| A Thinking Partner Relationship
As executive coach and client, we will work in a partnership of mutual respect, engaged in a change process that is focused on your objectives. Success will depend on both of us. For you, it means accepting responsibility for personal learning, planning, focus and commitment, For me, as your coach, it means being creative, acknowledging, supportive and challenging, and accountable for helping you attain your objectives. Effective dialogue is the format for the relationship. It is defined by the critical elements of trust, openness, sincerity, honesty and integrity. The term "openness" is important to define. It entails seeing one another as natural beings, free of the mask we often wear and the hidden agendas we often possess. Without those pretenses, our relationship will be free of judgment and fear. At all times my focus -and only agenda- will be to support you. Your expression of your expectations and whether they are being met is encouraged as part of the feedback for shared learning to occur. Throughout the coaching experience, we will be moving within the realms of both a structured learning and change process and the world of artful expression, where we can express our true feelings, e.g.,fears, joys, perceptions and dreams. Understanding the Present Can a journey begin if we don't know where we are? Because this journey is not taken alone we, as coach and client, must first achieve a mutual understanding of our present perceptions. We do this through effective dialogue. To understand your perceived present, I will be curious, searching for greater meaning and context of the subject you have chosen to explore. Through a process of questioning and listening, I will attempt to understand your place being -as though I walk in your shoes. Only once that is understood can we explore how the present might be perceived differently. This understanding includes an appreciation of the various gifts you possess and an acknowledgement of how they are instrumental to seeing oneself in a new light. Seeing the present differently is about challenging assumptions, perceptions and beliefs, and introducing what else might be at play -a system thinking approach. The Desired Future From a new reality, the possibilities of what might be different are explored and shaped into a destination or goal. The desired future, defined in realistic attainable terms and connected to the present, becomes the motivation for taking responsibility for new learning. At times I may hold up this image as a reminder of what we seek in order to retain our focus and commitment. The Journey The connection between present and future are the action steps (change process) chosen by you and supported by me. Each step will bring new challenges, successes to be celebrated, failures to be learned from, and tests to one's resolve. In the final analysis success will be defined not only by what was accomplished but by what was learned. My Statement of Personal Ethical Practice As a coach: I acknowledge and accept the ethical responsibilities placed on me by my client and the International Coach Federation (ICF). I declare that throughout my professional and business career, relationships dependent on trust, I have never breached nor broken any confidentiality agreements nor acted in any manner to the detriment of my client. I agree to conduct myself in accordance with the ICF code of ethics as published on their website www.coachfederation.org. I further acknowledge a professional responsibility to be completely open and honest with my client, saying what needs to be said from an agenda committed only to helping you achieve your goals. At no time is it my intention to communicate in an offensive, demeaning or discriminating manner. Summary: The following poem may provide another perspective. The Coaching Mirror "Where other disciplines hold up models to define their belief of what is right, a coach holds up a mirror. Where others tell of a future that may be more about them than you, a coach embraces both you and your dream. Where others may push and direct you through a machine-like process, a coach walks beside you and gives guidance when asked. While others dwell in a world of no choosing, a coach nurtures hope for a world of your choice." Written by: John Dudek | ||
| For all enquiries please contact: john@borealcoaching.com |
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| For all enquiries please contact: john@borealcoaching.com |
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| < Return to Boreal Coaching homepage | ||