Intentional about Connecting the Coaching Dots

Connections -

Earlier this month, we celebrated the 20th International Coaching Week (ICW) on May 2, with a packed room of expert coaches, both entrepreneur and company coaches, as well as aspiring coaches from all disciplines. The event entitled "Building a Coaching Culture" indeed expounded on the important fundamentals of building a coaching culture and even included a round of speed networking and 30-second elevator pitches. The energy was intoxicating. As I listened to the seasoned and new coaches with all of their passion and excitement about clients, opportunities, innovative ways to coach and successes, I wondered about sustainment.  I am a visual learner and pictured the road to sustainment as dots on a journey map - with sustainment being the ultimate destination.

ICF Michigan members served as panelists for this conversation focused on building a coaching culture. Barry Demp, proclaimed 'Godfather of Coaching,' for us in the Michigan area, discussed the need to listen, ask good - no great questions, be authentic, push yourself and to know yourself. Others exclaimed the importance of gaining champions at work to build and sustain the function of coaching, gaining the trust of senior leaders by engaging them in a coaching opportunity, increasing their understanding, benefit and ultimately investment of a coaching partnership.  These make up the first series of dots on the connection map.

Development -

Though, most profound was the reminder to sustain yourself as a coach by getting a coach. Many seek coaches to complete their accreditation, but what about after that has been attained?  How do you know what it is like on the other side of the conversation?  How do you improve?

Coach Jan Martinez shared that coaching is like other esteemed professions and because the focus is on people it is all the more important to ensure coaches are well trained and tooled. As patients, we expect doctors and medical practitioners to stay abreast of and on top of their skills with current knowledge, innovation and cutting-edge practices. Same for a myriad of professions: lawyers, CPAs, even our gardeners. Would you expect your gardener to prescribe and treat your medical concern? No, but you do expect them to treat and mow your lawn with perfection.  Add these as the next three dots.

But, how did our medical providers, accountants and legal colleagues get their distinction? Through their practice, through their commitment to continuous learning, development and success, they know the key to their sustainment is fulfilled clients: made well through medical advice, restored through legal advice, and renewed through financial advice.  Four more dots on your map.

The Future -

As coaches we must view ourselves through the same lens as these esteemed professions. Andrea Fleischfresser said during the panel dialogue that we are operating on (like the doctor), providing business acumen (like the CPA) and forging future changes (like the lawyer). As a coach, we too are touching the most important commodity to mankind - and that is humankind. We are also shaping the future through those we coach. These are precious dots to connect.

Intentions -

I started this year off with an aspiring word, not resolution(s) to lead my year and it is 'Intentional'.  According to Merriam-Webster, intention is the determination to act in a certain way; a thing intended; an aim or a plan. A course of action that one plans to do or achieve.  

It has been my daily goal to be intentional in how I show up, to be authentic and to exchange the best possible light that I can, leaving each interaction and person, better. I am practicing going into each conversation, email and text with sincere intention on what I want out of it and what I can give. I see this as self-coaching. Setting my intention on improving myself, my days, weeks, months and this year.  Becoming a better version of me, a better family member, friend, colleague, leader, coach... intentionally.  These dots are precious to me, and makeup a significant part of my journey.

Resources -

Now, after the Coaching Connection forum I am further enlightened on my intentions to strengthen my practice, invest in more development, and ICF Michigan is a great resource with the monthly Experienced Coaches Forum and Core Competency webinars, Guest Speaker Series and Coaching Cafes.  I will build more connections through ICF Michigan and global, network at local chapter events: Society for Human Resources (SHRM), Association for Talent Development (ATD), and International Society for Performance and Improvement (ISPI) - learning, leveraging and sharing coaching resources.  I will get specific and clear about my coaching niche and brand as exquisitely informed by Milt Fletcher, esteemed coaching panelist, so that I can offer the best service and be the best servant in providing sound journey maps for the future.  The final dots that complete the journey and connect all dots is ICF Michigan, your local chapter.

We are almost halfway through 2019 - may you too be inspired in your journey this year. ICF Michigan is here to support you, visit us at https://icfmichigan.org