Nurturing hope through Coaching
In Term 2 we are learning about the “Aspects of personal power and influence” (Hartog, 2019, p. 266). What resonated with me is the topic of how to build leadership capacity.
“Leadership begins when we stop blaming others and making excuses when things go wrong.”
(Hartog, 2019, p. 266).
He explains that there are three areas of the coaching leadership capacity: authority, impact and presence. Authority comes from what you know and what you’ve done in the past. Presense is being able to be fully present, develop relationships with different types of people. Impact is “attracting energy of ‘presence’… People with high impact can shift the direction of a meeting, conversation or event” (Hartog, 2019, p 268).
In the ever-evolving landscape of professional coaching, the journey of self-discovery and personal development often goes hand in hand with guiding others toward their aspirations. As I step into Term 2 of my coaching venture, I find myself at a pivotal juncture, marked by a growing sense of confidence in the realm of "Authority”
Recently, I embarked on a new chapter as a coach at Mento.co, where my primary role involves providing coaching to aspiring product designers. This role has become a catalyst for the development of my own sense of "Authority," as I delve into the intricacies of coaching and leadership within the coaching domain.
But coaching is not solely about authority; it's about being fully present with clients, creating lasting connections, and leaving a profound impact. I've discovered that my meditation practice and engagement in art enable me to maintain a state of unwavering "Presence" during interactions with clients. However, like any endeavor, it comes with its own set of challenges, particularly when back-to-back sessions demand exceptional focus and resilience.
In my professional journey, I've had the privilege of collaborating with individuals from diverse disciplines, spanning engineering, product management, QA, directors, and marketing. This exposure has enriched my ability to connect with people from varying backgrounds, underscoring the importance of forging authentic connections.
As I reflect on my coaching experiences, the element of "Impact" emerges as a beacon of growth. I've consciously incorporated deeper, thought-provoking questions, humor, and candidness in coaching sessions, especially with clients I've worked with for an extended period. My aim is to foster an environment that nurtures learning and delivers genuine coaching experiences, both for individuals and teams.
While the journey has been marked by accomplishments and growth, I'm keenly aware of areas for improvement. There's a constant drive to enhance the "Impact" aspect further, to connect even more deeply and provide sincere guidance that genuinely transforms lives.
Additionally, I'm eager to continue honing my "Authority" skills by conducting personal coaching sessions and deepening my collaboration with Mento. The goal is to gain a deeper understanding of my clients' challenges and provide unwavering support that propels them toward their goals.
Yet, as I navigate the intricate world of coaching, I've come to acknowledge my penchant for setting high standards, both in my professional and academic pursuits. This realization has led me to understand how these standards can impact my ability to savor the learning process in all facets of life.
Moreover, I've become increasingly conscious of the mounting stress that accompanies the rigors of academic and work commitments, particularly since the onset of Term 2. My mission is to explore strategies that alleviate this stress and ensure a balanced and sustainable approach to my coaching practice.
In this moment, I pause to celebrate the successful culmination of my summer coaching sessions and the proactive pursuit of new clients. It's a gratifying experience to witness many of these clients continuing their journeys into Term 2. Each connection forged and every role I play in their development is a reason for celebration.
Lastly, I extend heartfelt gratitude to my family for their unwavering support throughout this coaching program. Their encouragement serves as a constant source of inspiration and reminds me of the profound impact that can ripple through the coaching process.
Join me in this exploration of growth, presence, and influence in the realm of professional coaching. Together, we'll uncover the lessons, challenges, and triumphs that define this transformative journey.
Wynne
Hartog, M. (2019). Chapter 26: Becoming a team coach. In D. Clutterbuck, J. Gannon, S. Hayes, I. Iordanou, K. Lowe, & D. MacKie (Eds.). The Practitioner's Handbook of Team Coaching. New York: Routledge, pp. 365-367.