COACHING + CONSULTING | Part 3
How do you feel when you arrive somewhere for the first time?
Has anyone guided you to figure out what to do to belong in a new place?
In this blog series, we are talking about the impact of relocation on the well-being of accompanying families. We discussed the interdependent components of well-being, shared specific examples of each one for you to think about which ones resonate more with your experiences, and introduced how REA coaches address the first three components, emotional, economic, and physical, by adapting what they do from the perspectives of coaches, consultants, and coachsultants.
Let’s look at specific examples of how REA coaches address other interdependent components of well-being; social, spiritual, intellectual, financial, and environmental, as coaches, consultants, and coachsultants.
SOCIAL | Coaches explore how accompanying families are becoming integrated into their new communities and how they feel so far; they often ask about what activities families are enjoying and gauge if families feel isolated. As consultants, they suggest professional groups, community organizations, and events for accompanying families to participate in based on what families like to do. As coachsultants, they find out how participating in these activities contributes to the families’ integration into the new social space, find out what may be keeping them from achieving their goals, and create opportunities for families to practice particular skills before they join a group.
SPIRITUAL | Coaches respectfully acknowledge the principles and values that guide the lives of accompanying families, understanding that, sometimes, these families may find that few others share their beliefs and practices. They become consultants when they gather information about opportunities for families to remain active members of their devotional communities and any other ways to satisfy those needs such as meditation practices. In turn, as coachsultants, they seize the opportunity to ask questions about the families’ sense of belonging in those particular communities and provide specific advice about the importance of maintaining those practices as a way to strengthen the families’ beliefs and build new relationships.
INTELLECTUAL | Usually coaches find out about what opportunities to grow accompanying family members would like to pursue upon their arrival at their new communities and what they want to achieve; taking language courses is a common example. As consultants, they research and bring information about free language courses, lectures, after-school activities, certifications, general interest courses, and book presentations among other resources. They find out what accompanying families can do to maximize the benefits from those activities, such as volunteering during events, and suggest what families can do to prepare for those new experiences when they become coachsultants.
FINANCIAL | Coaches ask questions about the accompanying families’ current and future lifestyles and what adjustments they are willing to make to achieve their financial goals. For example, some accompanying families may need to modify their salary expectations based on the cost of living in their new communities and on preparing for other financial needs such as the children’s college education. They shift to being consultants to provide accurate data and trustworthy resources such as financial advisors for families to make the best possible financial decisions. Moreover, as coachsultants, they encourage clients to consider different financial scenarios and then steer conversations to obtaining and providing the information that families need.
ENVIRONMENTAL | Coaches ask questions to identify what families enjoy doing outdoors and the benefits they get from doing so. Acting as consultants, they get into specific details about activities, venues, facilities, and events happening in the families’ new communities. Becoming coachsultants, they explore interests that families may not have considered and how much time commitment they would like to make to pursue those interests before matching them with appropriate groups.
What did you discover about your family’s well-being after reading these blogs?
Which components of well-being are most important for you and your family right now?
REA’s coaches specialize in assisting professionals and their families in addressing these issues. You don’t need to navigate your family’s relocation alone -- we’re here to help! Check out REA Flex Coaching services and REA's website to help you get a jumpstart on your path to a successful relocation!