Five Keys to Navigating Awkward Conversations

By Christopher Green

The awkward conversation has to be one of the most challenging scenarios in our lives. Most people don’t like confrontation or conflict anyway. It doesn’t matter if the issue is a difference of opinion, the need to bring up an embarrassing matter, or to give bad news, most of us struggle with the basic uncomfortable nature of this type of conversation. Some people have no filter between their thoughts and their mouth, so there’s no such thing as an awkward conversation, at least to them. They don’t usually concern themselves with how they are abrasively impacting others. 

On the other end of the spectrum, others have a hard time being assertive in the best of times, and when it comes to an awkward conversation, it creates a near impossible wall for them to scale. From our many years of personal and professional experience with awkward conversations that have ranged from family members to clients, we offer these five keys. 

1. Pause: Whether you find yourself in a sudden and unexpected moment of awkwardness or if you’re anticipating a conversation, it’s important to first pause, step back and consider your thoughts and feelings. Awkward conversations are filled with feelings and multiple reactions. Those feelings can include embarrassment, anger, anxiety or frustration. Responses can include shock, defensiveness, denial, retaliation, or indifference.  Taking a pause is about self-awareness. It’s about recognizing and regulating your own feelings so you’re not swept away in the tide of awkwardness. 

2. Enlightened engagement: This is all about having the presence of mind to not only prepare yourself, but to also give some type of notification to the other person that the conversation is coming. Offer a simple text, email or quick comment like, “There’s something I’d like to talk with you about today.” 

With your self-awareness elevated, confront the unknown of the awkward with confidence. When you engage the person, be clear, be concise, be cautious, and be conclusive. Engage the person with CARE (compassionate awareness with respect and empathy). When your engagement is from this higher perspective, you can be mindful to determine where the conversation should take place, as well as when. 

However, if the awkward conversation is a spontaneous moment that breaks out in front of customers, in the office, or in the living room, you can diffuse a potential disaster by saying, “Let’s talk about this over here,” or “Can we step outside for a minute?” 

Enlightened engagement will cause you to be so self-aware and socially aware that you won’t be easily driven by your own fear of the unknown within the awkward. Instead you’ll be guided from a perspective of wisdom and concern for the person with whom you must speak. This can still hold true, even if the person is hostile and responding in a very negative manner. 

3. Ask Questions:  Do not assume that you know the answers, even when it seems obvious. Depending upon your relationship, ask questions like, “Are you aware that….?” or “Please help me understand why….” 

After you hear their response, be prepared to ask the second question. Sometimes we ask one question. The person answers, and then we react. However, we suggest that you ask a second question just to make sure that you are clear and understand their perspective.  It’s not about asking questions until you get the response that you desire. You don’t ask until they say something that you agree with. If you do that, you’ll turn it into an interrogation instead of a conversation. You are asking questions until you are sure that you understand their point of view. If you feel they are being untruthful or omitting some part of their story, please know that you’re not a judge and this is not a hearing. You’re simply giving them an opportunity to present their view. 

4. Listen to Learn: If you’re going to ask questions, then you must actually listen. We humans do not listen very well. We pretend to listen, we selectively listen, or we listen for pauses and breaks in the dialogue in order to state our opinions. Active, empathetic and facilitative listening is absolutely essential for navigating the awkward conversation. If you can provide reflective listening feedback during an awkward conversation, you can take away the power of the awkward and empower yourself and the other person to actually have a healthy, mutually-beneficial conversation. Your listening and feedback will communicate that you’re making a sincere effort to understand them and the situation surrounding the conversation. 

5. Respond: Instead of being reactionary, you can make a thoughtful response rooted in compassion, concern, and curiosity (a genuine desire to understand). Most people tend to merely react to the revelations that come out of an awkward conversation with a criticism or an immediate correction of the other person. We’re not saying that these won’t be part of your conversation, but they should not be your first responses. The punitive reaction will yield limited, if any change. However if a critique (without criticizing), correction or advice comes from a position of compassion, concern, and curiosity, you have a better chance of building bridges rather than erecting more walls in the relationship. 

Chris and Carol Green are the founders of C and C Connections, LLC and creators of the CARE-Ready Life Coaching model.

Chris and Carol Green Publish a Legacy of Lyrics and Poems

In the 1990’s, when we became the youth leaders in our local church, our writing exploded through the expression of songs. 

Chris would have dreams that he was listening to songs on the radio. He heard all the music and lyrics. He would wake up and record himself on a portable tape recorder so that he wouldn’t forget what he dreamed. Eventually, we kept a portable recorder on the nightstand. We used many of those songs, with their Biblically-principled lyrics, to reinforce the lessons in our weekly sessions with teenagers.

During those years, we also began writing songs that were embraced by our larger church community as our pastor recognized that our tunes contained lyrics that could impact more people beyond the youth in the congregation. We were given one Sunday each month to lead the entire congregation in songs of praise and worship, and we taught them the songs God was giving us.

We also brought the songs to the neighborhood in which our church resided. Every week our ministry had a food outreach. The neighbors were allowed to gather in the fellowship hall. While their groceries were being bagged, we assembled some of the teenagers as a small ensemble to sing to the people while they waited for their food. We literally taught the attendees our simple little tunes, and then prayed for everyone.

This outreach grew to the point where we had 50 families, (not just 50 people), yes, 50 families attending every week. They completely filled the hall. It was as if though we had another church meeting in the building. They were an incredible mix of black, white, old and young. Some said that they no longer came for the food. They were coming for the worship and the prayer. One such attendee was a young white girl who happened to be pregnant. Then, for several weeks, we didn’t see her.

Suddenly she returned with a little bundle of joy. Our volunteers and teenagers surrounded her as she kept saying, “Come see my miracle baby! See my little miracle!”

Of course, we wanted to know why she kept referring to her baby as a miracle. Then she shared her testimony and it forever changed our view of songwriting and worship.

She revealed that when the baby was born, the child died immediately afterwards. The baby was dead; gone. She said, “All I knew to do was just to sing the songs you guys taught me. So I just started singing those songs over my baby, and she came back to life. So here she is; my little miracle.”

Of course we all rejoiced with her.

From that moment to this one right now, we have not cared about trying to make it ‘big’ in the music industry. We don’t care if we are ever well-known, famous worship artists, worship writers, or any of those titles.  Our songs may never receive any awards or accolades in the Christian music industry or any other music industry. 

The highest level has already been reached and that was for them to be used by God in a powerful way. God had given us songs, and those songs of praise and worship had been instrumental in imparting faith into a new mother; in resurrecting her baby from the dead.

When it comes to writing songs, poetry, books, or anything else that we put down on paper or type into a computer, we realize God has allowed us to experience His purpose for our writing gifts. 

Only a small elite group of songwriters in this world will receive earthly awards and recognition, but this miracle was the highest honor. Our focus was set: We’re writing for God alone.

---Chris and Carol Green

Order Our Lyrical Life from Amazon Books

Milestone: 87 CARE-Ready Life Coaches in 25 Organizations Across Six States

Pennsylvania, USA ---Chris and Carol Green, in collaboration with United Graduate College and Seminary International, graduated the first CARE-Ready Life Coach Certification Spring Class of 2021, an event that took place on a live video conference.

“Congratulations to our new CARE-Ready Life Coaches," commented Chris and Carol Green, who's business, C and C Connections, LLC, serves as the organizers and facilitators of the training. "This class had to overcome tremendous personal struggles, which included the loss of two family members, the continued challenges of the Covid-19 lock down, and other life upheavals."

The newest CARE-Ready™ Coaches worked through 10 sessions (15 hours) of instruction,  successfully passed an online exam, submitted their personalized life coaching field manuals, and made class presentations to express how they were each going to meet the challenges of implementing their coaching models in their communities.

With the successful graduation of this class, the Greens have now trained and launched 86 CARE-Ready™ Life Coaches and 25 Care-Ready™ Responders, who are disbursed and embedded in at least 25 organizations or ministries across six states: Pennsylvania, California, Maryland, Missouri, North Carolina and Tennessee.

The newest CARE-Ready Life Coaches are: Patrice Grace, Winopa Mbakop, and Ronald Parsons.

Comments from the students of this graduating class of June 2021 included: 

"This class was truly awesome!  I thank God for being able to take the course." 

"I am looking forward to using all the tools and strategies that I have learned through the training."

"This class meant a lot to me. It gives me the opportunity to do things from a different point of view."

As the founders of the STEP Forward Life Institute and affiliate members of, and International Statesmen with iChange Nations™, Chris and Carol Green have partnered with United Graduate College and Seminary International (UGCSI) to offer an accelerated, ministry-accredited life coaching certification program. Their collaborative purpose and mission has been, to offer leaders, working in underserved communities, high-quality tools that empower and equip them to be more effective in their humanitarian efforts. 

Editor's Note:

Watch the Graduation Video HERE

Learn more about the CARE-Ready Life Coach Certification Program at  https://www.fruitfullifelearningcommunity.org/care-ready-certification

Speaking at Fatherhood Academy Support Group Session

Pennsylvania, USA---- Community Life Coach, Chris Green was the facilitator of today's session for the Fatherhood Academy Support Group. These weekly sessions are sponsored by Life Esteem, Inc, for men 18 years and older. This support group is especially helpful for men who are reuniting with their families involved in separation or divorce from their family, or simply to improve their parenting skills. 

"We launched tonight's session by talking about the The Process of Success: 8 Key Elements to Fulfilling Purpose," Coach Chris explained. "The conversation was so engaging that we only made it through 3 of the 8 elements. That's because this workshop is all about a self inspection; not for tearing men down, but to rebuild, restore and renew them. I felt the conversation was powerful and impactful."

Dr. Nathaniel Gadsden, who leads the weekly outreach, invited Coach Green to return and continue the Process of Success workshop next week, encouraging the men to spread the word and bring a friend. 

"This discussion about process is real and raw," Coach Chris Green concluded. "And it is revitalizing for men: husbands, fathers, brothers and sons. I look forward to this opportunity to serve Dr. Gadsden and work with the men in this community."

Editor's Notes:

Chris (and Carol) Green are authors, educators, entrepreneurs, certified master CARE-Ready life coaches, leadership consultants, songwriters, poets, compassionate listeners, ordained ministers, traditional marriage and  family advisers, conflict resolution mediators, holistic wellness promoters, and human value advocates.

 

With over 30 years of urban community outreach experience, today they focus most of their energy and efforts connecting with local and international leaders who desire to make a meaningful impact when working in under-served and diverse communities. 

​

Through their Listen, Lift, Launch initiatives and their proven training models, they retool, equip and empower community, government and education leaders, human service organizers, business visionaries, and neighborhood dreamers, to be much more effective by embracing the principles of CARE-Ready Responding  (Civility Awareness with Respect and Empathy) and CARE-Ready  Coaching (Compassionate Accountability with Respect and Empathy) in their professional and personal lives.

​

Their community-supporting initiatives have included hosting free monthly group CARE coaching sessions in an unemployment center, on-call CARE-Ready coaching support and training for the staff of a women's homeless shelter, CARE-Ready coach training of mentors in an ex-offenders program, consultation with local service organizations, and collaborating with various community outreach efforts.

 

For their community service, they were inducted in the 2021 World Book of Greatness. They also received the Harambee 2019 Community Leadership Award  and a United Way 2017 Volunteer of the Year Nomination. They received Urban Leadership Awards (2016) and Community Ambassador Awards (2015) from iChange Nations™, and Goodwill Ambassadors of World Peace Awards (2015) as part of the Interfaith Peace-Building Initiative to the United Nations through Golden Rule International.​​

 

They have also been the recipients of honorary doctorate degrees (conferred in 2016 and 2018) in Christian Leadership (Chris), Humanities (Carol), and Society & Human Rights (both) to acknowledge their many years of service and significant contributions to society and the field of life coaching.

 

Chris and Carol have been married over 40 years and have raised three sons. They have two daughters-in-law, two grand children, and a host of people throughout the world who call them 'mom and dad'. They make it a priority to give back to the community through their Network of Community Services.

Chris and Carol Green Launch Online Life Education and Ministry Preparation Platform

 

Pennsylvania, USA --- Today, Chris and Carol Green announced the launch of  the STEP Forward Life Institute™, an online Fruitful Life education and ministry preparation platform, that is an affiliate ministry and education institution of the United Graduate College and Seminary International (UGCSI). 

"We provide practical instruction that equips you to add to your faith, embrace your unique process of success, and make certain you're prepared for those once in a lifetime opportunities to minister to your family and serve in your community." explains Chris and Carol Green.  

In Fruitful Life Education, God is your source. Experience is your study. Faith is your evidence. Success is your credential.

"Our Fruitful Life Education model guides students through their unique PROCESS, which releases God's SUCCESS in the fulfillment of their hopes and dreams of helping people," the Greens shared.

"We define Fruitful Life Education as the God-sent wisdom and insight that one gains from experience and instruction, leading to growth and development in all dimensions of life: Spiritual, Physical, Social, Intellectual, Emotional, Mental, Occupational, Financial, and Environmental."

1.) In the STEP Forward Fruitful Life Education model, spiritual growth and maturity are set at the core of one’s life, with all other dimensions emanating from, revolving around, and strengthened by a spiritual (Faith) center.

2.) In the STEP Forward Ministry Preparation model, your education is like a prospectus document that outlines something that doesn't exist, and describes what it will become. Your ministry preparation is the same.  It is not merely projecting an academic goal, business proposal, white paper, or mission statement, but it is a life development philosophy, that trains and prepares you to release God's solutions in real time, to real people, in the real world, and set yourself apart as an effective and creative contributor to your family and community's success.

The STEP Forward  platform includes Chris and Carol Green, along with Fruitful Life Instructors: Madeline Clark, Certified CARE Minister and Pastor of New Zion Agape Fellowship; Mary Dennis, Certified Faculty and Servant Leader, overseeing Intercessory Prayer; Maxine Wright, Certified Faculty and Ministry Leader of Open Arms House of Love; and Alton and Shavaun Jackson, Adjunct Instructors and Ministry Leaders of The Givers of Hope Experience.

 

In addition to their main roster of instructors, STEP Forward also provides guest instructors that include:

 

Dr. Raphael Green, (D.Ed.Min)

Presiding Bishop of Metro Christian Worship Center

St. Louis, Missouri, USA

 

Bishop Paul Veney

Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, USA

 

Frank King, (D.Jur.)

Senior Pastor of Refreshing Waters Worship Center

Kansas City, Missouri, USA

 

Amethyst Roberson, (MA, LPC, NCC)

A R Therapy and Consulting LLC

St. Louis, Missouri, USA

 

John and Kerry Shuey

Kingdom Quest Ministries

Camp Hill, Pennsylvania, USA

This online institute was officially endorsed by World Civility leaders, H.E. Sir Dr. Clyde Rivers, who is also the founder and president of I Change Nations.

 

The Life Educational model was endorsed by the 2020 I Change Nations Global Educator of the Year, Professor Michal P. Pitzl, who is also the Chancellor of United Graduate College and Seminary International.

 

"The STEP Forward Life Institute has been in the works for 16 years," Chris and Carol Green concluded. "We believe we were being prepared all along to provide this tangible way to strengthen, equip and empower people to do effective works of service in their families and communities."

Online Occupational Wellness Session for Opioid Recovery Program

Pennsylvania, USA ---- Community Life Coaches, Chris and Carol Green were the main presenters and facilitators of an online Holistic Wellness Presentation for Life Esteem Holistic Wellness Center in Harrisburg, PA. This session’s topic was Occupational Wellness.

Occupational Wellness is one of the Eight Dimensions of Wellness, which are all deemed to be necessary in order for an individual to experience and have a healthy, balanced and meaningful life. The Eight Dimensions of Wellness are: Social Wellness, Emotional Wellness, Spiritual Wellness, Intellectual Wellness, Physical Wellness, Financial Wellness, Occupational Wellness, and Environmental Wellness.

 “Occupational Wellness is connected to a healthy view of what it means to be successful,” according to Chris and Carol Green, who have been married for 40 years. “We see this wellness connected to success in every area of our lives, starting with our family. Our process of success took us through a journey of detours, disappointments, and discoveries that were all necessary for our overall wellness.”

The objective of the session was that all participants would:

1. Have an understanding of what is meant by the term “Occupational Wellness

2. Recognize the four components of Ikigai.

3. Have an opportunity to consider their personal occupational wellness.

Carol Green brought forth a masterful presentation as she helped the participants understand the Japanese concept of Ikigai: the reason for being or purpose.  

“There are four main components of Ikigai” she explained, “Passion-what you love, Mission-what the world needs, Vocation-what you can get paid for, and Profession-what you are good at.  The goal is to have a balanced sense of Ikigai, which can enhance occupational wellness in our lives.”  

In concluding, Chris Green gave practical advice on how to achieve success and Occupational Wellness. He recommended that the online audience embrace eight key elements in their process of success.

“We think about the different seasons that we went through in our life, and how we had seasons of prosperity and seasons of leanness,” explained Chris Green. “We describe it like the natural four seasons. We have been through seasons of autumn, when the leaves were falling and then there were seasons of winter, when everything just seemed to be dead. There were seasons of spring when life was returning. And then the seasons of summer when it was hot and things were happening. Understanding how to flow in all seasons is key to understanding both perspective and the process of success.”

The Wellness Series host, and founder of the Life Esteem Holistic Wellness Center, Pat Gadsden, concluded the online session with one of her well-known questions:  ”Do you live to work or work to live?”

Editor's note: Watch Chris and Carol Green’s Presentation HERE

Online Environmental Wellness Session for Opioid Recovery Program

Pennsylvania, USA ---- Community Life Coaches, Chris and Carol Green facilitated an online Holistic Wellness Presentation for Life Esteem Holistic Wellness Center in Harrisburg, PA. This session’s topic was Environmental Wellness and it featured special guest presenter, Dr. Vikram Parrarkine, the founder of PEACE, USA.

Environmental Wellness is one of the Eight Dimensions of Wellness, which are all deemed to be necessary in order for an individual to experience and have a healthy, balanced and meaningful life. The Eight Dimensions of Wellness are: Social Wellness, Emotional Wellness, Spiritual Wellness, Intellectual Wellness, Physical Wellness, Financial Wellness, Occupational Wellness, and Environmental Wellness.

“We found the session to be fascinating and enlightening,” said Chris Green, “Dr. Vikram brought tremendous insight and understanding to all as he connected us, in a fresh way, to the world around us.”

The objective of the session was that all participants would:

1. Have an understanding of what is meant by the term “Environmental Wellness”

2. Identify and/or confirm at least one area where they can improve their relationship with environmental wellness, and

3. Recognize the connection between exercise, nutrition and rest to physical wellness.

According to Dr. Pattarkine, a recognized international leader in environmental sustainability and renewal energy, “Environmental wellness is realizing we are a part of the environment and the environment is a part of us.”

Dr. Pattarkine brought forth a masterful presentation as he helped the participants understand such concepts as Assimilative Capacity,  which is the ability of the environment or a portion of the environment (such as a stream, lake, air mass, or soil layer) to carry waste material without adverse effects on the environment or on users of its resources. He showed how pollution occurs only when the assimilative capacity is exceeded. He also showed how the covid-19 lockdowns have given the environment the opportunity to recover. 

In concluding, Dr. Pattarkine gave practical advice on how to respond individually. He recommended that the online audience:

Live simply – at the need level

Do not hoard unnecessarily

Eat well – eat to live; not live to eat

Exercise regularly

Help others (as possible)

Meditate, contemplate

The presentation was followed by Q & A and then Chris and Carol Green led a discussion about the changes the participants have noticed in the environment, and even in the behavior of the animals in their neighborhoods and communities. They also focused on the parallels between environmental wellness and physical wellness. Then they related these thoughts to what people can do in their personal lives, to make informed decisions regarding the environment and their health and wellness.

The Wellness Series host, and founder of the Life Esteem Holistic Wellness Center, Pat Gadsden, concluded the online session with high praise for Dr. Pattarkine and thanked all of the participants for their contributions to an outstanding session.

Editor's note: Watch Dr. Vikram Pattarkine's Presentation HERE

Promoting Process of Success in Africa

 

Mozambique, Africa ---United Graduate College and Seminary International Professors, Dr. Mateus Mutola, and Professors Chris and Carol Green, joined together on The Africa Civility Show to promote a powerful message on how to push past your pain and go through the process of manifesting the Success that is already within you. Dr Mutola invited the Greens to be his first guest to launch an epic episode to set the tone for the New Year. 

The Africa Civility Show (TACS) is a Live stream platform based in Mozambique, Africa, for the gathering of hundreds of thoughtful and iconic Leaders, Influencers, Humanitarians and Doers from around the world, who share a common interest in practical solutions for the sustainable development of Africa.

The Africa Civility Show expects to reshape the way the world thinks about and looks at Africa and help rebuild her confidence in herself, so she becomes the Oasis of the world.

"It was an honor be invited back to TACS," the Greens commented "Dr. Mutola is a brilliant educator and cutting-edge philosopher. We loved the way he facilitated the conversation and helped connect the discussion to the the heart of his audience. We could see that he has his finger on the pulse of his community, country and continent."

The topic centered around the Green's soon-coming book that will speak to the Process that every human being must go through in order to bring forth the Success that they are already created to be. That process involves understanding 8 keys that will help an individual or an organization navigate through life and its challenges. 

The Green's insisted that Success begins with God. Drawing from the Biblical reference of Psalm 139, the Greens explained that Success is encoded in our DNA. The very fact that God has given us life means we are the manifestation of God's Success released on Earth. Therefore, we are not striving to be successful, but we are yielding to a process that will reveal the Success that God has created us to be.

Dr, Mutola honed in on the painful part of the process by posing questions on how the audience can get past the dead ends, road blocks, despair and disappointments in life.

"The answers were so powerful and so profound," expressed Dr. Mutola, "After one hour of dialogue, we only covered two of the eight keys. However, I felt the listeners needed time to digest, dissect and really grasp the nuggets of wisdom that were being presented."

The new book by the Greens will be titled: Rest, Retreats, Revival and other Comedies: You are Success in Process. The Greens said they realize the title is very different, but are confident that it will make sense as readers walk through the keys. 

In the meantime, Dr Mutola said,"We must have them back on the show to continue releasing the other six keys in the Process of Success."

Editor's Note: Watch the Livestream HERE

Honored and Recognized as Icons of Greatness

London, UK ---Chris and Carol Green were officially inducted in the 2021 World Book of Greatness today on the Greatness TV global broadcast. The World Book of Greatness is the world’s first and only official record of great (yet primarily unknown) people around the world. 

This book is curated by Greatness University, which was founded by Dr. Patrick Businge, EdD, PhD, DFSHC. Greatness University is the world’s first institution dedicated to discovering, developing and delivering greatness in individuals and organizations. 

As dedicated greatness creators, GU’s team members, business partners and global ambassadors are always researching, rewarding and celebrating greatness and acknowledging legends, creators, leading lights, masters and icons of greatness in the world.

"We are extremely honored and humbled by this," the Greens commented in response to their selection, "In spite of the challenges of 2020, this has been absolutely surreal for us. All honor and praise goes to God!"

The Greens were selected for induction in the category known as Global Icons of Greatness. Dr. Businge describes Icons of Greatness as people who have done ordinary things in extraordinary ways. 

The Greens qualified for this distinction because they are the world's leading producers of CARE-Ready Life Coaches™. They have been teaching and training community, government and education leaders, human service organizers, business visionaries, and neighborhood dreamers how to be much more effective by embracing the principles of CARE (Compassion, Authenticity, Respect and Empathy) in their professional and personal lives. They LISTEN to, LIFT up and LAUNCH people. Then they equip and empower them to do the same for others through their coaching and consulting business known as C and C Connections, LLC.

Chris and Carol Green are also Professors of Administrative Leadership and Searcher Education at United Graduate College and Seminary International. They each hold Life Achievement, competency-based Bachelor and Masters degrees in Christian Leadership and they are recipients of honorary doctorates in Christian Leadership (Chris) and Humanities (Carol); as well as honorary doctorates in Society and Human Rights (both).

Last, but not least, they are the founders of the Fruitful Life Network of Ministries which serves, equips and empowers people of Faith through: One Business, One School, One Ministry and One Mission.

Collaborating with Life Esteem Holistic Wellness Center

 

Chris and Carol Green with Pat and Nate Gadsden 

on the Life Esteem TV Program.

Pennsylvania, USA --- Chris and Carol Green officially joined the Advisory Committee of the Life Esteem, Inc's Holistic Wellness Initiative in South Central Pennsylvania. As CARE-Ready Life Coaches and life educators, they continue to lead by example in their local community.

“I’m honored that these two phenomenal people accepted my invitation to join our Advisory Committee,” said Pat Gadsden who is the co-founder of the Life Esteem Holistic Wellness Center; and for more than 40 years, has been one of the Capital Region’s recognized leaders in health and wellness for the urban community. 

“We met the Gadsden about three years ago when we were asked to speak at a fund raiser for another wonderful organization in our community,” shares Carol Green, “At the conclusion of that event, the Gadsdens invited us to their Life Esteem television program.  A few months later, the Life Esteem team went through our CARE-Ready Coaching training. That's when we reached a milestone of 50 Certified CARE-Ready Life Coaches at that time.  Afterwards, we worked with Pat, providing co-training for the staff of a local women’s shelter. And of course, we’ve been together at several community events.”

Pat is a successful entrepreneur and respected trainer. She provides consultant services to businesses, state agencies, institutions of higher education, and human-service organizations. When the opportunity came from the State's Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs for Life Esteem to extend services to the Opioid Recovery Community through Holistic Wellness workshops, the Greens were not only brought on board to co-facilitate, but to also join the Holistic Wellness Committee. 

“We were honored and humbled to be asked to join this prestigious Committee,” commented Chris Green, “The Gadsdens are major influencers in this community and we felt it was a natural fit to unite our efforts with this initiative. We believe we can all be much more effective through innovative, solution-based collaboration.”

As the world's leading producers of CARE-Ready Coaches™, Chris and Carol Green teach and train community, government and education leaders, human service organizers, business visionaries, and neighborhood dreamers how to be much more effective by embracing the principles of CARE (Compassionate Awareness with Respect and Empathy) in their professional and personal lives. They LISTEN to people, LIFT people and LAUNCH people. Then they equip and empower them to do the same for others.

If you want to be trained and empowered to coach or mentor with a purpose that's greater than yourself, EXPLORE THAT POSSIBILITY at   https://www.candcconnections.com/life-coach-certification

Included as Panelists in Spiritual Wellness Workshop

Chris and Carol Green address attendees of Spiritual Wellness Panel Discussion

Pennsylvania, USA ----Today, Community Life Coaches, Chris and Carol Green participated as Panelist in a Spiritual Wellness Workshop at the Life Esteem Holistic Wellness Center.  The session was one of eight workshops that were provided by the Pennsylvania Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs. The workshops walk through the Eight Dimensions of Wellness and are designed to help individuals and family members of those who are recovering from opioid addiction.

The Eight Dimensions of Wellness are: Environmental Wellness, Occupational Wellness, Intellectual Wellness, Emotional Wellness, Social Wellness, Financial Wellness, Physical Wellness and Spiritual Wellness.

“It was an honor to be part of this today,” stated Chris Green. “We met two other awesome panelists, and their journeys and perspectives on Spiritual Wellness were inspiring.”

The other panelists were Jennifer Parsons, who is pursuing Chaplaincy and a Master of Divinity Degree at Eastern Mennonite Seminary; and Vikram Pattarkine, a keen student of yoga and practitioner for over four decades, who follows and actively promotes a natural plant-based diet for personal health and the planet’s sustainability.

All of the workshops have been facilitated by La-Verna Fountain, an influential and respected expert in the fields of Communications, Conflict Resolution and Transformational Speaking, who is an in-demand resource for corporations, organizations, non-profits, and community leaders across all sectors. She brought the Greens on board as presenters of the Occupational Wellness Workshop and as guest on the Spiritual Wellness panel. The workshops were conducted from September through December 2020.

“For us, Spiritual Wellness is about having every aspect your life to come from a motivation of love,” the Greens shared with the attendees. “By love, we mean God, because God is love. It was the fundamental motivation in our 40 years of marriage, our parenting, in our evolutionary process, and in all of our experiential success.”

The main objectives of today’s session were for the participants to come away with an understanding of what is meant by the term  ‘Spiritual Wellness’, to have considered their own spiritual health, and to know the difference between spiritual wellness and religion. From the feedback that was offered at the conclusion of the 3-hour session, the goals were achieved and the audience was thoroughly enriched and encouraged in their spiritual health pursuits.

Editors Note: Watch a brief video clip of the Green's presentation at https://vimeo.com/490334971

In Spite Covid, Lockdown Challenges, Now Over 80 Coaches Certified

UGCSI, USA ---Master Life CARE-Ready Coaches, Chris and Carol Green, graduated their second and final  Live Video Conference-based Coaching Certification Class in 2020. This class included students from Pennsylvania and North Carolina.

“Congratulations to our new CARE-Ready Life Coaches," commented facilitators Chris and Carol Green. "They overcame personal struggles, hospital emergencies, the Covid-19 lock down, and life upheavals to work through an accelerated, rigorous training that included video conferencing, homework assignments, probing discussions, and self discovery; which all led to tonight: Official Certification as CARE-Ready Life Coaches.”

After working through 10 weeks (15 hours) of instruction, the newest CARE-Ready™ Coaches successfully passed an online exam, submitted their personalized life coaching field manuals, and made class presentations to express how they were each going to meet the challenges of implementing their coaching models in the community.

“All of 2020 has been challenging,” explains Chris Green, “We launched a class back in March, when the Covid-19 lock downs first started. We instantly shifted that group of students to a live video conferencing format and they graduated in May. After a lull through the summer months, we launched a class in September and that group of students showed great resiliency to reach this very special night to celebrate their accomplishments.”

As affiliate members and International Statesmen with iChange Nations™, Chris and Carol Green have partnered with United Graduate College and Seminary International (UGCSI) to offer an accelerated, ministry-accredited life coaching certification program. Their collaborative purpose and mission has been, to offer leaders, working in under-served communities, high-quality tools that empower and equip them to be more effective in their humanitarian efforts. 

The Greens, who are also Professors of Searcher Education at UGCSI, have now trained and certified 84 CARE-Ready™ Life Coaches and 25 Care-Ready™ Responders since launching their CARE-Ready Coaching Certification program. These 21st-century, success-ready coaches are dispersed among 23 organizations, agencies, and outreaches across their city, region, and the United States.

Comments from the students of this graduating class of November 2020 included:

“It was such a privilege to take this training! When I first started this training I had some assumptions, but by the time I got through this course my assumptions were challenged and diminished."

"In the words of author, Ever Garrison, “A teacher is a compass that activates the magnets of curiosity, knowledge and wisdom in the pupils.” My recent acquisition as a certified life coach poignantly personifies both of your efforts. You have empowered me. I will use this knowledge to enhance my opportunities as a life coach. Thank you for stretching my horizons.."

"This class was awesome and emotional because we had to go through every single thing that we are going to put other people through; which means we had to really deal with some junk in our own closets. This course adjusted my outlook on what it will mean to life coach others."

"There's been times I didn't think I would make it and the classes helped me in the process I was going through. Thank you to the Greens; you have been angels in my life."

Watch the Replay of the Online Ceremony HERE

As the world's leading producers of CARE-Ready™ Coaches, Chris and Carol Green teach and train community, government and education leaders, human service organizers, business visionaries, and neighborhood dreamers how to be much more effective by embracing the principles of CARE (Compassionate Accountability with Respect and Empathy) in their professional and personal lives. They LISTEN to people, LIFT people and LAUNCH people. Then they equip and empower them to do the same for others.

Many coaching, mentoring and community outreach programs employ what is known as a "deficit model" of working with people. That's where you focus on the problems (deficits) of a person, and then apply a set of pre-determined, cookie cutter steps and treatments to address their issues. The deficit-based model is what many well-meaning Helpers use, but it rarely works long-term, leaving Helpers wondering why their clients fail to break the cycles of addiction and recidivism.

However, CARE-Ready™ Coaching mirrors the principles found in the proven, Best Practice strategies of Strength-based, Solution-focused models. CARE-Ready coaches are trained to connect with people in order to build a relationship/ partnership that empowers the client; thus allowing the client to discover the solutions that will work best for them.

Also, while many coaching programs focus on how to target potential high-paying affluent clients, and high-paying speaking opportunities, the Greens train, equip and empower Care-Ready™ Providers and Coaches, who are willing to take on the most often overlooked people of society; those who live in under-served communities, who can least afford, but benefit the most from professional guidance.

If you want to be trained and empowered to coach or mentor with a purpose that's greater than yourself, EXPLORE THAT POSSIBILITY at   https://www.fruitfullifelearningcommunity.org/care-ready-certification