What’s at the Core? Evaluation, Growth, and the Masteries as a Framework
As we move into June I am in the midst of dualities. For me, that’s an interesting and also comfortable place to be. I am winding down my spring coaching contracts, evaluating the clients’ progress and gearing up – planning for a new group in September.
My clients are reporting growth, although for many, it isn’t the growth we were anticipating. Super Storm Sandy has had lingering effects, so many are still dealing with chaos in the workplace, increased stress levels and many characteristics of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. It makes me thankful for the Masteries. Engaged listening (Mastery 3) has, of course, always been the basis of our conversations, as has clarifying (Mastery 6). In times of crisis, I am grateful for processing in the present (Mastery 4). It reminds me to keep focused on the situation and not let my thoughts – or the client’s – wander into a morass of “what if’s” and helps them concentrate on getting today’s work done despite the many obstacles of displacement. No, you don’t have your directory or files or maybe even a telephone: How do you keep doing what needs to be done? I am delighted to be more focused than ever on helping the client set and keep clear intentions (Mastery 7), inviting possibilities (Mastery 8) and helping the clients create and use supportive systems and structures (Mastery 9).
Yes, the Masteries have always shaped my coaching. What I’m seeing more and more, though, is how the Masteries shape everything. Natalie Tucker Miller often says that the Masteries can serve as a framework for our lives, and I’m seeing that more every day. The Masteries helped me guide my clients in creating order and calm in chaos. The feedback I’ve received about their coaching experience make the power of the Masteries beautifully clear to me.
Learning Opportunities
In May, I had a wonderful conversation with Dr. Doris Helge that has been added to our Master Coach collection. You can listen here. I always enjoy speaking with Doris and hearing her speak about her coaching philosophy was a delight. If you would like to learn from Doris on a regular basis, you should join our New Coach Virtual Chapter. I’m looking forward to our next interviews, facilitated by Kristi Arndt. She’s hoping to speak with Julia Stewart and Shirley Andersen. Julia founded our other virtual chapter. You can check it out here.
By the time you read this, we will be on the eve of Leadership Masteries – The New Mantras. We are working with IAC Vice President Krishna Kumar, who has organized this event, to arrange live feed and will forward details if we are successful. Not only will this be a rare opportunity to hear from Sir John Whitmore, but it will also be an opportunity to learn from distinguished IAC leaders including Krishna Kumar, Nigel Cumberland, Bonnie Chan and Teo Jin Lee. Trust me, you’ll want to be able to say “I knew them when ….”
I spent three wonderful days at the seventh Conversation Among Masters in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin. Despite snow storms elsewhere in the state, we had mild weather and lots of sunshine. The conversations, especially with Sam Horn, were incredible and thought-provoking and the IAC was well received as a sponsor and there were many questions about the Masteries. I’m hoping to report two exciting member benefits in the next few months as a result, and we acquired a few new members on the spot. It was wonderful to spend time with IAC members including Kristi Arndt, Aileen Gibb and Yorum Gordon. Here’s the group picture, if you’re curious. Next year, the event will be in San Diego.
Later this month, Aileen Gibb, Natalie Tucker Miller, Krishna Kumar and I will be presenting a session entitled Four Leadership Mantras and Nine IAC Masteries – Coaching the New Leadership Mode as part of the third WBECS event. We will make the slides available to you so that you can see how we’ve used the framework of the Masteries to inform our thinking about Enlightened Leadership, Timeless Leadership, Lateral/Vertical Leadership and Awakened Leadership.
Over the next few months, in addition to the Members’ Benefits webinars, we will offer webinars on topics of interest to coaches. If there is a topic you’d like to hear more about – or would like to present – please let me know. You can reach me at president@certifiedcoach.org.
As always, supporting you in your path towards coaching mastery.
Susan
Susan R. Meyer, MMC is President of Susan R. Meyer, Coaching and Consulting and of Life-Work Coach. She provides personal and executive coaching and facilitates seminars on topics including life planning, emotional intelligence, leadership development, communication, and coaching skills for managers. www.susanrmeyer.com.
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