Even though Thanksgiving here in the US is almost a month away, I’ve been thinking about the things I’m grateful for. I’m grateful that the IAC has celebrated its tenth anniversary. I’m grateful for everything we’ve contributed to this marvelous profession. I’m grateful for the persistence and resilience that keeps the IAC strong. And I’m grateful to be a coach.
I recently had a wonderful interview with Shirley Anderson and heard great stories about her earliest connection to Thomas Leonard – pre-Coach U, the creation of the ICF, CoachVille and the IAC. I hope that you’ll have as much fun listening to it here as I had speaking with Shirley. It was clear why she became a coach. Ask a coach why they coach and you’re likely to get an answer along the lines of, “It’s what I was meant to do” or “I felt like I’d come home.” It feels as much a calling as it does a profession. Yes, it requires a skill set. Of course, for me that would be the Masteries™. It requires more, though. It requires drive and a particular mindset.
Resilience is something I’ve been thinking about a lot lately. It was clear in her comments that Shirley is a resilient woman. It’s one of the seven factors that I’ve found supports the creation of healthy and successful lives in the fifty women over fifty that I’ve interviewed. It’s something, I think, that we help our clients achieve. It’s also a quality that is present in every successful coach I’ve met along the way.
Think about your own coaching. There are times I come away from a call practically dancing. And there are times I’m so drained that I can barely move. Still, I answer the phone when the next call comes in. And I know that you do, too. Why?
Mark McGuinness writes about this in Resilience: Facing Down Rejection and Criticism on the Road to Success. He talks about wanting something badly enough to endure whatever hardships come with your choice. He’s talking about pushing for success. I see this more as having passion for your profession. Here’s a partial list of factors he sees as driving passion:
Generosity – helping others survive, thrive, and achieve all they can be
Achievement – extending the limits of what’s humanly possible
Knowledge – adding to the store of human knowledge about ourselves and the universe
Joy – enjoying life and giving pleasure to others
Wisdom – understanding what’s truly important: how to live a good life.
All of these speak to me, and I see them reflected in the work of the coaches I meet. As you read the list, how many resonate with you?
This is a short message. Next month, I’ll be wrapping up the year – and my presidency – with a look back and a look forward to the team that will carry the IAC forward. I’ll leave you with one more link. For those of you who want more of Shirley, she hosts a call three Mondays a month. Here’s how to find out more: Coaching Salon free call 1st 3 Mondays each month 610-214-0000, code 1050958#, 2 pm Eastern time. Subscribe to Salon emails here.
Warmly, Susan
Dr. Susan R. Meyer, MMC is President of Susan R. Meyer, Coaching and Consulting. As a Life Architect, she helps wise and wild women construct a joyful life, provides executive coaching and instills a coaching approach to leadership for organizational success. www.susanrmeyer.com.
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