Leaders and coaches are constantly looking for ways to get the best out of their teams. But true high performance isn’t just about pushing harder; it’s about resilience and mental wellbeing. You know those external mandates and mandatory training sessions? They only get you halfway there.

The real game-changer is cultivating inner peace and self-esteem right inside your team members.

That’s where Eirenicon suggestions come in. This powerful idea comes from the Greek word Eirene, which simply means “peace”. For any leader or manager, learning to use this language is like unlocking a secret level of influence—it helps you achieve deeper engagement and create positive shifts that actually last.

The Executive Advantage: A Quiet Word with the Unconscious

Eirenicon suggestions are basically conversational hypnotic language. We’re not talking about swinging a watch; we’re talking about speaking directly to the unconscious mind—the part that drives habits, beliefs, and emotional reactions. If you want to change how people feel about work, you have to talk to the part of their brain that’s in charge of their feelings!

The core goal? To help your team stop feeling like they’re running on the “I have to” or “I must” treadmill (which is stressful!) and shift them towards the freedom of “I can” or “I choose to.”

Here’s how you make that subtle shift:

• A Gentle Nudge: Acknowledge their current reality, then smoothly guide them to a better one. You might say, “I’ve noticed you’re thinking deeply about this challenge, and as you do, you may notice a greater sense of clarity beginning to emerge.“
• Affirm Their Value: Constantly affirm your team member’s value, boosting that essential self-esteem and peace. You could write a short sentence of positive affirmation in one of your emails, such as: “The entire team highly values your unique perspectives, and I encourage you to continue bringing the fullest, most positive expression of yourself to our sessions.”

Talk the Talk, Write the Write: Your Tools for Influence

The best part of Eirenicon suggestions is that they work whether you’re having a quick chat in the hallway or drafting a formal performance review.

Coaching for Inner Peace (Verbal)

In one-on-one meetings with your direct reports, your voice and delivery are key. Use techniques that assume success and plant seeds of comfort:

Fast Forward to Calm: Project them into a peaceful future state. The unconscious mind then gets busy figuring out how to achieve it.

• Try this: “Imagine what a calmer, more productive week you’ll be having when you’ve integrated your new thinking into your proactive approach.“

Assume the Win: Phrase your statements so the positive outcome is treated as a given.

• Try this: “When you begin to really enjoy the benefits of having made this decision, what’s the first positive result you’ll notice?“

The Reverse Psychology Trick: For those analytical folks who tend to push back, tell them not to do the positive thing. Their brain has to process the positive to resist the suggestion!

• Try this: “Don’t think too deeply about how much easier this new process is going to become for you.“

Messaging for Self-Esteem (Written)

Your written words stick around and get reread. This is a great place to use those powerful, vague concepts and subtle suggestions.

Subtle Suggestions for Comfort: Embed a directive for peace right into your message.

• Example (in an email to a stressed employee): “Know that you can take a deep breath and review these notes at a time that works best for you. You can sleep easier at night, knowing you have the full support of the team.”

Vague Power Words: Use strong, ambiguous words (like freedom or competence) that encourage the person’s unconscious to define them in a way that is personally meaningful and positive.

• Example (in a team announcement): “We are excited for the next phase, which will allow for a profound and growing sense of shared competence and freedom across the department.”

A Simple Peace Reminder: A straightforward phrase that gives them permission for self-care.

• Example (on a check-in): “The volume of work we’re experiencing is demanding, so please trust your judgement and be kind to yourself. You’re at your best when you’re feeling your best.“

The Secret Ingredient: Being Real

Ultimately, the power of Eirenicon suggestions isn’t just about sounding clever. It hinges on your intent. If you genuinely want your team to find peace and thrive, your words land differently.

Remember the three essential elements for making these suggestions stick: a truly positive intent, a strong relationship (rapport), and a consistent process (the way you communicate).

When you speak or write, your tone (or the tone of your text) must match the feeling you’re trying to convey. If you write about “calm focus,” the entire message should feel calm and focused.

By being intentional, positive, and congruent, you move beyond surface-level motivation and start facilitating the deep, internal shifts that support genuine wellbeing and lasting success for everyone.