish a unique value proposition in a crowded market. The fast-paced nature of the startup world often left her overwhelmed, uncertain, and in need of guidance on critical decision-making. The Solution: Mary decided to join the Baton Leadership Coaching program Cohort 1 in search of clarity, guidance, and personal growth. Here’s how the program helped her unlock her leadership potential: Through group and one-on-one coaching sessions, she gained insights into her leadership strengths, weaknesses, and unique qualities. With the guidance of her leadership coach, she started to build a leadership identity that was true to herself. With the help of a leadership coach, Mary was able to define a clear niche for her startup. They identified untapped opportunities and devised a strategy that set her business apart. The Baton Leadership Coaching program provided Mary with the tools to enhance her decision-making skills. She learned how to prioritize tasks and allocate resources effectively, leading to a more streamlined and efficient startup. The program connected her with experienced mentors and a supportive community of like-minded emerging leaders. This network became a valuable resource for advice, collaboration, and inspiration. https://patrickachola.com/           The Transformation: With the insights and skills gained from the Baton Leadership Coaching program, [Young Professional’s Name] transformed from a struggling startup founder into a confident and purpose-driven leader. She was able to take her startup to new heights and achieve significant milestones, including increased revenue and market recognition. Here’s Why This Story Inspires Fellow Emerging Leaders: Mary’s journey is a testament to the transformative power of effective leadership coaching. Her success story is inspiring to emerging leaders in business for several reasons: Many young professionals and startup founders face similar challenges. Mary’s story is relatable, demonstrating that with the right guidance, anyone can unlock their potential. The concrete results Mary achieved, such as business growth and success in a competitive market, showcase the practical benefits of the Baton Leadership Coaching program. Her story empowers others to take charge of their leadership journey and consider the impact of coaching in their personal and professional growth. Here’s Why You Should Apply for the 3rd Cohort of Baton Leadership Coaching: Are you a young professional or an emerging leader in business who, like Mary, is struggling to find your leadership sweet spot? If so, the 3rd cohort of the Baton Leadership Coaching program offers a unique opportunity to unlock your leadership potential and achieve success. In this program, you’ll receive personalized coaching, from the lead coach and consulting sessions our founder Shi will be facilitating. You will gain clarity on your leadership style, and develop the skills needed to thrive in today’s competitive business landscape. Additionally, you’ll join a supportive community of fellow emerging leaders, providing a network of mentorship and collaboration. Don’t miss the chance to make your leadership journey a success story like Mary’s. Apply for the 3rd cohort of the Baton Leadership Coaching program today and experience the difference for yourself. Email shi@toxicworkspaces.com to learn more on how you can be part of the 3rd cohort in January 2024. Invest KSH 25,000 and join us as we unlock your leadership potential together!  

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Why It Is So Hard To Leave A Toxic Work Space

wellbeing, work /

The person you report to at work is important to your health. Most people I have had conversations with perfectly understand they are in a toxic work space, but it is so hard to leave and this post aims to help you understand WHY. Let’s start with how the toxic work space drains all the energy and leaves you feeling drained, you feel like you are not in control, you struggle with decision making, you are mostly eager to leave, but somehow you are paralyzed that taking the next steps becomes impossible. Allow me to give a scenario: If you barely sleep, you are always walking on eggshells, most times you are anxious or restless, and you have days when you have to or feel the need to defend yourself at work, where will you get the energy you are required for an interview. Another reason I noted is related to societal norms which we indirectly conform to. This creates a psychological burden and we end up activating some invisible gears that make us want to prove we aren’t weak because if you think about it, no one likes to come off as a quitter. Which is strange because quitting isn’t as bad as we have been made to think it is. The other reason why you are not likely to leave your toxic work space is the autopilot that governs our day-to-day actions. We have an ability to rationalize things: “Oh I can handle whatever is thrown at me.”  What this does is create a mental narrative that makes it harder to decide to leave even though it’s killing us slowly. So, now that we have an idea why it’s hard to leave a toxic work space, what can we do? I would suggest that you find buddies who’ve been through a similar situation, but those who aren’t willing to die for a paycheck. Because we tend to be influenced by others, such people will influence you to initiate your own change. The next thing will be ensuring you don’t subject yourself to continuously putting out fires to prove that you are strong enough or can handle anything thrown your way.  Be vulnerable enough to accept you can’t fight a system but be careful not to eventually succumb to appeals from your ego that may tend to question whether you are good enough.  

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How to have a restful holiday

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The holiday season is said to be “the most wonderful time of the year.” But often, it can be a two-sided coin when it becomes the most stressful time for others as it is marked by a larger than usual to-do list and a full calendar of events. A new year is just around the corner. Is it a time of awakening for you?: a time to think back on how you have spent the last 365 days, and a time to plan for the year ahead. How are you REALLY feeling? How do you plan to slow down? As an entrepreneur, how do you put out that entrepreneurial fire burning within you—how do you ignore the drive and persistence that have been your most important assets this year? Here’s a guide to help you relax during your break – call it the Zen of Holiday Rest.  Figure out why you need the time to Rest ask yourself “Why?”. Why do I want to leave my day-to-day existence? Why do I want to disrupt my lifestyle? Is it because I like travelling? Do I want to make someone else happy – my partner, my kids or my boss who tells me I’m “burned out? Once you have the basics right, the rest will usually follow. And you can truly relax.  Embrace mindfulness Its basic principle is focusing on the present through sensory stimuli, thereby distracting the mind from the thoughts which can trigger a decline in your mental health. When you go on holiday, you are not forgetting your problems, you are merely swapping them. Be Ready to Rest Before you take the time to rest, complete your to-do list at work and tie up any loose ends – including setting an “out of office” on your email and handing over any key projects to work colleagues.  Have a structure If you don’t plan at all, your holiday will be over before you know it. Try to wake up at a sensible time, plan a morning activity, an afternoon activity and an evening activity.  Unplug Try wherever possible not to check your emails, leave work phones at work and don’t take any other work-related memorabilia with you. If you really want a break, you will have to leave those Digital devices. You’ll want to take photographs, so why not try digging out your standalone point-and-shoot camera or DSLR? And don’t worry about uploading your pics to social media; you can do it when you’re back. Have a restful holiday.

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Onsite Or Offsite Training? Find Out Which Model Is Best For Our Company

Leadership, professionals, work /

If you are here because you’d like to know which model is best for our company, then you are in the right place. In 2023 we are designing and hosting offsite conversations that matter. The forums are designed to help bring high impact, high quality conversations with people who have left Toxic Work Spaces. We deliberately choose to run our training and forum sessions away from the usual office set-up.  We are aware that this approach adds to costs and also increases the amount of time employees spend away from their work but we still went for this option. When designing our training and forum sessions for 2023, we had to answer: “Should we do the training onsite or offsite?” The answer was dependent on many factors. There were and still are advantages and disadvantages to both models. What we decide includes many considerations like cost, participant location(s), time, customization, and availability of trainers. Offsite models are our favorite because they provide a more relaxing setting in a venue that is away from the office, allowing for a better focus on the training itself. If we ask participants what is their biggest distraction, the common answer is digital devices and because technology is stealing our time and attention, we love taking advantage of reducing the daily work distractions by making our offsite training very attractive. We have customized our off site training and forums in a way that we all unplug to reduce some of the distractions of email messages or other communication media. The forums are designed to help bring high impact, high quality conversations with people who have left Toxic Work Spaces. We have observed that conversations that should matter about work today are often rushed, low quality, or even skipped in favour of day-to-day responsibilities and the culture of silence. To us, conversation design is both an art and a science and I must test and practise it, especially when those conversations focus on topics like life after leaving a Toxic Work Space. We are designing customized forums with the goal of advocating for better and  work spaces. We’d like you to look at this like a journey because the kind of conversations we want to have should be seen as a journey that requires personal reflection and perpetual listening and cannot happen after one forum. I have identified where many of the leaders get it wrong or stuck. How It Works We focus on the story of self: We ask a question that evokes a personal story perhaps in the past. This question establishes shared empathy and the basis of trust before the conversation moves to deeper communal challenges. Story of Us: Where do we come in is a question that allows the common shared struggle to emerge. This question puts all cards on the table, pointing out the tension, the “unspoken” and inviting participants to connect the issue to deeper systemic challenges. Story of Now: Where are we now after leaving a Toxic Work Space is a question that sparks a sense of urgency or action. This question lifts participants from the depths of doom and cultivated empowerment and hopefulness by encouraging personal responsibility. If you are looking for a customized trainer, contact us at admin@toxicworkspaces.com

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How My First REST Retreat Changed My Life

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I went on my first retreat after learning the value of taking time to unplug and rest and it changed my life!   It opened me up to new ways of living, starting from a place of wellness & empowerment. I love retreats, mainly for the self-development aspect – you get to spend focused time on you. Find out what’s working, what’s not. I personally find it hard to listen to my true soul desires unless I stop, get some space & focus in. A retreat is the perfect environment for that. On retreat, you experience little shifts and a whole lot of rest. When you’re resting, that’s when inspiration can most easily get through to you. You know – that lovely feeling of connection, knowing and gentle pulling towards something that will bring you joy? At Toxic Work Spaces, we customize a variety of retreats to choose from, depending on how deeply you will brave to go within! There are health retreats, yoga retreats, healing retreats, self love retreats, meditation retreats, spiritual development retreats… the list goes on.   So, are you wondering if a retreat can help you right now? Let’s see how many of these you say ‘yes’ to…  You feel tired everyday You feel stuck or bored of your current life You find yourself dreaming of a better life You experience panic attacks or anxiety regularly You feel disconnected and disengaged   So, if you answered YES to more than a couple of these signs, consider looking into going on a retreat. The outcome is priceless – you can’t buy peace, knowing and clarity. If you ever have any questions about retreats or anything this post relates to, send shi@toxicworkspaces.com, I would love to give you any advice I can!

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The Returnship Forum

Leadership, professionals /

Life happens and sometimes your career takes a backseat – but what about when you’re ready to return to work? We have a returnship forum for experienced professionals returning to the workforce after more than 1-2 years off employment for reasons like full-time parenting, bereavement, care-giving, a gap year, layoff, or other life needs or experiences like quitting a toxic work space.   Our returnship forum offers you a platform to talk Hopes and Chat Fears about returning to the workplace.  You’ll learn how to re-imagine your  personal brand, share new experiences, mentor, and make connections with other professionals transitioning back to the workforce.   The forum is also a chance to learn about new processes, integrate with the work culture, and build relationships with coworkers. Many returnships also give participants coaching and mentorship to help them adjust to working life again. The forums, which will be monthly, will be open to professionals who have at least 3 years of professional experience and have been out of the paid workforce for at least one year to focus on caring for a child or other dependent. If you meet these criteria, we welcome you to attend our forums.

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How To Start A Wellness Journey In 2023

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Do you wish to start on your well-being for various reasons but feel lost or overwhelmed? Have you probably watched different videos and tried multiple quick diets & exercises which have made you feel unmotivated? If you responded YES to one or both of the statements, don’t worry, we have been there. We’d like to share how to start a wellness journey that works for you today. Before we get to that, it’s important that we first understand a few of the most asked questions people have regarding starting a wellness journey. What is Wellness, and why is it important? Wellness means “a state of being in good health as an active pursuit goal.”   What is a health journey? Being healthy is not a one-day thing you achieve; you never have to work on it again. Instead, it is a journey and even reaching a certain level of well-being happens with time for some people, it takes months and years, and even then, there is no end line to it. You have to keep working on it for the rest of your life.   What are the 7 types of REST The 7 Types of Rest To learn more about the 7 types of REST Read More How to start your wellness Journey There are a few points and tips to know when starting your wellness journey. The first thing to keep in mind is, again- It’s going to take time, and you will start seeing results gradually. You have to start by focusing on one area at a time; once you have become comfortable with it, you can add another. Whenever you would like to give up – Think about your why. What is the reason for you starting this? It will keep you going! Stay consistent in all the steps. It’s okay to take breaks in between and miss our Routine but get back on track from the next day onwards!   Here’s a step by step Guide! Know Your Why The first step towards starting your wellness journey is first to know the motive behind it, What is the real reason you want to start a wellness journey? If your motive needs to be clarified, you will give up easily during challenging times; if you are starting it because of pressure or comparison, then again, you will not enjoy the process and will give up eventually. Identify your current wellness Once you have identified why you need to know where you are currently in terms of Wellness. How is your mental, physical, and emotional health? How would you rate your financial and social life? Be 100% Honest. Set realistic Goals Once you know your current position, it is time to set goals and It is imperative to be clear and realistic about your wellness goals! In this step, being patient is very important as it is very issued to get influenced and excited to go for quick hacks Remember, Every Journey is different; for some, it may take a while, and some may have to put in a little extra work. Choose one Goal Setting various goals for all 7 areas may feel overwhelming and too much. Do not make the mistake of starting with all areas altogether. Develop Habits for the same After Choosing your goals, you need to list all the habits you can start to accomplish! Break it down and add to your Routine You should further break it down more simply and add it to your Routine. The more you break it down into small steps, the easier they will look! For example- you choose to work out 3 times a week at home to start your wellness journey to get fit. Be adjustable Even though being a disciple is ideal and great, there are times when life gets in the way, but there is a festival or early meeting, you are not well, and so on. Changing your years of habits and lifestyle is no joke; it comes with challenges. Don’t get disheartened. Be Flexible and set another time for it, or start again tomorrow! Learn daily Learning every day about your goals and various effective ways can help you get deeper and faster in your wellness journey. Track Your Journey Tracking your whole Journey is terrific and meaningful; not only can you look back and see how much you have grown ( which is such a beautiful feeling), but you also set new goals. Take pictures, and write down in a journal before and after. Make It Fun Last and most important, to make your Journey Fun and enjoy the whole process Like I said in the beginning, It is not a one-time thing but instead a lifestyle. You have to enjoy it every day to continue and see actual results!   Would you like hep in customizing your wellness journey email admin@toxicworkspaces.com

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Are You Experiencing New Year’s Scaries?

professionals, work /

Most people have always found the turn of the calendar year difficult. This is typically caused by a whole bunch of factors that add up to create an underlying sense of unease and dread. Add to that some uncertainty about the new year is a perfect ingredient for anxiety or new year’s scaries.   With new year’s resolutions everywhere, it can be a setup for anxiety.  For most people, when they think of the new year, instead of hope and optimism, they feel a sense of dread, loneliness, loss or sadness? For some, the beginning of a new year can slowly and steadily start to feel like falling into a black hole.   Most of us partake in the annual Christmas and New Year celebrations and rituals, which include reflecting on the year and creating resolutions for the one ahead. Although these traditions can be enjoyable, there are many reasons why they may leave us feeling depressed.   If you’re struggling with feelings of anxiety about the upcoming new year, you aren’t alone. It’s important to recognize and acknowledge how you are feeling; this can often be the first step towards making active, positive changes that can help improve your overall mental health and well-being.

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