Transformation
Coaching can be transformative, if you want it to be.
That doesn't mean that I, as the coach, can transform you. Only you can do that. But coaching is a great way for you to do it. It's not easy, but it's worth it.
Peter Hill, in Concepts of Coaching (2004), describes transformational coaching as "the most challenging" type of coaching. It happens where a person or organisation has "a clear vision of the future and wants to build a bridge from that vision to where they currently are".
Building a bridge takes a range of materials, people with different skills, and clear plans that are thoroughly tested. But once it is built, what a difference it makes. The place you want to reach becomes accessible.
Think about a change you have been wanting to make for a while. It might be going for a promotion, reorganising your team, learning a new skill, or even a major career change.
Many people dislike change. It is difficult, uncomfortable, especially when it is being "done to you". If it is a change that you want to make for yourself, you are likely to be strongly motivated to make it happen, but while you are busy getting on with the here and now, you might not be able to dedicate much time to thinking about and planning your change. It is so easy to let time drift by, making little or no progress. This time next year, will you still be thinking about making the change - or will it have happened?
There is a lot to think about and plan. What is your deadline? Make your own if there isn't one. How do you need to prepare yourself (e.g. financially) for the new situation? What resources and information do you need to gather? Who do you need to speak to? What steps do you need to take, and when? But also, how much do you really want the change to happen? What might the drawbacks or unintended consequences be? How can you mitigate these, and can you live with those you can't mitigate?
A programme of coaching gives you dedicated time to do your thinking and planning, with the added value of a coach to help you think and plan. A coach will make you think in new ways, explore your ideas, and help you focus on clear actions and timescales. It is amazing how much progress you can make, and how quickly, when you have that focus and structure.
In this way, you can build your bridge to the future you want, and make transformation happen.
Where do you want to be this time next year?
