ABSTRACT

Coaches working with leaders to help them protect and improve their health and well-being may wish to spend some time strengthening their confidence that lifestyle and behavior change is achievable. M. E. Seligman’s theory of well-being suggests that flourishing and well-being are made up of five distinct but related ‘pillars,’ which can be remembered by the acronym PERMA. Coaches might use this theory to help educate clients about the importance of positive emotions for health, well-being, and performance and to encourage their clients to experiment with changes likely to bring about an improved experience of positive emotions over time. The tools and techniques used when coaching a senior leader towards improved health and well-being are similar to those coaching tools and techniques used in other areas of coaching–only the focus is different. Coaching senior leaders towards improved health and well-being is worthwhile in and of itself, and may also contribute towards improved leader, team, and organizational performance.