Guiding or supporting someone on their personal wellness journey is a big responsibility and a great privilege. It is imperative that wellness professionals continue to learn from our experiences and inform our practice with new research and proven strategies as we adapt to the needs of our population. But when we rely only on our learned theory and “best practices” to determine what solutions and strategies to pursue, we often miss an incredible opportunity to lean into and develop how we show up and connect authentically with the people we want to serve.

Our ability to humble ourselves and exercise curiosity and compassion helps us to build trust and create long-term opportunities for self-discovery, self-care, and self-improvement. Supporting change in an individual or in an organization must begin with planting seeds for a psychologically safe environment and offering opportunities and helpful strategies for inter- and intra-personal reflection, connection, and courageous conversation.

The NWI Wellness Promotion Competency Model gives us evidence-based competencies related to authenticity and self-awareness that, when strengthened, allow wellness professionals to serve their clients and communities with a greater impact. The four wellness promotion competencies included in the model’s Authenticity and Self-awareness domain include:

Engage in ongoing reflection to expand personal growth and professional development in multiple dimensions of wellness.
Demonstrate commitment to wellness promotion by modeling healthy lifestyle practices in multiple dimensions of wellness
Establish authentic and autonomy-supportive relationships
Recognize your own limitations in wellness promotion and refer individuals to other professionals when appropriate to support their wellness goals.

As wellness professionals, we must realize that we are not selling a product. We are selling relationships. It could be a relationship with a coach, a trainer, a health educator, a counselor, or other specialist. If someone is going to buy into the lifestyle, mindset, or method you are selling, you will first need to earn their respect and their trust. Once we establish this connection, then we slowly introduce meaningful and timely education, resources, and support that help them heal and strengthen their relationship with self. Using the Six Dimensions of Wellness as a guide, we can offer exercises or referrals to help individuals invest in their relationship with their physical, emotional, social, intellectual, occupational, and spiritual well-being.

Showing up as an authentic and self-aware practitioner helps you lead with confidence, credibility, and compassion to put others at ease, meet them where they are, and engage them through the stages of change in all dimensions of their wellness so that they can function optimally in their current environment.