I've sat through thousands of conversations helping people see themselves more clearly – as a recruiter, as a manager, som bollplank. Utan att någonsin kalla det för coaching. I måndags gjorde jag det officiellt: jag startade min ICC coach certification, via Unestål Education och Lambent-metodiken.
The start of the course
Elaine and Lars-Erik Unestål led the first day. Two trainers who have spent an entire career on mental training and performance, long before coaching became a buzzword in business. I joined digitally, course binder in my lap, and quickly realized this wouldn't be a course I could get through on experience and social skills alone. It requires a craft I actually have to practice.
The difference between advice and coaching
Den största insikten kom snabbt: som konsult är jag van vid att komma med svar – analysera, rekommendera, leverera en lösning. Coaching är motsatsen. Jag ska hjälpa klienten att hitta sitt eget svar, även när jag själv tror att jag vet bättre. Det är en muskel jag knappt har använt förut, och den gjorde ont redan dag 1.
Practicing what I ask of others
One of the day's exercises forced me to be honest with myself, in a way I've asked hundreds of clients to be over the years without really understanding how uncomfortable it actually is. It's easy to ask others to be honest with themselves. Harder to do it yourself, without rounding off toward whatever feels comfortable. Book tip from the day: Marie Strömer. Already downloaded.
The compass rose
I have a compass rose tattooed on my arm. It reminds me that I was once lost myself and found my way back – no one gave me the answer; I had to point it out myself. That's exactly the feeling I want to be able to give to others now, with a structured craft behind it instead of just experience and gut feeling. I'll be sharing more from the course as I go – what I'm learning about myself, what challenges me, and what I bring into my work with leaders and organizations.
If you have thoughts, questions, or just want to talk something through – feel free to reach out. I'm always happy to have an initial conversation with no agenda.
Right person. Right place. Everything changes.