Post by Ken Burger

What strikes me as I think about my experience working in a partnership arrangement, like the Indianapolis ICF and HealthNet have entered into, is the increased pool of energy that is almost immediately created. From the moment I got wind of a possible partnership opportunity I felt energy from just the idea of it.

This phenomenon, having caught my attention, makes me curious about why it is producing energy for me.

One thought comes to mind. Isn’t it intrinsically satisfying to just be helpful or to be helped? Its kind of what we say to someone when we partner up, “We can help each other.” Even a heartfelt gesture of simply shaking hands in agreement can muster increased energy.

Thinking of the equation, “The whole is greater than the sum of its parts” and the idea of symbiosis also reinforces the idea that increased energy is an understandable result of a partnership. 

When someone responds to you in a way that says, “I trust you enough to work with you” isn’t that another shot of energy?  And there is the idea of providing a service to one another, of giving that energizes. Having an outlet for your energy to plug into, to be of value to someone, to know that a little bit of help means a lot and goes a long way; all these are very energizing.

Entering into a partnership should provide an avenue to bring value, to do that thing that you do, to let people know you’re out there.  A list of benefits for both parties would be extensive and eye-opening.

I certainly have a deeper sense of awareness and appreciation for the many positives resulting from a good partnership. That could go on the list.  As for me, it’s definitely been about the energy.

I became a coach in 2007.  Prior to that time I had served in a number of senior leadership roles over a 30 year business career.  I became a coach to help individuals and groups of people find greater performance in their business lives and greater satisfaction in their personal lives.

That ‘connection’ with those that I coach is a sacred space.  I am often afforded a look into a person’s most vulnerable self.  In that moment I must be able to respond with gentleness and respect.  Often, that ‘look’ inside provides the clue(s) as how to best guide them to personal discovery that enables them to unlock one or more keys to substantial growth.

HealthNet is a place of many sacred places and spaces as professionals work to deliver physical and behavioral care…many times to those who can least afford it.  They change lives through education, the quality of their interaction and influence with the patients, and the physical and emotional healing they are able to provide.

Coaching and those that work at HealthNet are in the business of helping people become more of who they were created to be.  We both use our training and our gifts to reach people and help people get from where they are to a better place.

I appreciate the opportunity to serve HealthNet in my capacity on the Board, and as a coach contributing to the advancement of the HealthNet Leadership Academy.  This has been a great experience!

HealthNet is cultivating leaders and you could be next!  In April, HealthNet’s Senior Leadership Team formed the HealthNet Leadership Academy.  The Academy is comprised of professional coaches who have enjoyed success in business and now have a passion to identify and cultivate leadership within the HealthNet organization.  Imagine my surprise when I was given the opportunity to take part in the HealthNet Leadership Academy and have my skill set evaluated by those who have a proven track record of success in business and leadership.

During the first meeting we were introduced to nine “Coaches” who presented us with brief biographies of themselves.  Subsequently, we were instructed to select one Coach from the group who would provide three leadership sessions with us individually.

After two sessions with my coach, Jim Struck, I am convinced that this has been one of the most empowering opportunities that I have ever been presented.

Together, my Coach and I have quickly identified areas of improvement that are attainable and realistic.  I am excited not only for myself but for others like me who will benefit from the expertise of these professionals.

There is an old proverb that says; Give a man a fish and you will feed him for a day, teach him how to fish and he will feed himself for a lifetime.  I know that the Healthnet Leadership Academy has been a benefit for me.  I wonder “Who’s next?”

Post by Lynn Zettler

When I left a successful 20-year career to start a coaching business, I wondered how I could help others to continuously grow, expand and stretch to be the masters of their career, business and life.

When our local ICF Chapter set out to partner with a local nonprofit to give back to our community through coaching, in recognition of International Coaches Week, I wondered how we would be able to pull it all together, match coaches with clients effectively and measure success.

Now, having helped dozens of companies through my coaching business, and partnering with the nonprofit health services provider HealthNet for International Coaches Week, I’m continuously reassured that good people come together to do great things.

I am highly impressed with the executive leadership of HealthNet and their commitment to the professional development of their leaders, and their openness and excitement about bringing coaching into the organization.  Having been matched as a coach for one of their leaders for three sessions has also shown me the high caliber and standards of their leaders, and their openness to embrace even higher aspirations for themselves.

My main reason for enrolling in the nonprofit coaching project was to be a part of something that was contributing to our community in a positive way, while also teaching and raising awareness around what professional coaching is, and that coaching is alive, well and growing in the Indianapolis area. I’m excited to be a part of the industry, a part of the International Coach Federation, the local ICF Chapter and this incredible opportunity to contribute in some way to the mission of HealthNet by helping their leaders achieve even more!

In April HealthNet, Inc. began piloting a new staff development program for its up-and-coming leaders, thanks to the help of volunteers from the Greater Indianapolis Chapter of the International Coach Federation (ICF). The six-week initiative pairs emerging leaders with a personal career coach for one-on-one leadership coaching.  The coaches and participants will celebrate lessons learned at a reception on May 20, 2014, during International Coaching Week (May 19-25, 2014). Throughout the week we’ll be posting blogs from HealthNet staff as well as coaches taking part in this new staff development program.

Check out our first blog from HealthNet staff member, Stacey Bedwell, RN.

“I have had the privilege of working for HealthNet for the past 4 ½ years.  When I joined the HealthNet organization, I had little knowledge of the mission of HealthNet.  In the past 4 years, I have grown to love not only the patients that we serve, but also the staff who come to work every day and share the same mission that I do.  I feel very fortunate to be a part of this great place.  After working in direct patient care for the first 15 years of my nursing career, HealthNet has taken me into a totally different direction professionally, the direction of leadership.

When I was approached to be part of the Leadership Academy, I was a little anxious.  I assumed that being asked to participate in this meant that I had some shortcomings that my leader saw in me.  However, once I understood the purpose behind professional coaching, I became excited at the possibility of growing myself professionally.  I am very grateful that HealthNet sees the value of this, and I am also flattered that I was chosen as one of the few to participate.  I chose my coach and have had the opportunity to meet with her. She has been very helpful in asking me pointed questions regarding where I see myself professionally in the next 5 years, and how I achieve those goals.  Already, I am seeing a key area that I can grow in, and I look forward to meeting with her again.

The main thing that I have learned is that you should always have a “next” goal.

When you work to achieve something, and you achieve it, you should then have a new goal that you work to achieve.  Being a  part of the Leadership Academy is helping to ensure that I never stop growing.