Being the Coach in Me!

A little more than seven weeks old, is the budding coach in me this day,

This journey is bound to pave an enlightening unexplored path my way,

I learnt how “Not to Know” and behold the judging temperament,

And imbibe the ethics of being a coach as inevitable and permanent!

How coaching is not mentoring, or counselling or therapy,

And is not meant to be a guiding light or some advisory!

It’s deep learning about myself and partnering with another,

Through a creative process, engage and together we discover.

Through the art of powerful questioning that is open and non-leading,

As a coach to remember, I am here to support the clients while they do all the thinking,

Me as a coach will lend all ears without any judgments that could encroach,

The process that is client centric and not configured for the coach!

While being aware of own spree of thoughts that could create an intrusion,

I learnt to demonstrate my composure while recognizing client’s emotion,

Establishing trust and making the client feel safe throughout the conversation,

I ensure that the client opens up and shares without any hesitation!

Establishing agreement, creating awareness and help discover an action,

Letting the client think for himself for the most feasible solution,

Assisting his thought process with the power of an open-ended question,

Letting silence and pause take over at the right time for reflection!

All the above are not some standards or rules to be followed,

These are inherent competencies and not the notes to be swallowed,

Be reflecting upon my competing commitments, I’m trying to overcome my Immunity to Change,

By diminishing my overpowering self, I am allowing my true self to embrace a wider range!

In the journey of becoming a coach, I’m becoming myself’ s better version,

Free of chains of judgements for self and other, free of assumption and perception,

I feel empowered being more self-aware, discovering the hidden me,

Refining self in each thought and expression that supports the client’s discovery!

Maintaining presence in word and spirit for facilitating client’s growth,

As a learning coach, I internally and deeply confer this oath,

To recognize and never let, own conflicting interests constrain,

If it happens so, from that engagement, I myself shall refrain.

Having said all above that I could, and leaving much more unsaid yet felt,

I express my deepest gratitude to my senior colleague who introduced me to this concept,

Of being able to transform self and relook into the ways we deal with people around,

As friends, as managers, as leaders and other roles, a dynamic approach I have found!

That triggers the human capabilities to perform to the fullest of potential,

Removing any interference from within and around keeping only what is essential,

More of patience, empathy and acceptance, within myself, more often now I see,

While seamlessly cherishing and growing in the journey of being the unique coach in me,

Being the Coach that is Me!

Author - Shruti Bajaj