Hello everyone! It’s been a while since I’ve posted so with the New Year in full swing, I felt it appropriate to start back up with my yearly resolution post (albeit a bit delayed). For the past 6 years, I have written a resolution post so its only natural to start here for 2018. If you would like to take a look at the posts from previous years, here they are:
As we all experience from time to time, some years bring more change and challenge than others. This past year was no exception and proved to be a time of challenge and growth for me. With that in mind, the resolutions this year are a mixture of personal and professional change. My hope is for others to be encouraged in my journey to grow as a coach.
So this year I am resolving to:
Learn to Unlearn. Over time, there is a tendency for people to hold tightly to their own solutions, point of views, and opinions. I admit to falling into this trap a bit myself. So in 2018, I am resolving to learn to unlearn.
As it turns out, my list of things to un-learn is lengthy but I’m up to the task. This un-learning can be challenging, actually painful at times, but I am finding it to be a refreshing and liberating place to be. I liken it to the fresh green growth emerging after a wildfire burn. The burning down of the old allows the space for something new and vibrant to grow in it’s place.
Make Things Even More Simple. Last year, I resolved to keep things simple and for this year, I’m doubling-down on that goal by trying to make simple even more simple. When it comes to coaching organizational transformations, starting from a position of extreme simplicity is always the best option.
Last spring, I had the opportunity to coach in South America with people who speak a different language than me. Attempting to coach via interpreters forced me to simplify my approach to agility and stretch myself even more than I ever thought possible.
Fewer words wrapped around simple mental models.
I recently watched a concert documentary called “Plain Spoken by John Cougar Mellencamp” on Netflix. Mr. Mellencamp’s voiceover at the beginning of the program lightening-bolted the concept of simplicity for me.
Keep it small. Always keep it small. But keep it going. Try to keep it as plainspoken as possible. Keep it vague, so people can include themselves in what you are saying, or what you’re singing, or what you’re painting. And don’t hit it on the nose. Don’t be too specific. If you’re too specific, it becomes exclusive only to you.
So…what does the “make things even more simple” resolution mean for my daily life as a coach?
Being small so others can be big.
When a coach, especially an outside coach, delivers an approach or statement it often becomes the truth or “final word.” You may have seen this phenomena or something similar…an employee makes a qualified statement and it is downplayed or discounted yet the very same statement delivered by an external coach has a tendency to be a final word. So I’m resolving to remove as much air of finality out of my interactions.
How can I do this?
By keeping things open ended…by being vague so others create their own experiences…by letting people finish my sentences…and by using question marks instead of periods. Instead of guiding groups where I think they should go, my role shifts to simply being a flint that creates the spark so they can have complete ownership of their own amazing journey. Sounds like fun to me!
Become a Source of Contagious Joy. The art of organizational change is hard work. I mean, really hard. By resolving to let go (unlearn) and simplify (remove finality), opportunities to bring joy and encouragement to people begin to leap out in front of me. So I am also resolving to take advantage of every new encounter as an opportunity to build up and strengthen those I am serving.
So that’s it. Fresh new posts are on the horizon for the rest of the year (and maybe a few podcasts). Have a blessed rest of 2018!
