Tuning In: Small Habits That Shape Big Awareness

Hello Igniters!

Last weekend we had the privilege of witnessing one of the greatest achievements in sports. Rory McIlroy finally won his green jacket that completed the career grand slam – putting him in elite company joining 5 other golfers in history to do so. It wasn’t just a display of skill. It was a story of persistence, public pressure, and internal reckoning. In watching his press conference, there was a message I found profoundly relatable - that success isn’t always about trying harder—it’s about facing what’s been unspoken. The fears we don’t admit. The truths we don’t name. 

The Insight Igniter question for April 21st, 2025

“What do you need to put into words?”

This seemingly simple question can unlock a torrent of insight in navigating conflict, decision making and revealing the misaligned.  It is a soft nudge to remind us, real growth doesn’t happen on the course or in the boardroom. It happens in a quiet conversation with yourself—when you finally name what’s been weighing you down.

Let’s get after it!

Navigating Conflict

When it comes to conflict, the real tension often isn’t in the disagreement itself—it’s in the unspoken thoughts and emotions people are carrying. A teammate who feels unheard. A leader who’s frustrated but avoiding a hard conversation. A team that senses something’s off but doesn’t know how to name it. This question invites you to clear the fog and get honest about the specific behaviors, expectations, or values that are being challenged. Whether it’s frustration, misunderstanding, or an uncomfortable truth—once it’s out in the open, it’s not just a feeling anymore. When you're clear about your expectations, emotions, or perspective, you create momentum. And that momentum opens the door to real, honest conversation—where resolution can finally begin.

Decision Making

Decision making, especially at the executive level, is rarely a purely rational process. The internal decision making process can be a complex web of assumptions, pros and cons, gut feel, and excel spreadsheets. “What do you need to put into words?” encourages a more holistic evaluation of the options, ensuring that decisions are not solely driven by logic but also informed by intuition and a deeper understanding of blind spots the potential consequences. This week I challenge you to ask yourself this question when faced with a decision of some consequence. I would be curious to hear how it influenced the decision you made.

Revealing the Misaligned

A coaching session is your space to speak freely—where emotional exposure is encouraged, and complex or sensitive topics are welcomed with curiosity and care. "What do you need to put into words?" can reveal departures between stated values and actual behaviors, strategic goals and operational realities, or even between personal aspirations and career trajectory. In a coaching session this week by happy accident, I had an opportunity to put this question to the test. The leader was not saying what they needed to say, caught up in latest business buzz words and sugarcoating sub-standard results. I offered a slight variation – “What do you really need to put into words?” the leader’s presence quickly changed. “I’m frustrated; I’m irritated. I ask for something, and it gets ignored. I make excuses for my team, letting them off the hook”. Articulating these feelings revealed a blind spot for the leader; their tolerance was promoting the team’s behaviour. With this new awareness we were able to co-create actions aligned with their leader’s view of authentic and effective leadership.

“What do you need to put into words?” is a powerful tool in the executive coaching golf bag. It brings clarity to conflict, supports confident decision-making, and creates the alignment needed to move from hesitation to action. As Rory McIlroy showed us, sometimes naming what’s been left unsaid—even privately—can be the shift that frees you up to focus, commit, and deliver.

So... what do you need to put into words?

Update: As summer approaches, I’m making a small shift with Insight Igniter. Starting in May, the newsletter will move to a monthly release—giving me space to dive into some personal and professional development and soak up the season.

The last bi-weekly edition will be on May 12th, and monthly issues will pick up starting in June. I’m excited to continue bringing you thoughtful coaching questions and real-life reflections—just with a little more breathing room over the summer.

Thanks, as always, for reading and being part of this community.

Until next time – Stay Ignited.

Best,

Coach Stef, CEC