Coaching for Optimal Energy: A Guide for Executive Coaches

167 Pages·2022·4.884 MB·English

by  Viv Chitty

‘There are not that many topics that have consistent application in all
types of coaching. Optimising energy available to clients to fulfil their
tasks is one of them. I would say that this topic is nowadays more often
on the table than any of us as coaches would wish it to be. Why?
Because this topic is as elusive as energy itself. However, Viv Chitty has
taken this big challenge and put it at the centre of her exploration. She
does this methodically and intelligently, unravelling complex concepts
and offering practical ideas in a way that is clear and immediately
applicable for our complex practice. A very important read for coaches
and coaching supervisors.’
Prof Tatiana Bachkirova, Professor of Coaching
Psychology, Oxford Brookes University
‘You know that thing that to grow asparagus, you had to start 3 years
ago? Well, Viv Chitty has done more years than that of research on
energy, including an award-winning Masters degree. The result is we
have this very serious, hugely important, and deeply research-based
book, made available to us right when we need it, when the enduring
pandemic has exhausted the world. It’s written for executive coaches,
and will be required reading for that profession, but it should be core
reading for medics, students, and anyone in business. Or health. Or the
pro bono sector. Or government – particularly government.’
Catherine Devitt, CEO, Meyler Campbell, Executive Coach
former Director of People and Development at Breakthrough
Breastcancer Care and Director of HR HBOS Canada
‘This rigorously researched book is a gift to practitioners, clients and
organisations; it addresses, in detail, the often ignored territory of
human energy in the context of the workplace.
Viv Chitty asserts that having optimal energy is essential for high
performance and she is right. Many aspects of energy are thoroughly
addressed here: physiological, emotional and cognitive including stress –
all fundamentally important in life and in business.
Bringing appropriate attention to our energy levels has never been
more necessary and Coaching for Optimal Energy: A Guide for Executive
Coaches could not be more timely. I am delighted that the result of such
important research is now available to coaches and their clients.’
Edna Murdoch, Founder/Director of the
Coaching Supervision Academy

Coaching for Optimal Energy
A completely new way of considering energy in executive coaching, the
concept of ‘optimal energy’ is based on original research. This fresh insight
and its application is a fundamental new approach for use in executive
coaching.
Suboptimal energy levels in senior executives, although rarely considered,
can negatively impact efficacy, feelings, behaviour and self-awareness both
at work and in coaching sessions. But what is optimal energy? This needs to
be addressed by executive coaches, but how? Coaching for Optimal Energy:
A Guide for Executive Coaches answers these questions and challenges
previous thinking on the subject. Written for executive coaches, and
appropriate for anyone who works with people, for the first time in
coaching literature the book gives a research-based definition of the
concept of energy and examines how energy manifests in clients, analyses
the influences on energy and offers clear guidance and practical ideas for
addressing energy with clients.
This is an essential new resource for coaches and other practitioners who
want to effectively address energy and enable clients to take action to
optimise their energy in their daily lives.
Viv Chitty is a highly experienced executive coach, with over 20 years’ ex-
perience, a coach supervisor and has a background in consultancy. Amongst
other qualifications in psychology and counselling she holds a MA in
Coaching and Mentoring. Viv runs a coaching consultancy which works
with senior people in a wide variety of sectors. She is passionate about
working with senior clients who have multiple challenges to face.

Coaching for Optimal Energy
A Guide for Executive Coaches
Viv Chitty
Cover image: © Getty Image
First published 2023
by Routledge
4 Park Square, Milton Park, Abingdon, Oxon OX14 4RN
and by Routledge
605 Third Avenue, New York, NY 10158
Routledge is an imprint of the Taylor & Francis Group, an informa business
© 2023 Viv Chitty
The right of Viv Chitty to be identified as author of this work has been
asserted in accordance with sections 77 and 78 of the Copyright, Designs
and Patents Act 1988.
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reprinted or reproduced
or utilised in any form or by any electronic, mechanical, or other means,
now known or hereafter invented, including photocopying and recording,
or in any information storage or retrieval system, without permission in
writing from the publishers.
Trademark notice: Product or corporate names may be trademarks or
registered trademarks, and are used only for identification and explanation
without intent to infringe.
British Library Cataloguing-in-Publication Data
A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library
Library of Congress Cataloguing-in-Publication Data
A catalog record has been requested for this book
ISBN: 978-0-367-51571-3 (hbk)
ISBN: 978-0-367-51576-8 (pbk)
ISBN: 978-1-003-05448-1 (ebk)
DOI: 10.4324/9781003054481
Typeset in Times New Roman
by MPS Limited, Dehradun
Contents
List of figures xiii
Permissions xiv
Acknowledgements xv
Preface xvi
1 The concept of energy and how it manifests in executive
coaching 1
Defining energy: the literature 1
The original four types of energy identified in much-
quoted literature 2
The proposed concept of ‘energy’ 2
Two interrelated components 2
Physical energy 3
Energetic activation 3
The relationship between physical energy and energetic
activation 3
Energy: a resource that can be both replenished and
liberated 4
How energy manifests in the coaching context: three
categories 4
Three categories of energy witnessed: a challenge to past
descriptions 4
The detail: how coaches witness these types of energy in
sessions 5
Optimal energy 6
Depleted energy 6
Inappropriate high energy 8
When depleted energy or inappropriate high energy
may be indicative of something serious 9
viii Contents
Depleted energy: an indicator of depression,
burnout and trauma 9
Inappropriate high energy: an indicator of manic
episodes, early stage burnout and trauma 11
Energy: a summary 13
References 13
2 Influences on energy 15
The interrelated categories of influence 15
Physical influences on energy 16
Nutrition 17
Hydration 17
Movement and exercise 18
Sleep 19
Breathing 20
Age 21
Impact of hormones: periods, menopause or perimeno-
pause, pre and postnatal depression 22
Medical causes of depleted and inappropriate high
energy 23
Psychological influences 24
Psychological influences: emotional 24
How emotions impact energy and performance 25
The emotions are largely unconscious 27
Social influences on emotion 27
Psychological influences: cognitive 30
The way we do our work 30
More complex mental influences 31
The occupational context – what might be happening
to and around people 35
The general demands of a senior role 35
The combination of chronic and acute demands 37
Lack of respite and recuperation 37
Resources 38
Culture 39
Top-down approach 39
Interpersonal dynamics 39
Fear-based cultures 40
Discriminatory cultures 41
Cultures that push you and push you 41
Contents ix
Constant change 42
Length of time in post 42
The context – influences out of work 43
Living in uncertain times 43
Bereavement 45
Trauma 45
Caring for others 46
To sum up 46
References 46
3 Why address energy and the role of the executive coach
in doing so 53
Why optimal energy is important for the performance of
senior executives 53
The arguments for being conscious of energy and taking action
to manage it 55
The negative impact of having depleted energy at
work 56
The negative impact of inappropriate high energy 57
Coping strategies are not always constructive and can be
damaging 60
Why addressing energy is the role of the coach 60
How coaching for optimal energy relates to the generic
aims of coaching 60
Link to coaching competencies 62
If organisations don’t take this seriously the coach will
need to 62
Better outcomes for coaching 63
References 63
4 The journey towards a holistic way of addressing energy
with the client 66
Assessment 66
Decision making regarding whether to address the client’s
energy levels 68
Referral 69
Raising awareness and gathering information 71
Raising awareness 71
Giving feedback 71