Mentoring and training coaches in management education are crucial for enhancing coaching skills and fostering leadership traits. This process sharpens coaches’ expertise and focuses on building abilities that enable them to guide their clients toward transformational management.

From a leadership standpoint, this is a strategic investment in human capital. Effective leaders understand that their role involves not only inspiring but also developing others. By fostering a coaching culture within organizations, leaders create an environment that promotes growth, collaboration and transformative leadership. Prioritizing coaching skills strengthens teams and drives success.

To achieve this goal, Dr. Lisa Leit, the Founder of Happy Whole Human, employs diverse methods in her mentoring and training of coaches. She specializes in strengths-based development, focusing on identifying and leveraging personal strengths while promoting holistic well-being including personal, professional and relationship health. Her training incorporates experiential learning in real-world scenarios, allowing coaches to practice and refine their skills in supportive environments.

Dr. Lisa implements personalized training programs, peer coaching and structured feedback loops, advocating for a future where education is central to organizational success. She champions emotional intelligence, inclusivity and adaptability, aiming to build a community of skilled coaches who empower individuals to become authentic leaders and drive meaningful change in organizations and society.

Establish a Successful Mediation Practice

Dr. Lisa’s journey into coaching and mediation has been shaped by a diverse range of experiences, beginning as a Teach for America middle school teacher in the Texas Rio Grande Valley. This early role instilled in her the importance of resilience, adaptability and the power of mentorship. Following this foundational experience, she transitioned into the corporate world in New York City, where she gained valuable insights into high-stakes environments and organizational dynamics.

With a desire to extend her understanding of human behavior, Dr. Lisa pursued a doctorate in psychology at UT Austin, initially intending to become a professor. However, her path took an unexpected turn when she chose to establish her practice in Austin, Texas. She began her career as a mediator, working with clients referred from small claims courts and later expanded her focus to include mediating and coaching individuals, couples and families. This work naturally evolved into leadership coaching, during which she assisted leaders in navigating personal and professional challenges.

In 2013, Dr. Lisa consolidated her experiences and expertise by founding the Happy Whole Human Institute. This initiative embodies her passion for teaching, mediation and coaching, offering a comprehensive, evidence-based approach to holistic wellness. Today, she is dedicated to mentoring and training coaches, guiding them as they help clients reconnect with their inherent wholeness and thrive in all aspects of their lives.

Inspiring Others through Empowerment and Guidance

A pivotal moment in Dr. Lisa’s career was her experience with her doctoral advisor at UT Austin, Dr. Deborah Jacobvitz. Dr. Jacobvitz was more than just an advisor; she was a brilliant teacher, mentor, supervisor, colleague, and friend who championed Dr. Lisa and her work. Throughout the often-daunting doctoral process, Dr. Jacobvitz provided relentless support, insightful guidance and a genuine belief in her potential. Her mentorship exemplified the power of truly successful individuals who lift and empower others.

This experience profoundly shaped her approach to coaching and leadership, emphasizing the importance of mentorship and the impact of standing on the shoulders of giants. Dr. Jacobvitz’s support taught Dr. Lisa the value of creating spaces where individuals feel seen, supported and capable of reaching their highest potential.

Inspired by Dr. Jacobvitz’s example, she strives to be that kind of guide for her clients and coaching students—offering not only knowledge and skills but also encouragement and empowerment to make a meaningful difference in their journeys.

Exploring the Dynamics of Coaching Partnerships

Dr. Lisa’s coaching philosophy is deeply rooted in authenticity, empathy and empowerment. She believes that everyone is whole and complete—what she refers to as a “Happy Whole Human.” In her role as a coach, Dr. Lisa aims to help clients reconnect with this inherent wholeness and recognize their potential to lead fulfilling, balanced lives.

Integrity and transparency are cornerstones of her practice; she strives to be clear and honest, assisting clients in understanding their strengths and areas for growth without judgment. Mutuality is another key principle that shapes her approach. She views coaching as a partnership where both the coach and the client actively engage, each bringing their unique perspectives and experiences.

This mutual engagement develops an environment of respect, shared learning and growth. By encouraging clients to actively participate in the coaching process, Dr. Lisa co-creates a journey of transformation that honors the wholeness within everyone.

Building Trust through Measurable Coaching Results

One major challenge for Dr. Lisa was the initial skepticism surrounding holistic coaching, which emphasizes the person, family and company. This was particularly pronounced when working with clients accustomed to more traditional, structured approaches. Balancing the value of evidence-based practices without overwhelming clients with data requires careful navigation.

Dr. Lisa overcame this challenge by simplifying and personalizing evidence-based techniques, focusing on practical applications that directly benefit her clients’ lives. By utilizing validated tools and encouraging tangible achievements, she was able to build trust and demonstrate tangible results.

Through refining her approach and remaining committed to ongoing learning, Dr. Lisa successfully integrated evidence-based practices into her coaching, making them accessible and effective for a diverse range of clients.

Creating Meaningful Connections

Inclusivity and diversity are central to Dr. Lisa’s coaching philosophy. She approaches each session with cultural sensitivity and an open mind, ensuring that her methods resonate with clients from varied backgrounds. In collaborative environments, she encourages open communication and actively seeks to understand everyone’s unique perspective.

Dr. Lisa emphasizes self-awareness and provides unconscious bias training to coaches. By developing an inclusive environment, she empowers both clients and colleagues to contribute authentically and feel respected for their unique viewpoints. This approach not only enriches the coaching experience but also facilitates more profound, more meaningful connections among all participants.

The Role of Positive Feedback

Maintaining a positive and motivating environment is crucial for the success of both clients and coaching students, according to Dr. Lisa. At Happy Whole Human, she employs a strengths-based approach that focuses on what individuals do well, leveraging those strengths for further growth. Celebrating small wins and acknowledging progress plays a vital role in building confidence and sustaining motivation.

A unique feature of Dr. Lisa’s program is the award-winning, psychometrically sound Happy Whole Human® Holistic Wellness Assessment. This tool provides actionable insights into clients’ well-being and encourages regular reassessment to track progress.

This feedback loop keeps clients engaged and allows them to celebrate their improvements alongside their coaches, reinforcing a sense of accomplishment and forward momentum.

Continuous Learning in Wellness Coaching

Continuous learning is essential in Dr. Lisa’s career. She engages in ongoing training, certifications and interactions with thought leaders in coaching and wellness. Regular attendance at workshops, conferences and webinars ensures that she remains updated on the latest research and methodologies.

She participates in peer-to-peer coaching and supervision to gain fresh perspectives and refine her skills. By staying connected to the coaching community and remaining open to feedback, she continually evolves and maintains a leading edge in the industry.

The Importance of Open Communication

Feedback is invaluable in Dr. Lisa’s practice, as it reflects the effectiveness of her methods and highlights areas for improvement. She actively seeks feedback from clients at different stages of the coaching process to refine her approach and better meet their needs.

By creating a culture of open communication, she encourages clients to share their honest thoughts about the coaching experience. This iterative process of receiving and applying feedback ensures that her coaching remains dynamic, client-centered and continuously evolving.

Nurturing Authentic Leaders

Looking ahead, Dr. Lisa aims to expand the impact of Happy Whole Human globally by developing more accessible, evidence-based coaching programs for a wider audience. She plans to advance the integration of holistic wellness practices in leadership development, emphasizing the importance of mental, emotional and physical health.

Dr. Lisa is also excited to continue training world-class coaches, preparing them to become ICF-certified and facilitators of the Happy Whole Human® Holistic Wellness program. By providing co-branded materials, mentoring, supervision and continuous professional development, she seeks to nurture a supportive community of skilled coaches who drive meaningful change.

This commitment to developing and supporting coaches aligns with her mission to cultivate transformational leaders who embody authenticity, empathy and empowerment.

Visit the institute website to learn more!