There is a much-quoted moment from Ernest Hemingway’s 1926 novel, The Sun Also Rises, in which a character explains how he went bankrupt. “Two ways,” he says. “Gradually and then suddenly.” We have all experienced it. Physics calls it the tipping point. A Buddhist proverb says, “When the student is ready, the teacher will appear.” Jesus talked about acqu...

(I give a copy of this article to each new coachee) “To journey without being changed is to be a nomad. To change without journeying is to be a chameleon. To journey and be transformed by the journey is to be a pilgrim.” — Mark Nepo Having walked through a few wildernesses and addressed some big and lasting change in my own life, I know that sometimes you volunteer for it&mda...

Please meet my old friend, Dr John Medina, a "developmental molecular biologist with special research interests in the isolation and characterization of genes involved in human brain development and the genetics of psychiatric disorders" and the author of the Brain Rules books. In this series (The PB&J project), John and I explored the intersection where coaching skills, behaviors, and prese...

When I started equipping coaches and coaching leaders, I posted the Twelve SeattleCoach Rules next to the refrigerator at SCHQ. Each SeattleCoach Rule has endured through the years. Now, as we move through the year, I'm posting a brief new video monthly--One Rule each month. Excellent coaching is like grace: Rarely intrusive, usually disruptive, more nuanced than announced, and as much about how...

Watch SeattleCoach Bob Sawin, MD as he presents "A Surgeon's Reflections on Love" to the North Pacific Surgical Association. I love Bob's heart. A Surgeon's Reflections on Love

Since 2008, remarkable people have shown up at SeattleCoach. Many, of course, have become remarkable coaches. In this new series of conversations, posted twice a month on Substack (there's a link below to subscribe), I'll have some fun with our trailblazers--and get curious about their wisdom and experience too. Karen Souter, PCC Stacking Questions with Patty #1! With guest coach, Karen Souter...

"Coachable" = Ready for insight + Ready to try stuff (hallmarks of a good coach) If you're joining one of our new cohorts, you're automatically subscribed to the "Coachable" newsletter. If you're new to SeattleCoach, welcome! Sign up below and then check your email. Through the years I’ve written and recorded a lot of coachy stuff. And lately I've noticed that my poor website has reach...

Thomas Sowell Elliott Connie (The Solution Focused Approach) American Enterprise Institute Tamra Ryan / The Women's Bean Project Richard Rohr John Medina ("Brain Rules") The Wall Street Journal (Hard copy. Every morning.) Peggy Noonan Bob Woodson David McCullough ("No harm's done to history by making it something someone would want to read.") Johann Hari Simon Sinek Susan Scott ...

An Exercise for the Stressed Whether it's good stress or the difficult kind, I get smarter and happier when I take a few minutes to catch my breath. Try out this 5:44 minute exercise (audio below), turn up your speakers. Finding Your Personal Reset Think about a time in your life when you experienced a moment or an event in which you felt all of those things on that list to the right... Reme...

The VIA Survey of Character. This will link you to a free, well-researched questionnaire that will help you to identify your integrated top five (of twenty-four) "Character Strengths". I ask all of my new clients to take it. It's part of a research project, you will be asked to register, but they won't spam you. Click on the "VIA Survey" button to begin. (No need to purchase a report unless you wa...