Authentic and Courageous
Are you courageous and authentic enough to really benefit from career coaching work? I am sometimes asked “Do You have to like your clients in order to coach well?”, and, this is a question that I find difficult to answer. Why do i find it difficult to answer? this is because in all the years I have been practising, I have never, ever disliked a client, a supervise or an organisation that I have worked with. This certainly does not mean that we have agreed on everything. Whilst I am able to put myself and my opinions aside in order to do work that is in service of the client, i will not put my ethics and values on hold. This is unsustainable working practise. This is shoddy role-modelling for those I support. I have to walk the walk I talk regarding ethical dilemmas that arise or questions I have about best practice and safe-guarding issues. I will always honour such curiosities because it is not safe to skate over the difficult bits.
I can clearly state that I always like the people i work with: This is not because i am a ‘lovely person who judges no-one’. I find I am able to connect connect with everyone because, whilst I am human and have my own set of internal biases, I am curious enough to seek the common ground. I am also secure enough in myself to enjoy exploring our differences. People do to leave my coaching carrying my set of values with them. People leave our coaching sessions having really explored their own values, beliefs and ethics. They leave these sessions fully cognisant of the real implications and value of their chosen way of perceiving the world. These people leave our work together full of the potency of knowing why they desire, and, how they can effect the changes they wish to see.
As coach and client we do not always have to agree to like each other. Some of the richest and life-changing relationships in life, work and career coaching are formed upon the platform of really lively debate. When individuals are courageous enough to bring their authentic selves to this work. When clients are resilient and brave enough to challenged and to explore their own motivations. This is when the most amazing shifts of self-recognition take place. When we know our internal landscape and our motives, we can achieve brilliance out in the world. I like brave people. thats all it takes, being brave enough to be real.
Explore here to learn more of career coaching with Rebecca and here to subscribe to her blog digest.