Came across this post just after we had a virtual session, as part of ICF Approved ACTP Coach Training, where we discussed ‘Discovery/Chemistry Session’ with a new client and also a few ICF Coaching competencies. ‘Nothing is a coincidence’!
‘Coaching is an intimate process…’ Can’t agree more.
‘Your personal story is the connective tissue that bonds you with your client…’ Trust, agreement, confidentiality, forms a good foundation of a coaching engagement. Hence it depends on how much the coach is real, open and authentic. Also at a level where it does not overwhelm the client.
My thoughts:
- What is the story that scares you the most to tell? My biggest failure at work (over 21 yrs) is the scariest of all!
- Why are you here to help? Borrowing a line from a great poet, ‘came to help, remained to co-create’ (incl to praise, finding strength in client)
- Did you make it about them? It has to be about the coachee. If it is about me, the coach, it comes with ego.