Lately I have been asked to describe my “unique” approach to coaching. So, I’ve been thinking and thinking and discovering that with all the different versions of coaching out there, and all the people doing it, none of the “words” that come to mind seem particularly unique. Then, suddenly, an image came to mind that feels very right to describe the way I understand the coaching relationship and the process of coaching. As is quite usual for me, it is a metaphorical image related to water, and I would like to share here:
I visualize coaching as a large body of water upon which floats a comfortable and sturdy sailing boat. I (coach) am the boat. You (coachee) are the captain. Your vision and wonderings (and, yes, sometimes fears) are the wind that fills the sails. Your work at the helm is what harnesses and focuses that wind to move forward towards your destination(s). You chart the course for our long term and daily journeys. You are at the helm, to adjust the speed, steer, monitor our direction and progress, and respond to challenges as the journey develops.
As captain, you can change course as and when you wish in response to local conditions, or when new discoveries come into focus from over the horizon. Maybe you even decide to go into port for a while… in short, you are responsible for using the boat, the wind and the water to move forward: your actions (I include “thinking” as an action) will take us to the desired destination.
On any journey, you can expect some glorious days with gentle breezes as we move forward. Other days will be windy and the speed will be exhilarating, even sometimes scary.
Curious explorers sometimes get into a closed backwater where the water is still, not moving. What a wonderful spot for throwing in a pebble to watch the ripples that develop and expand towards the shore! Sometimes there are amazing discoveries to be made in the calm, quiet backwaters!
There will inevitably be some stormy days… unpleasant conditions, but with a sturdy boat and a committed captain we can make it to a port or ride out the storm. Occasionally a particularly heavy storm may blow up out of nowhere and you may get dumped into the water. No worries, the boat comes with a life preserver system to keep you afloat and help you back into the boat.
Are you ready to set sail? Where would you like to go? When would you like to get started? When would you like to arrive? I would love to hear from you and share your journey!
Original watercolor image by Daniele Ballerini.
I visualize coaching as a large body of water upon which floats a comfortable and sturdy sailing boat. I (coach) am the boat. You (coachee) are the captain. Your vision and wonderings (and, yes, sometimes fears) are the wind that fills the sails. Your work at the helm is what harnesses and focuses that wind to move forward towards your destination(s). You chart the course for our long term and daily journeys. You are at the helm, to adjust the speed, steer, monitor our direction and progress, and respond to challenges as the journey develops.
As captain, you can change course as and when you wish in response to local conditions, or when new discoveries come into focus from over the horizon. Maybe you even decide to go into port for a while… in short, you are responsible for using the boat, the wind and the water to move forward: your actions (I include “thinking” as an action) will take us to the desired destination.
On any journey, you can expect some glorious days with gentle breezes as we move forward. Other days will be windy and the speed will be exhilarating, even sometimes scary.
Curious explorers sometimes get into a closed backwater where the water is still, not moving. What a wonderful spot for throwing in a pebble to watch the ripples that develop and expand towards the shore! Sometimes there are amazing discoveries to be made in the calm, quiet backwaters!
There will inevitably be some stormy days… unpleasant conditions, but with a sturdy boat and a committed captain we can make it to a port or ride out the storm. Occasionally a particularly heavy storm may blow up out of nowhere and you may get dumped into the water. No worries, the boat comes with a life preserver system to keep you afloat and help you back into the boat.
Are you ready to set sail? Where would you like to go? When would you like to get started? When would you like to arrive? I would love to hear from you and share your journey!
Original watercolor image by Daniele Ballerini.