I've worked in the HR environment for a long time; nearly 20 years in an employed role and 4 years self-employed and coaching has always been one of my preferred tools for engaging and empowering people to take responsibility for their own learning.
The role of a coach is to give you the time and space to think something through, sometimes challenging the inner voice that might be getting in the way, or assumptions you might be making. To keep you focussed without distraction on getting somewhere you weren't before with your thoughts, actions or behaviours. To untangle and make sense of your thoughts.
In employed roles, everyone knew who I was, so if I asked a clunky question or got lost a little in the conversation, it didn't matter too much. However, when self-employed, until the relationship is built, these things aren't quite so easily forgiven!
I talk a lot about continuous learning and development, it's what I love, so I should lead by example right?
Back in February, I enrolled myself on a coaching programme, to develop my own skills with the aim of being able to support and guide better than I had done before.
It's been a hugely beneficial programme and I still have two modules left to complete. Along the way, there has been confirmation of what I was doing right, recognition of some bad habits and incorporation of new knowledge.
Holding silence is a key skill for a coach and I'm pleased to say, I'm pretty good at this. What has tripped me up is my own thinking preference. I speak to think - it's part of my personality so I gather my thoughts out loud before asking you the next question...which can be distracting for you. I have some great new questions up my sleeve for when we might just need to take a breath and recentre, and the refreshers on theory and models are great; I'm seeing them through other people's eyes and that is bringing me a fresh perspective too.
So why am I telling you all this? Because there is no fairy dust or silver bullet or magic wand that will instantly change the way you think, feel or behave; it takes time, practice and reflection to start to see a difference.
And because we should never get complacent about the knowledge and skills we have - we can always learn more, be better and be different. I thought I was a pretty good coach but now I get to be a great one.