Imagine someone saying that a kindergarten teacher is like a babysitter... I'll just let that sit there for a minute. A babysitter...
Not only is that comment wrong, it is also ridiculously insulting. I recently had someone misconstrue coaching in a similar way. In the moment I was dumbfounded and speechless. By the next day, I was mad. Spitting mad. I imagined all the clever retorts I would unleash on them if I could just go back. I have to be honest, it felt good to simmer in self-righteousness indignation for few days. But eventually that got tiring. So, I decided to do my own little part in helping people understand this new profession. Truly, coaching as a profession is in its infancy when you compare it to, say, psychologists or teachers. Don't get me wrong, there is a large body of research out there that supports the why of coaching. But as an industry, most of the general public is still trying to figure out what the heck its all about. So, I spent most of my winter "break" developing an FAQ for coaching, one that would hopefully help people better understand what the heck this coaching thing is - and isn't.
The best coaches are masters of asking questions. On a basic level, they use them to gather information and understand what you’re grappling with. On a deeper level, they use them to help you see problems from different angles, and find better ways to solve them. Just like great therapists, effective coaches nudge you toward breakthroughs not by providing you with answers, but by helping you see situations through new eyes.
During my break, I also spent a considerable amount of time doing some values mining of my own. And from that, I have decided to offer 3 months of coaching to 3 individuals looking to make a change in their personal or professional life. For Free.
I coach via Zoom so we do not have to be in close proximity. One caveat, I do not coach children. That is a very special niche with its own skills and training. If that is what you are interested it, let me know and I can refer you to a colleague.
So how do you get 3 months of coaching, For Free? Leave a comment on this blog or share on FB/LinkedIn that responds to this prompt:
2020 is the year I will... (fill in the blank)
I will start. 2020 is the year I will be BOLD for my business, and GENTLE with myself.
I will use a random number generator and contact the 3 lucky people on Monday, January 20th.