As a Psychological Scientist and former Director of a MSc in Mental Health and Wellbeing in the workplace, I’m familiar with the factors that allow humans flounder or flourish, inside and outside of work.
I’ve long championed psychological interventions that target mind and thinking patterns to improve wellbeing, both as an expert and recipient of such interventions. My research over the past decade focused on the connection between mind, body, and relationships, but it wasn’t until experiencing burnout and a spiritual awakening that I truly appreciated the soul’s vital role in human wellbeing. I realised that this was the missing piece—the secret element of true peace in mind and body. You can read more about my personal story here.
These days, I guide leaders through this alchemical process to live and lead more peacefully and purposefully through mind-body-soul coaching. This blog explains exactly what this holistic approach entails and the benefits for tired and overwhelmed leaders and achievers seeking deeper meaning, purpose, and alignment.
Beyond Traditional Coaching: The Power of a Holistic Approach to Leadership Development
In science, we get very specific—niching down, as they say, to isolate the effects of one variable from others. While this approach has its merits, it often results in understanding human functioning and behaviour in isolation: the mind as separate from the body, the brain as disconnected from other organs. Evidence from multiple disciplines is converging to show that everything is interconnected—from quantum entanglement at the universal level to the First Law of Ecology and of geography at the planetary level, and social contagion at the human level.
The same disconnected approach has been true in the coaching of leaders. Coaching has its roots in the Socratic Method (460 BC)—a dialogue between mentor and student centered on asking and answering questions. The term “coach” was first used in an academic context in the 1830s, referring to tutors who “carried” their students through exams. By 1861, sports coaching emerged, and it wasn’t until the 20th century that coaching expanded into the realms of personal development and business.
Today, the most common forms of coaching include Executive Coaching, Leadership Coaching, Performance Coaching, Career Coaching, Mindset Coaching, Fitness Coaching, and Health and Wellness Coaching.
Most of these services are niche, targeting work or mind or body.
As you might suspect, focusing on just one area—whether it’s career, mindset, or health—isn’t enough for transformative personal growth—the real magic happens with a holistic, whole-person approach.
It’s not just me who believes this, the Center for Creative Leadership recommends a holistic coaching as best practice, acknowledges that “people are a combination of mind, body, and spirit”.
The Mind-Body-Soul Connection
Research supporting the mind-body connection has grown significantly in recent decades, with numerous studies demonstrating how mental, emotional, and physical health are intertwined.
For example, in my own research, we found that anxiety and depression consistently resulted in somatic symptom i.e., physical manifestation of mental distress in the body, such as headaches, stomach aches, joint pain.
Neuroscience, psychology, and psychoneuroimmunology all support the idea that the brain acts as a command center, sending signals throughout systems of the body to regulate thinking, planning, and physical functions.
It’s no surprise that numerous systematic reviews and meta-analyses show that mind-body interventions can improve health outcomes in healthy individuals and those facing illness, including reduce markers of inflammation, improved immune functioning, improved cognitive function and decreased labour pain.
While the mind-body connection is now widely accepted, research is pushing further and exploring the mind-body-soul connection, moving it from the fringes of science into the mainstream. Many adults acknowledge the existence of a soul that is connected to, yet distinct from, biological and cognitive functions. On a quantum level, some researchers propose that the body, mind, and soul are all forms of energy, interconnected within a holographic universe.
Why Leaders Need a Holistic Approach to Growth
Most of us are living in a fast-paced, hustle-promoting, high-pressure environment, where we’re expected to juggle multiple and often contradicting priorities. While traditional coaching methods are valuable, the focus on specific skills or performance metrics, without addressing the whole person, fall short.
Effective coaches must acknowledge that leaders aren’t just strategists, decision-makers, and output machines, we’re humans navigating emotional, mental, physical, and spiritual demands, inside and outside of work.
Ignoring the multidimensional nature of humans leads to imbalance, burnout, or feelings of being “stuck.”
For example, perhaps you’ve received workplace coaching and you’ve mastered delegation, but you’re still struggling with self-doubt, imposter syndrome, and feeling physically drained from consistently overworking.
True leadership growth isn’t just about developing skills—it’s about becoming whole, balanced, and empowered, and requires harmony between your inner purpose and outer actions.
When you let go of what is no longer serving you, you become lighter, and in turn, you light up those around you.
Holistic coaching bridges the gaps left by traditional coaching by addressing the interconnectedness of the mind, body, and soul, to create a foundation for sustainable growth.
With a holistic approach, you’ll gain clarity on your why—your deeper purpose—while simultaneously learning how to manage stress and overwhelm, align actions with values, and lead from a place of integrity.
The result? Leaders who don’t just survive the demands of their roles, but thrive.
Mind-body-soul coaching will equip you to tackle challenges with resilience, lead with authenticity, and inspire those around you. When you grow, you elevate everyone you lead.
The Benefits of Holistic Coaching for Leaders
Holistic coaching transforms leaders by focusing on the mind, body, and soul:
- Mind: Mindset coaching enhances emotional intelligence, self-awareness, and problem-solving. It helps leaders reframe limiting beliefs, set clear values, priorities, and boundaries, and approach challenges creatively. It can include cognitive-behavioural approaches, hypnosis, and neural reprogramming.
- Body: Somatic coaching cultivates a mindful awareness of emotions, bodily sensations, movements, and postures, which are helpful for managing stress, improving energy levels, reducing pain, and becoming more attuned to your intuition. Leaders who use their intuition in addition to data are more creative and balanced. Practices can include body-scans, intentional movement, and breathwork.
- Soul: The inclusion and awareness of the spirit allows you to connect with yourself, beyond mind and body, and access a deeper well of wisdom and insight, beyond logic and intelligence. By developing your connection to Source, the universe, God—whatever you want to call it—you can more easily align your actions with your core values and purpose and transcend earthly desires and achievements. Mediation and mindfulness are both excellent approaches.
A holistic approach is supported by integrated leadership frameworks, like the ACES model, which incorporates Analytical, Conceptual, Emotional, and Spiritual dimensions of leadership. Most traditional coaching focuses heavily on the analytical and conceptual parts (think strategy and planning), but the emotional and spiritual pieces are just as important for becoming a well-rounded leader.
When leaders are in tune with their emotions, they can better energise and inspire their teams. And when they tap into their spiritual side, they help everyone see how their work connects to more meaningful goals and broader moral and ethical values. Together, these dimensions create leaders who are compassionate and truly impactful.
By becoming aligned and soul-centred, leaders can guide their teams in connecting day-to-day tasks and organisational mission to deeply held values that benefit society as a whole. Put simply, it’s about taking the time to think deeply about personal and professional alignment, and how your decisions affect others.
This whole-person approach fits perfectly with transformational leadership. As leadership expert Burns pointed out in the 1970s, being a transformational leader is really about being a moral leader. Moral values are a core feature across all major spiritual and religious traditions.
How to Know If Holistic Coaching is Right for You
Holistic coaching is perfect for open-minded and motivated individuals who are ready to take a deep dive into their personal and professional growth. If you’ve been feeling stuck, overwhelmed, or out of alignment, this approach could be the transformative step you’ve been searching for.
Ask yourself:
- Do you feel like something is missing, despite your external accolades and achievements?
- Are you struggling to balance your career and personal life?
- Do you feel like you’re constantly doing, but not truly achieving what matters?
- Do you feel a sense of being called to something greater?
- Are stress and self-doubt holding you back from stepping into your full potential?
- Do you crave greater clarity, purpose, and fulfillment in life and work?
- Are you ready to align your actions with your core values and vision?
If you answered yes to any of these questions, holistic coaching could help you uncover the root of these challenges and guide you toward meaningful solutions.
The beauty of mind-body-soul coaching lies in its personalisation—it meets you exactly where you are and supports you in growing into the leader and human you were born to be.
Why Now is the Perfect Time for Leaders to Embrace Holistic Growth
Every transformation begins with a single step, and deciding to invest in holistic coaching shows you’re serious about your growth. Whether you’re leading a company or team or running your own business, holistic coaching will enable you to align your strategy and vision by getting your head, body, and spirit all working together – your personal recipe for authentic success!
Taking the first step doesn’t require you having all the answers—it simply requires being open to change and growth and trying something new. Whether you’re ready to rediscover balance, unlock untapped potential, or lead with greater peace and purpose, holistic coaching is the catalyst that can help you get there.
The question is: are you ready? Your most balanced, fulfilled, and impactful self is waiting on the other side. Let’s start this transformative journey together.
Download the free Mind-Body-Soul Audit, book a 1:1 call, or check out my signature coaching program The Luminary™️.