Khuram

Just imagine, the middle of a busy day, nothing is going quite right.  Two people have phoned in sick.  A Client has cancelled at the last minute and the payments you expected to protect your cash flow have not turned up.  And then, to crown it all, someone suggests you go for a walk!  Aargh – how crazy is that – but is it really?  If someone was to walk alongside you on this brisk stroll what would you talk about?   The things that have frustrated you today.  Well yes, you need to get that some of that off your chest and even try to figure out what you need to do about people who keep throwing sickies. Then as you walk along, and notice some of the foliage and hear the bird song, do you start to reflect on some of the big issues affecting your business and how you might approach them?

Often coaching sessions are described as imaginary walks with someone in whom you have complete faith and confidence.  However, that does not mean that all the coach will do is nod her head in agreement and make sympathetic noises about all your problems.  No, the coach’s role is to support and challenge you.  As a walking companion, the coach will sometimes ask difficult questions; ask you to look at the problem from another  angle and challenge you about whether you are really using your time wisely or whether you are wasting time indulging your frustrations rather than seeing  your big problems as “solutions in disguise”.

All this may seem a bit glib, but just imagine, being allowed to take time with someone you can really trust to examine what you are doing;  the potential for making things better and for you to have a greater impact and perhaps more fun too.  Imagine having the support to work out how you could really improve what you are doing.

The coach does not have the answers, you do.  The coach, like a good walking companion, goes along at your pace and ensures you are going in the direction of your choice and stick to that path to achieve the goals you pursue.  If you are really going to enjoy and get the full benefit of a walk, does the idea of a companion seem like a luxury or a necessity?  Likewise, do you think, as you look at your business, your own role and how effective you could be, you would regard your coaching time as an important investment rather than an additional luxury that you might begin some bright day when all these frustrating irritations disappear?

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(Copied and edited with permission from Maggie Cunningham – Former BBC Exec)