A Seemingly Unlikely Pair: Business and Astrology
Exploring how astrology can serve as a powerful, multidimensional business assessment tool for deeper client coaching insights.
A Seemingly Unlikely Pair: Business and Astrology
In the realm of coaching, a plethora of assessment tools are available to help coaches understand their clients, use the data to guide them, track progress, and offer insights into potential limitations. Well-known tools such as the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator, Gallup's CliftonStrengths, VIA Inventory of Strengths, Leader Competency Inventory, Mindvalley Assessment, Enneagram, and Team Effectiveness Assessment are just a few examples. The variety of assessments is extensive, with each serving as a potentially valuable instrument.
With so many options available, why choose astrology, which is arguably one of the lesser-known and more contentious choices for a coach? I see it very differently, and here's why.
Each individual is a complex, multifaceted being shaped by genetics, experiences, learned behaviors, and belief systems, all of which influence who they are and how they act. The amalgamation of these influences, much like DNA, is unique to each person. DNA enables scientists to provide a more precise evaluation of a person as a whole than by examining a single gene. Similarly, astrology can offer a comprehensive, multidimensional view of an individual, unlike individual business assessment tools that may require coordinating multiple assessments to create a more holistic picture. Astrology can illuminate the perceived correlations among various aspects of an individual's characteristics more readily, as the information is consolidated in one place. It can reveal connections between how individuals handle stress and the partners they attract, or how they manage emotions and the belief systems they develop as a consequence.
To draw an analogy, astrology, in comparison to a personality test, is akin to viewing a fetus on a sonogram versus a 3D scan that reveals the features of an unborn child. The depth of information provided by astrology, even at its most fundamental level, can be remarkable.
For instance, analyzing the planet Mercury in a natal chart—which is formulated based on one's birth moment and the alignment of planets and astrological signs—can offer insights into an individual's personal and professional interactions, communication style, financial acumen, problem-solving approach, and personal growth trajectory. In my view, astrology can be a powerful business assessment tool. Within a 90-minute session, I can obtain a comprehensive perspective of my client, enabling me to support them on a deeper level.
Not all clients seek a chart reading, and that is completely understandable. The same insights can be uncovered gradually through my coaching sessions as I build a deeper understanding of them. Nonetheless, an astrological chart can serve as an efficient, time-saving tool for both the client and me. It allows me to quickly pinpoint the areas that require attention.
For instance, certain zodiac signs may excel in money matters but, at the same time, struggle with interpersonal interactions. If senior management places a person with this astrological profile in a managerial position to improve the firm's financial outcomes but then sees that person's lack of managerial skills negatively affecting the team, I can promptly offer tailored guidance on team-management strategies that align with their strengths and optimize team performance.
I acknowledge that astrology may not resonate with everyone. It is often perceived as mystical, lacking a scientific basis, or merely a form of fortune-telling. That perspective is valid, which is why I do not mandate chart readings for my clients. I prioritize what resonates with a client's coaching style and personal preferences. If a particular approach or technique does not resonate with you, it is best not to force yourself to adopt it.
On various levels, I also agree with certain criticisms regarding the use or misuse of astrology. For instance, I do not advocate relying solely on astrology to guide investment decisions in the stock market or determine whether a business investment is sound.
What I share with clients who are not interested in a chart reading is this: after having read hundreds of charts, I know beyond a shadow of a doubt that I have found valuable insights in them. If someone is willing to explore astrology, I believe it can be worth considering their strengths and weaknesses from a different perspective.
