Meet Rachel Morris

What links executive coaching, business ownership, strategic planning and motherhood?

Rachel Morris

They are all part of Motion partner Rachel Morris’ hectic life. Remarkably she manages to balance it all whilst maintaining a serene focus on her clients and a smile on her face.

I managed to catch Rachel recently and asked her a few questions about what’s happening at the moment.

1. So, what are you up to this week? 

Coaching! Always the majority of my professional time is filled with coaching – I typically coach between 4 and 6 hours a day. I’ve also got lots of exciting business meetings at the moment – particularly looking at our company strategy and the next 5 years. I find these activities very energising and fulfilling, so I’ve a good week ahead. The rest of the week is filled with my alter ego – the ‘parent me’ and involves primarily running around after 2 curious, energetic young boys.

2. What’s the most exciting project you’re working on at the moment? 

There are so many. I’m in a deeply privileged and trusted position to be able to support clients on a daily basis. Every story, every client is incredibly significant in my mind. So although not projects as such – these individuals are by far the most interesting and important aspect of my professional life. There’s also a long term project for the business which involves some significant community support activity which I’m very engaged by and incredibly interested in bringing to fruition. 

3. How are you finding your clients are coping with the current uncertainty?

I heard someone talk about us all being on the same sea but in different boats and I think that’s a really good analogy. I would say most of my clients (I primarily work with business executives) found 2020 quite relentless. It’s a word they use often. A constant flow of high level decisions in times of massive uncertainty – one after another, after another. Many are tired, but recognise that the marathon is far from over, so their wellbeing is coming to the fore at the moment. Which in my mind is really significant and important. If they are going to take care of their businesses, and their people, they recognise they have to take care of themselves too. 

4. How do you help them?

By listening without judgement as all good coaches do. By providing a safe space where they can show and share their vulnerabilities and concerns without any fears. By slowing them down, and giving them the time to step off the ‘treadmill’ and to have space and time to think. Where invited, by helping them find insight into practical ways to move their thoughts forward. 

5. Tell us a bit about your own background and experience

I’ve always worked in people development, looking at how people interact in the workplace. My focus for most of my 20+ year career has been working with leaders – understanding how they operate within organisational structures. I began my career working as part of in-house L&D teams, where our skill sets involved coaching, facilitating and training. Then through setting up Motion in 2004, we focused on developing learning activity to enable professionals to be their authentic selves. Looking at how really knowing and showing yourself in the workplace could be a very powerful thing. Every person has their own incredible strengths and utilising this is in my mind really critical. I’ve spent the last 8 years primarily coaching individuals and teams. I’m constantly undertaking CPD, learning and developing my own professional skills. At the moment I’m particularly focused on areas related to both somatic and systems coaching. Fascinating areas to be delving into! 

6. How do you draw upon it when coaching?

Coaching is a relational activity between two people – the coach and the coachee. As coaches we are the conduit through which information passes. Every piece of formal or informal learning, every piece of knowledge I have gained feeds into my approach every day. It constantly informs how I ‘show up’ for my clients, and I – like everyone else – am a constantly evolving and moving entity. 

7. How would you describe your coaching style?

Challenging but deeply supportive. I am an astute coach who works hard for my clients to draw on everything in my consicious (and no doubt sub conscious) to support them in achieving their goals. I’m very pragmatic and believe that coaching has a responsibility to deliver results for the individual involved. 

8. What tips do you have for executives who are struggling with their workload and stress?

When it gets overwhelming. Stop. Take 5 mins out. Even this short period of time can make a difference, and it’s a significant way to shift into a place where you are putting your needs first. In those 5 mins move around/sit/stand outside and breathe deeply. It’s OK not to be OK, give yourselves a tiny moment to remember that. If you can stretch more than 5 mins great do so, but if not just those 5 will help.

Then think about reading up about psychological flow research by Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi. If you feel like your days are invaded and that time slips through your hands like water, his approaches can really help you look at things in a different way. 

I’d also start delving into the research by the group of people called the Positive Psychologists. There’s a great community organisation run by high level figures and researchers in this field called Action for Happiness. If you’re not already familiar with them check out their monthly calendars. These are based on something called ‘Positive Daily Interventions’ and suggest very practical daily ideas to help your overall happiness (subjective wellbeing) levels. They may look like simple things, but are scientifically robust and proven to have great impact.

I think remembering ‘choice’ is powerful when we think about whether we feel in control – often when we are overwhelmed the sense of control can feel lost. Simple but effective frameworks from people like Covey around direct, indirect and no control can really help people regain control of what they are choosing to focus on. 

9.  How do you manage your own mental wellbeing?

As a very regular human being, I fall into the same holes as many others. Too long on my screen, irregular breaks between activities etc. etc. For me my network of support – both personal and professional - is critical. I have very regular supervison and also take time to work with a psychotherapist. Both my Supervisor and Psychotherapist are incredible professionals, and they really enable me to grow. I work hard on ensuring my work and home life have their rightful places – and try very hard to ensure the boundaries don’t get blurred. I also take great comfort from the parable about the ring with the hidden message and often say to myself ‘this too shall pass’. It makes me enjoy and be present in the good times, and take comfort that the tough times will work their way through too. 

10. What are you looking forward to most this coming year?

The stories that are yet to come – the people I am yet to meet in life and those I will have the privilege of working alongside. 

11.  And finally, what’s the one secret you think everyone should be aware of? 

It’s OK not to be OK. It’s essential to fail and make mistakes. It’s through these experiences we truly learn and grow.