Michael Mellen is a coach, trainer, and speaker with a focus on leadership development and transition within organizations. He brings an ability to find sparks in just about everyone and to help others do the same. Whether speaking one-on-one, to small groups or to groups of thousands Michael aims to connect with and understand the people with whom he is interacting. His desire to bring emotional intelligence to analytical business is paired with his work to bring analysis and logic to organizations driven by heart-centered concerns.
Coaching Style
Michael’s clients describe him as someone who can see though and make sense of a whirlwind of thoughts, while asking powerful questions and providing a caring, open, and strong presence. He believes that each client has her answers and that his work is to provide the space, the support, the challenge and the outside perspective that can help to uncover those answers. Michael balances between leaving space for the client’s journey to emerge and providing structure for exploration and growth as a leader, team member, and individual.
Michael’s coaching often includes a 360° review, MBTI®, Clifton Strengthsfinder®, FIRO-B®, PMAI®, and the Strong Interest Inventory®. He and his clients explore Emotional Intelligence, Systems Theory, the Gestalt Cycle of Experience, and the Theory of Intentional Change. Using these tools and others, Michael works with clients to explore beliefs, habits, and patterns, along with concrete ways in which to move from stuck to unstuck, from dissonance to resonance, and from chaos to clarity.
Special Interests
Michael focuses on developing resonant leaders, finding clarity in chaos, and working with individuals and organizations around transition. He is especially interested in working with individuals who feel they have plateaued at work and are looking to move to the next level, entrepreneurs who have gotten far on skill and nerve and are now looking to become resonant leaders who can transforms teams or organizations, and individuals striving to find an authentic voice in career and life. Michael believes in the power and importance of new parents taking time to be with family and he sees the positive impact on the organizations who support them.
Background
Before founding Lynx Coaching, Michael worked as a rabbi, innovation consultant and coach in congregational and organizational settings. Coaching has always been part of Michael’s work, whether as a congregational rabbi or in training and facilitating roles. Michael served as director of the North American Federation of Temple Youth (NFTY), overseeing over fifty staff and programs engaging approximately 12,000 teens. He has mentored and coached emerging leaders and seasoned professionals.
Clients
Michael’s clients range from independent entrepreneurs and organizational executives to summer camp directors and synagogue boards. He works with teams and individuals in for-profit and not-for-profit settings.
Training and Qualifications
Michael received his B.A. from University of Michigan and rabbinic ordination from Hebrew Union College. In addition, he holds the following credentials and training:
- CoachU Core Essentials Coach Training Graduate
- Myers-Briggs Type Indicator® (MBTI®) Certification though the Center for Applications of Psychological Type (C.A.P.T.)
- Prepare/Enrich Facilitator and Trainer with Life Innovations, Inc.
- Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) through HUC-JIR and Jewish Hospital, Cincinnati
- Graduate of the Institute for Jewish Spirituality, New York, NY
Michael continues to develop his skills, including current participation in the Teleos Coach Development Program and regular coaching supervision.