Change has this amazing ability to bring phenomenal results to those that wish to embrace it as an opportunity to explore options in how we bring meaning to our work and our lives.
Coaching helps explore these options while supporting the “SHIFT” toward those events which bring meaning to our lives. Every coaching conversation I engage in reminds me of the challenges and human potential that lies within my clients. Balancing the ability to stay present and the inspiration of being invited to share the journey is truly a gift I cherish.
During a recent Coaching session, the client (coachee) identified the desire for change within the organization. Okay, I’m thinking…here we go. Coach hat on I say to myself, time to connect. You see, to embrace a client’s desire for change, a coach needs to support the client and develop a relationship that will permit an environment that ignites the client’s passion for change. This requires the ability to challenge the client with questions, metaphors, stories, a potential paradigm shift and self-reflection that help support the design and image the client sees for themselves. Obstacles as they say are road signs to direct us to our destination and we go after them relentlessly.
I came across the following quote many years ago during research for an organization in that wanted to improve customer excellence or as I like to say….wanted to create an engaging customer experience. The quote resonated with me as I asked and developed questions around the purpose of my work and the intent of the facilitation for this organization.
“A customer is the most important visitor on our premises. He is not dependent on us; we are dependent on him. He is not an interruption in our work; he is the purpose of it. He is not an outsider in our business; he is a part of it. We are not doing him a favor by serving him; he is doing us a favor by giving us an opportunity to do so. “ Mahatma Ghandi
When creating a shift and exploring change some questions that may help facilitate the conversation may show themselves as the following:
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As a result of this shift, how will know it was the right decision?
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What are you willing to compromise, walk away from or lose energy with to make this happen?
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What will need to change to ensure a smooth transition?
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What would balance do for you in your life right now?
- For you to make this shift successful who do you need support from?
As a coach, if I don’t challenge the conversation I am not supporting my client(s). As an organization or an individual, helping coach people toward their potential is the purpose of my work.
How do you find the purpose and meaning in your life? If change is constant as I continually read, it becomes even more important to align with and to inspire those that provide opportunities for us to serve. It is others that allow us to share our life’s work. After all…”SHIFT Happens”