So far, I’ve focused on the importance of the:
- Spiritual: Discern the will of the Father, helping those you coach to do the same
- Relational: Value the other person
- Personal: Embrace your unique contribution
- Interpersonal: You can’t want something for someone else more than they want it for themselves
- Inspirational: Help people tap into their creativity
- Intellectual: Challenge for clarity
- Analytical: Analyze to Energize
- Practical: Travel the high road high road to Confidentiality
This week I shift focus to your development as a coach.
Lesson #9 – Coach Development
Most leaders I know have committed themselves to their personal development. Committed yes! But moving from commitment to action is a bridge that is challenging for leaders to cross.
Let me unpack this a bit.
It is one thing to attend a conference. It is another to take an idea from the conference and implement. For instance, have you ever attended an event and listened to amazing experts on a topic? Felt inspired to take action “as soon as you return” to your office. But when that inspiration is confronted with reality – reality will challenge, frustrate and many times beat the inspiration out of you until it becomes a faint memory.
That “conference high” has dissipated until it has become a mere sputter. The question lingers in the back of your mind – “Why?”.
- Why can’t you push through the invisible wall?
- What is missing for you to take action?
- How can you harness the energy to break-through?
Making space in your life for your coach development is like this. Over the last 30 years this has been an ongoing challenge that I have taken seriously. I have committed to certain events and practices that have served me well. Here are a couple that I would recommend:
This is not an exhaustive list, but each has contributed to my development with good information. The challenge is what do you do with that good information? Let me suggest one idea. Beginning in October, InFocus is launching the InFocus Collective.
- The first Collective is for leaders, catalyzing church multiplication in a region. We are coming alongside leaders who want to increase the health and capacity for multiplying leaders, groups and churches to the next level. You can receive more information by clicking here.
- The second Collective is for disciple-makers, catalyzing disciple-making movements. We are coming alongside leaders who want to increase the health and capacity for disciples making disciples. You can receive more information by clicking here.
Just one very simple, but practical way for you to take the information you have learned from various events, books and webinars to a more practical place.
Back to the topic of coach development. If you don’t take responsibility for your development – who will?
Here are five reflections on how to determine where you need to focus in your personal development:
- What action have I taken in the last 30-90 days for my coach development?
- What plan am I following in the next 30-90 days for my coach development?
- What steps would I like to take in the next 30-90 days in my coach development?
- What are the repercussions, if I don’t take these steps in the next 30-90 days for my coach development?
- What good intentions have I gleaned from events, books and webinars in the last 30-90 days will I move to a practical place?
Finally, your development as a missional coach will determine your fruitfulness long-term.
- I appreciate the following quote:
“If you are under the impression you have already perfected yourself, you will never rise to the heights you are no doubt capable of.” Kazuo Ishiguro, The Remains of the Day
When it comes to coach development, if you do not take responsibility – who will?
