This episode is about your unique talent and how, when it’s applied to your coaching niche and you allow yourself to shine, doors open to you.
Gay Hendricks coined the term, zone of genius, in his book The Big Leap. You might have heard of this even if you haven’t read his book, because it made a big splash and has stood of test of time. He defined 4 zones:
- incompetence
- competence
- excellence
- genius
Most of us operate day to day in those other 3 zones.
You run up against your incompetence and avoid those tasks and experiences.
You find a day-to-day competence in most things and it’s an acceptable place to hang out in but not stellar.
And, in a few areas, you rise to excellence.
If you’re in your zone of excellence, you’re performing better than most people. It feels good and it’s easier than other areas for you.
For me, that’s stuff like writing and copy-editing. Things I truly enjoy and I’m better at than most, but still, it’s not effortless.
Totally Unique and At Your Best
Now, in your zone of genius, you are literally at your best.
The Zone of Genius is where your natural, innate abilities — the ones that intersect with your passion — literally shine and glow. Your eyes shine, you smile is warmer and people can sense it.
It’s a state of being where inspiration flows to, through and from you and you feel deeply engaged and energized.
Your inspiration awakens something in them.
You can see how, your zone of genius could super charge your coaching abilities.
Now, if I asked you what your zone of genius is, you might be tempted to say: “Well, Rhonda, it’s coaching of course!”
But that’s not it. That’s most likely excellence.
No doubt, you are an outstanding coach. I believe that. But the way I understand it, your zone of genius is something singular, unique to you not simply something you do better than most people.
As wonderful as it is, the problem with this whole Zone of Genius concept is that it’s not easy to look objectively at yourself and immediately perceive it.
You need someone to recognize it within you.
And if that hasn’t happened yet, you may think you’re not enough or that there is nothing special about you, no unique gifts that you bring.
It’s not true. You know that in your heart.
Part of my Zone of Genius is hearing other people’s Zone of Genius. It’s the best clue for a smart and meaningful niche for my clients.
One of my clients said I have a super power for helping coaches niche. I loved that and own that, but that is an outcome of my zone of genius, not the definition of it.
Peak Moments are a Clue to Your Coaching Niche
When I work with coaches I ask a lot questions to help them discover their coaching niche. There’s an array of information that gives us clues.
When they start talking about peak conversations they’ve had with friends, family, and clients sometimes something within them kicks into a more effortless gear … I feel that vibrational shift in my body and their words float up into the air like a hologram.
And that’s when I know they’ve hit their genius. Their voice becomes more resonant. They go off on a jag and time stops. Words flow from them that are more attuned to their heart, instead of their head.
It’s a clear display of their innate talent and passion. It’s a beacon for the rest of our discovery work.
Holding Your Genius Back
Some people have their Zone of Genius bottled up tightly within them.
I’m a good example of that. I didn’t learn about the areas where I truly shine until my 40’s. And I had been looking for it.
The truth is, it took me that long to believe in myself.
I’ve come to think it’s a developmental point. Not everyone at every stage of their life will be SHOWING their Zone of Genius. Allowing it out.
Have you ever felt afraid of letting yourself fully out?
I have deep compassion for that part.
I have noticed that a lot of people who are serious about being successful in their coaching business have arrived at a place where that Zone of Genius is blossoming.
It makes sense to me because when you decide to become a coach you step onto a strong path of inner transformation yourself. And if you decide to become an entrepreneur you’ve asked yourself to become a leader all on your own volition.
I’m wondering, as I talk about this …
Are you having any inklings about your zone of genius?
Or, are you wondering how you might be keeping it bottled up inside you?
Gay Hendrickson’s book talks a lot about self sabotage as it relates to the genius zone.
It’s totally natural, when a coach suddenly gets the reflection of their genius, for fear and imposter syndrome feelings to pop up. They consider centering their business on their innate gifts and something inside them closes doors.
It’s as if they shrink back from getting their zone of genius out into the world. They fear how that kind of exposure will affect their relationships and sense of normalcy.
It’s true that success changes things. And it’s part of it to look for the day to day balance that keeps you grounded.
And that’s why, it’s also good to have help to navigate that time of letting yourself out into the world.
I hope this episode has given you hope, maybe even some clarity or even better … curiosity.
Curiosity is a great sign. Go with that!
