Helping people grow, develop and perform to their potential is a wonderful thing. In my years as both a TV Producer and News Manager, I would say it was by far the most rewarding part of my job.
Some people have a natural developmental bias. That means they are inclined towards helping others achieve their goals. There are many people that don’t have this bias. It doesn’t mean they are bad or selfish people they just don’t enjoy teaching, mentoring or coaching.
Coaching is about balancing your life and allowing your strengths to flow effortlessly
Last week, I decided to add to my years of experience by taking a coaching course. I chose a school called Adler which is affiliated with The University of Toronto. I chose it because I knew it had a great reputation and that it was challenging.
I was in a class with 14 other coaches. These were people from a wide range of work-backgrounds and experiences. Our task was to:
- fully and deeply listen to our clients
- ask thoughtful questions to help the client discover what they really wanted out of life
- identify the obstacles that kept them from getting there
- helped them devise a plan of action that was comfortable for them.
While this sounds simple it is not. First of all, each person is different and as a result no two coaching sessions will be the same. Secondly, the type of communication involved (deep listening and open questions) is something most of us don’t do a lot of at work or even in our social life.
The coaching sessions were real, meaning we were coaching each other. As a result, we had to work through actual issues and problems in our lives. This requires a willingness to be open and honest and answer some tough questions about yourself. There were many emotional moments, but through the support and confidentiality of the group we not only came to realizations about ourselves but also demonstrated the power of listening and explored the infinite resources each of us has to make our own lives better.
These powerful coaching tools do work. If you have an issue or obstacle to overcome in your personal life, relationships or career – coaching can help. It can also allow you find balance in the demanding, high pressured and fast-paced routine we now call our lives.
Coaching can be particularly beneficial for those living with chronic illness (such as arthritis, heart disease, diabetes, Crohn’s and colitis, asthma, MS, lupus and others) who want a fulfilling career, a balanced life and personal growth, but are slowed or challenged by their unpredictable health. Being coached by someone who has faced the same challenges can make a big difference.
Coaching can take place in person or over the phone. For more information on my coaching sessions, or to book a free no-obligation introductory session, please contact me at jason@sickwithsuccess.com
