Leading Minds Executive Coaching engagements include a nuanced and individualized focus on 4 encompassing dimensions of human wellness and stress management. Throughout the coaching process, my Associates and I take care to support clients in ensuring that they proactively attend to the “4 M’s”: Medical wellness, Mindfulness, Mindset shifts, and Meaning Structures:
- Medical wellness. Individuals can only develop leadership capacity, grow their businesses, and achieve fulfillment if they have a foundation of basic health. That is why we have regular coaching discussions about life fundamentals such as sound sleep, good nutrition, exercise, and “downtime.” We encourage clients to consult with physicians for appropriate medical care when necessary and with mental health professionals if they struggle with challenges like anxiety, depression, or attention deficit disorder.
- Mindfulness. In addition to basic medical wellness, we encourage and empower clients to hone their stress management skills. Mindfulness strategies (such as meditation and controlled breathing) are particularly powerful for some clients who need help with pausing in the midst of their frenetic daily lives, so that they can think more clearly, set priorities, plan strategically for the future, and execute on their goals. We help clients to develop practical strategies that they can realistically incorporate into their hectic daily lives.
- Mindset shifts. All Leading Minds clients receive expert coaching on how to recognize their self-defeating and self-limiting beliefs. We all sometimes doubt and criticize ourselves. Strong coaching helps clients to choose positive, yet realistic, beliefs about themselves and their situations. Drawing on cognitive psychology and the power of a “growth mindset,” we challenge clients to question their negative underlying assumptions and choose a forward looking belief system that can drive action plans for success.
- Meaning structures. In both careers and personal lives, human beings thrive when they tie to their everyday activities to a higher life purpose. Coaching conversations can help clients to identify their core values and define their “highest good.” This self-understanding enables clients to strive toward joy and fulfillment in all aspects of their lives. It can also deepen their sense of interpersonal connectedness, which in turn can strengthen the quality of life and success of other people in their work and personal lives.
You can read more about the Leading Minds model for wellness and stress management in the following publications:
Harvard Business Review: To Succeed as a First-Time Leader, Relax
Harvard Business Review: Manage Stress by Knowing What You Value
Huffington Post: Coaching Executives to Regulate Their Emotions: The Role of Mindfulness Strategies
Get In Touch
Contact Dr. Brendel for a consultation to assess whether his Executive and Career Coaching services are a good fit for you.
Think Talk Create
A brilliant counter-narrative for restoring humanity to the bottom-line, numbers-obsessed culture of the modern, 21st century workplace.
What Others Say
I am a female in-house attorney for a mid-size national corporation in the construction industry. I called on David to help me find my way in my role and to improve my relationships with my management, co-workers, and staff. He was the perfect coach for my needs.RC, Boston, MA
I have worked with thousands of top tier leadership and executive-level executive coaches over the past 15 years. David is in the top 1% of the coaches with whom I have worked. He is masterful in his approach.Andrew Neitlich
Dr. Brendel’s background in psychology, philosophy, and executive coaching enables him to approach his work from a number of different perspectives. He is flexible and participatory; he works with you to find pragmatic solutions that yield the best possible results.Philosophical Counseling Client
Having a neutral sounding board allows me to reflect on sensitive internal matters. David also helps me crystallize my thoughts without putting words in my mouth.CTO, Biotech Industry
I think he has a nice interpersonal style, perhaps one that results from his clinical training. It can be a nice counterpoint to the often aggressive, extroverted nature many business people have.Sales Manager, Software Industry