Normally, when defining self-esteem, it is said that this is the feeling that appears when accepting oneself, associated with the set of beliefs in what we are capable of doing. In other words, it is our way of valuing ourselves based on the experience we have gained by facing challenges and analyzing the results of these missions and projects.
That’s why, Self-esteem is essential when it comes to promoting our personal development and create the conditions that make it possible for us to reach the objectives we set for ourselves.
Nurturing our self-esteem is enhancing the belief that as human beings we are autonomous and can live with dignity and the possibility of being happy, which leads us to be more sure of ourselves and enjoy stronger confidence in our abilities. Thus we expand the radius of our strategies and actions aimed at being happy.
Thus, It is not unusual for one of the goals of coaching to focus on self-esteem Let’s see how it is done and how it is possible to detect problems in this facet of the psyche.
To know how you can intervene on self-esteem through coaching, you must first understand how low or high self-esteem is expressed. All of this must be seen by analyzing people’s behavior in various aspects of life
But… what can we do to know where our self-esteem is? Let’s look at several of the characteristics that define those who have an adequate level of self-esteem.
1. Set professional goals and achieve them
There are always bad times and bad luck, but in general, people with good self-esteem are more capable of setting goals and acting accordingly to achieve them, because they don’t waste their potential
2. Self-confidence is expressed
Those who enjoy good self-esteem show themselves in a way that is consistent with their real abilities, without the need to pretend to be what they are not, since He doesn’t have strong insecurities to compensate for
3. Develop balanced emotional bonds
When we have a realistic self-concept that makes us feel good about ourselves, interpersonal conflicts appear less frequently. That is why it is possible to maintain better quality friendships and love relationships.
4. Accept your emotions
Since there is nothing to hide or be ashamed of, It doesn’t make much sense to feel very bad for having felt something that doesn’t fit with certain values ​​or principles In any case, it is analyzed what the causes of this state of consciousness may be.
Indicators of low self-esteem
If instead of focusing on what indicates the presence of good self-esteem we look at the signs that we need to improve this part of our way of being, we will find the following indicators of low self-esteem.
1. Pessimistic bias
Those who have poor self-esteem predict failures and discouraging results for any project or plan they undertake, since They are not very confident in their chances of success
It is very common that in this psychological state there is a tendency to vent frustration on others, blaming others for one’s own mistakes, given that this dynamic is learned as a systematic way of not constantly directing attention towards oneself when something goes wrong.
3. They always try to compete
Paradoxical as it may seem, people with low self-esteem try to compensate for their feeling of discomfort. turning various areas of your life into a competition so as to have the opportunity to, from time to time, feel like winners in something.
4. They hide many of their feelings
Another characteristic of someone who goes through this phase of their life is that they tend to hide a large part of what they feel, since they fear the rejection that this could generate in others.
5. Egocentrism
Another ironic aspect of low self-esteem is that it is often expressed through a tendency toward egocentrism. Is about a way to hide your insecurities through a façade of arrogance and apparent legitimacy to make important decisions, so that all their value in the eyes of others rests only on the image they offer (or try to offer).
How do you work on this through coaching?
With what we have seen so far, we already know the two poles that make up people’s level of self-esteem. But… what is done through coaching to help people improve in this aspect?
1. Accept reality
This task is essential to start from a realistic analysis of who you are and what you can become without denying reality.
This step is essential. Without accepting responsibility, you cannot become autonomous and you are always dependent on others.
3. Validate your own feelings
Keep in mind that what you feel is real and valid helps you trust your own judgment
4. Find purposes
Knowing how to locate goals to aspire to provides an important boost to our lives, and activates us.
5. Practice personal integrity
This allows us to generate a coherent self-concept that encourages us to trust ourselves and approve what we are and do
6. Boost self-acceptance
This is based on valuing ourselves without judging who we are from an unattainable moral position and learning to forgive ourselves for our mistakes without discomfort appearing to weigh us down.
How to start?
When it comes to learning the theoretical and practical foundations to improve self-esteem through coaching, there are several courses and workshops that allow you to do this with expert supervision.
The Executive Coaching Certification Program of the European School of Coaching is a very good example of this, since both its blended and in-person versions touch on the most complicated aspects of the process. applied to personal life and to the field of leadership and business in addition to many other subjects such as emotion regulation or social and communication skills.
Additionally, upon completion of this program The Title of Executive Coach is obtained by EEC with the ACTP accreditation of the International Coach Federation To learn more about this learning and professional development option, click here.
