Be A Sovereign Coach. The pathway to foster breakthrough thinking and client creativity begins with you. Part 1 of 4
I am uncertain when it started, the voice in my head that asked the question, “What do I do that creates a positive impact for my clients?” It’s a bit like a dream that keeps returning each night and I can’t quite remember the whole sequence and grasp the meaning. However, I am an innovator in my core and tenacious in exploring and understanding human consciousness. The question inspires me to reflect deeply, heighten awareness and invite a new relationship with my work. Like any curious adventurer, part of the pleasure is in sharing the discoveries and that is the purpose with this Expert Series contribution.
Most of my adult development, particularly in a professional setting focused on being smart, competent, prepared and adaptive in order to respond to the needs and wants of others – the boss, colleagues, customers, and community. When I discovered coaching in the early 90’s I was startled to discover an approach 180 degrees opposite. If I had not had an early and extraordinary experience of applying to coaching to a large-scale change initiative in an organization, I probably wouldn’t be here to write this article. Now, thousands of hours of coaching experience later I am humbled every day by the magnificent breakthroughs I witness and attend with clients in my role as a coach. Truthfully, this did not happen in the beginning. Clients made progress and reported satisfaction and I felt proud and inspired to do more and learn more. My thirst for understanding about what produces trust and intimacy for risk-taking that unleashes client potential led to an important discovery. The key was and is within me.
The key is being ME – My Essence, being independent and in charge of the relationship I choose with the conditions of my life. This is a state of being sovereign. In choosing to be sovereign I act with integrity and response agility in every domain of my life. Perspective, action and ultimately beliefs and values are congruent and aligned. The more I inhabit my personal sovereignty, the more I perceive and invite my clients to do the same. The outcome is bold, evocative engagement with clients that allows for purposeful and effective coaching.
In this four-part series I invite you to be with the same question, “what do you do that creates a positive impact for your clients?”
Allow an extra five or ten minutes after a client session to listen internally – or talk to yourself out loud if that feels more useful — seeking an answer to the question.
Notice, that paired with actions or behaviors, you discover a mindset with associated beliefs and maybe even values. The mindset you perceive is actually a state of being that is equally if not more important than the chosen actions. Jot some notes and, over time, review across clients to see patterns of choices you make.
What is unique to your way of being that motivates client choices most positively?
What actions as coach supported your client to generate breakthrough thinking and foster creativity?
These activities start to identify your current way of coaching and declaring this matters a lot as a starting point for learning. I will share my discoveries as options for development on the path toward personal mastery; choices for action and choices for being. Retain your own compass, experimenting with what resonates and ignites you.
Until the next installment, happy coaching!
About the Author:
Janet M. Harvey, ICF Master Certified Coach, Certified Mentor Coach, Accredited Coaching Supervisor, ICF Global Past President, and ICF Foundation Board President, has 30 years of experience as both a corporate and entrepreneurial business executive. An early adopter for creating a coach-centered workplace, Janet has worked with global organizations and teams of leaders within to establish a generative, resilient and high-performance culture through a coaching approach to leading and managing success. Janet Harvey brings her executive and entrepreneurial experience as CEO for inviteCHANGE, leaders in sustainable excellence through a signature transformative coaching and learning process for people, processes and systems. Clients and audiences around the globe speak of Janet as bold, curious, provocative, challenging, yet respectful and compassionate in her leadership roles.
The Expert Series is brought to you by choice Magazine as part of our ongoing efforts to bring opportunities for learning and growth to the coaching community. Delivered in four parts every two weeks, each series covers useful topics for business development and coaching insights, serving the needs of leaders in all areas and walks of life. Archived copies of the previous series can be found here.
