Meet Chad Nelson | Meaning-based Coach

We had the good fortune of connecting with Chad Nelson and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Chad, is there a quote or affirmation that’s meaningful to you?
In his book, Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance, Robert Pirsig said – “It’s the sides of the mountain where growth is at (the journey upward), not at the peak.” Having hiked the Rocky Mountains, that’s certainly true. The “journey upward” is the process. We can obsessively focus on an outcome; hyper-intend an outcome. When we do that, we too easily neglect or overlook important relationships necessary for that outcome to happen. Pirsig’s quote reminds me to focus on the journey, the process. Don’t overlook the relationships in the journey we’re on. Enjoy the process, for that is where we grow and improve. The process (journey) is also how we obtain a desire outcome. When we get to the peak (achievement), the satisfaction is but for a time. But when we’re looking up as we hike (making progress), joy & growth live long. And when it comes to growth – if we’re not changing, we’re not growing, and if we’re not growing, we’re not really living. Be about the journey.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
I started Teal Conversations in the summer of 2020. Just before that, I was in a deep depression for three years. During that time, I read a couple of books by Viktor Frankl and a few of his disciples. A concept I learned about was de-reflection. If I couldn’t overcome my depression, I could at least endure it by focusing on and pursuing something meaningful. Something beyond myself. I’m married, and our son still lived with us during that time. So I certainly had a meaning to fulfill with them in my life. But I still experienced a deep emptiness. So, I decided to take my 15 years of experience in organizational leadership and strategically help others with it. As a result, I created a vehicle to do just that – Teal Conversations. It’s a leadership coaching business – focusing on new and emerging leaders. Because of the influence of Frankl and others, I’ve infused a meaning-based approach. I believe meaning is the mother of motivation. As I work with individuals or teams, I want to evoke the meaning people already have within them as I support their growth in specific areas of leadership.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
If they’re up to it, I’d take them to Sedona and do rock scaling. Beautiful scenery, physically exhilarating, and a space to kind of take inventory of your attitude in the difficulties of life. The Sun Lakes area has a beautiful flat landscape with mountains at the distance – unique. We’d check that out. I forget the name of the bar in Sun Lakes, but it has, not “bar” food, but something you’d get from a high-end restaurant. That combination is unique. I’ve eaten there twice. I’d take them there as well.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
There are several authors (their books) that have been of immense help on my journey. Man’s Search for Meaning – Viktor Frankl
Emotional Agility – Susan David
Quiet – Susan Cain
Meaning in Suffering – Elisabeth Lukas
Meaningful Living – Elisabeth Lukas
Guideposts to Meaning – Joseph Fabry
Viktor Frankl’s Logotherapy – Ann Graber
The Doctor and the Soul – Viktor Frankl
Prisoners of our Thoughts – Alex Pattikos

Website: Tealconversations.com

Instagram: ChadLnelson

Linkedin: Chad Nelson

Twitter: ChadLnelson

Other: Tik Tok – chadLnelson

Image Credits
They are my images.