I started to hear about professional coaching a few years
ago; it sounded to me like something silly people do. Passing judgment in
blissful ignorance (don’t judge, we all do it from time to time), I just wrote
it off.
Then my wife Laurie was invited to take a few coaching
classes a few years ago. Some trusted friends encouraged her to take advantage
of the opportunity, knowing that she would be good at it. While taking the
classes and reflecting on the materials in the days that followed, Laurie said
to me, “This coaching stuff is a lot like what you seem to do naturally.”
Laurie and I generally have our noses in each other’s business; she likened
coaching to the way I preferred to lead people on various teams that I worked
with.
I concluded that if coaching was an effort to teach people
how to operate the way I like to do things, teaching people to be like me, then
there must be something to it.
My friend Craig has become a proficient and certified coach
over the past few years. An extended conversation over coffee several weeks ago
turned into me asking him a lot of questions about coaching… resulting in me becoming
even more intrigued.
And then my friend Beth kept sending me emails urging me to
take a few classes. She was sending them to a big list, hundreds if not
thousands of people… but they were hitting me with the impact of a personal
invitation. I had a certain sense that I ought to give it a try. So I did,
completing 32 hours of classroom instruction and practice last week.
My hope was to gain some tools for my toolbox. I had no
intention to actually be a coach, run anything like a structured coaching
session, or have anyone call me a coach. I just figured I’d gain some handy
skills.
I did gain some handy skills… but I also came to understand
that, at least for me, while coaching skills may be handy in a variety of
contexts, the best way to apply professional coaching skills is in a purposeful,
structured coaching context. So…
I think I’m going to be a coach.
That will require more training, a mentor coach, and some
practice. I’m already on my way, and intend to qualify for at least an
entry-level of certification.
If you’d like to be among my beta testers (in person, on the phone, or on Skype), allowing me to
get some practice, let me know. It is a professional service, but at this stage
of this rookie coach’s path I’m sure I can make you a very sweet deal.
I’ve hung out a shingle. Check it out at http://www.greatifiers.com/services/coaching
and let me know if I can be of any help; I’d love to work with you.
