Doing life coaching sessions with Karen really turned me on to the idea that it is something I could actually do as well.
People have told me that I’m a good listener and that I often have wise/good advice to give when asked.
So, when a friend of mine said he was taking coaching classes in Dubai, I became curious! After looking at the CTI site for Dubai and thinking for a while, I decided to go for it. It’s a bit of an investment and given that I’m still paying for my PhD, it’s a little crazy; however, I didn’t want to wait until I finish the PhD to get started. My thinking is that I will be finished with both around the same time and that will fortify my qualifications in the direction of leadership, leadership training and possibly executive coaching.
It is a 5-course program with an opportunity to get certified through a 6-month long certification process at the end. So, it’s a ‘long-ish’ journey, but if the beginning is anything like the rest of it – it’s going to be A-mazing!
The first course happened this past weekend (thus, no posts), and was an intense 2.5 days. The other courses are 3 full days. So, I headed to Dubai on Thursday afternoon and got started on the Fundamentals course.
It is hard to describe it in its entirety, but there were 23 other participants, two leaders and two assistants. By the time we finished on Saturday, it was as if we had all become family and connected on a level that usually takes years to develop between friends. I actually cried in front of these people!!! What, the what?! π
On top of the bond, I learned sooooooo much. Even though I am a good listener and can give wise advice, this is such a small part of the entire idea of coaching. Most people, like me, went in thinking coaching was all about me and how I can help others through me. However, it’s not about me at all! We learned just the beginning of skills that focus all attention on the other person (client) and how to help him or her to reach his/her own amazing potential and to see/own it for themselves. This is empowerment.
There’s so much more to learn and develop, but mostly I need practice! Good thing I’ve got a few people lined up, which I feel quite blessed about.
Our model is called Co-Active. This means that doing ‘both/and’ being as a person work together to make us whole, alive in the now, sees all as natural, creative, resourceful and whole and evokes transformation (did that sentence make sense?).
For me, holding people as “BIG” (sees all as …) was the most challenging given how much I tend to dislike or trust people. However, I was reminded of the feelings I get when I see people unite, like in standing ovations, and it is this amazing feeling that I need to hold for all people. With that belief and attitude, my perspective changes and I can see each person as beautiful, amazing and full of wonderful potential.
So, in a way, it’s like a spiritual awakening, but one that is not about me at all. It’s all about the people in this world, which is going to take some time to sink in fully.
My next course isn’t until April due to scheduling and my breaks, but I can’t wait! I’m also thinking about so many possibilities with this. π
-T
