Introduction
In 1998, Hong Kong superstar Jackie Chan acted in a movie called “Who Am I”, where he played the lead role of a Special Force Agent who lost his memory during a botched mission in Africa. The plot of the movie follows his journey, as he rediscovers his true identity, whilst being helped by different people he meets along the way. In true Jackie Chan fashion, the movie is action-packed, drama-filled, with a good measure of comedic laughs along the way. During the movie, there was a dramatic scene where he screams, “WHO AM I !?!!!” as the camera pans away, and he is subsequently given the name, “Who Am I?” by the local African tribesmen.
Who am I, really? And that’s the Big Question in life, isn’t it? I’m convinced that everyone asks this of themselves at some point of their lives, but few ever truly discover their answer. There is a deep void from within begging to be filled with the satisfaction of knowing one’s purpose. Much like the movie, it is my belief that Coaching is a vehicle that helps us shape and form an answer, and the Coach is the travel partner that comes alongside on this journey of discovery we call life.
The Perspectives of Coaching
So with such importance tied to Coaching, what is it exactly? “What is Coaching?” Well, without giving a forthright answer, here are several insightful perspectives to what Coaching could be:
#1. A Beautiful Dance.
– Coaching is like a beautiful dance, and the role of the Coach is to be the dance partner to the Client, dancing to their goals & dreams, and allowing them to take the lead. You could dance solo of course, but having a partner allows you to make dance moves you couldn’t do on your own.
#2. Walking to the Edge of the Cliff.
– Coaching is about Taking Risks. It’s about building a rapport between Coach & Client, so that there is trust and willingness to journey to the edge of a conversation together.
#3. A Road to Discovery.
– Coaching is like a Road Trip, and the Coach is your travel buddy. You’re on a leisurely drive and taking in the beautiful scenery along the way. It’s not just about the destination, but the treasures, experiences & conversations collected along the way.
#4. Holding Up a Mirror.
– The Client is not supposed to see the Coach, but a Reflection of themselves. The Coach does not present his own thoughts or ideas, but helps to reflect a different angle (a different perspective) the Client hasn’t seen before.
#5. Making A Shift.
– Like a Gear Shift in driving, Coaching helps the Client to make shifts in their narratives. At the right time, with the right push, the shift is made that alters the progress.
#6. Space. Endless Possibilities.
– The Coaching Relationship is a Personal relationship. We coach a Person, not an industry or profession. A Coach believes that the Possibilities of the Client is Endless and limited only by what’s within them.
#7. Celebration.
– Milestones play a part in the conditioning of our lives, and are seldom acknowledged, let alone celebrated. The Coach could be the only one celebrating the Client’s Breakthroughs and Milestones.
Building a Relationship
While it’s good to have an idea of what coaching is, it was great to see what different perspectives Coaching can be to different individuals at different stages of their journey. Ultimately, it’s about Building a Relationship between the Coach and the Client.
In the Coaching relationship, it is the Coach’s responsibilities to believe that the Clients are
1) Creative; 2) Resourceful; and 3) Whole.
They are NOT 1) In need of fixing; nor 2) Problematic; nor 3) In need of our help.
They have their answers from within themselves, and it is the Coach’s role to help them discover their own solutions.
Unlike Jackie Chan (thankfully), we do not need to accidentally lose our memories to begin our journey of discovery. We can start where we are. If ever you are feeling lost, stuck, or hopeless about your future, then engaging a Coach will help engage you on your way.
