Time for Coaches to Take Care of Themselves First
You cannot imagine how many times I started writing this post.
The Universe continually directing me away from my usual entrepreneur bent and back to the current situation of the “new normal” life of living in the midst of an uncertain world. A world of pandemics, civil unrest, social injustice, climate change and poverty to name but a few of the huge challenges we face each and every day.
I was concerned that perhaps this might be too much and looking like what our front-line workers are calling “COVID fatigue”.
And then I realized this needed to happen. I needed to write about how we as coaches needed to take care of ourselves as well as our clients.
So, let’s get to it!
After all, this is a world in crisis!
No sugar coating this.
And remember that this is not our first crisis.
The big difference is that now the world has coaches in their midst who are ready to partner with people to help them navigate the barrage of challenges.
But it is not without its toll on us coaches as well as our clients.
Having just proofread the coming issue of choice Magazine about COVID, the writers wrote not only about how the clients are impacted and how coaches need to be ready for them, but also the impact on coaches themselves due to this new reality. They offered a constant reminder to us coaches that we too are affected by these same challenges. We too are a part of this tumultuous world and not separate and apart. Alone sometimes yes, but still a part of it.
The big difference now is that we have ALL been, or still are, alone in some way shape or form.
So how do we have empathy and compassion, and still be ready to coach others through chaos?
How do we have empathy and compassion for ourselves?
The writers gave regular reminders to breathe, take time for ourselves, do our own work, and remember, not to take it personally.
To remember that we also have families and friends, both near and isolated, as well as those clients that are in a whirlwind of uncertainty. Clients who are not sure how long they will have a job let alone having to suddenly work in this strange new 100% virtual working world.
We need to be ready to coach in a new and different way. Coaching during a crisis is much different than the “old” run of the mill coaching for effectiveness, success, goals and performance.
Our clients need to learn a new skill set. How to be a leader through a crisis. How to be vulnerable when the world is spinning out of control.
This is a time when really sticking to the ICF Core Competencies is needed, perhaps essential and more now than ever. Yet this could very well be harder than ever to stick with.
Being fully present when perhaps we too are affected by the same challenges our clients are struggling with.
Having to manage our empathy and compassion such that it is still there but does not get in the way.
Please take some time to take care of yourself.
Look at what you need to be available to others.
How does that saying go … you can’t give if your bucket is empty?
Garry Schleifer, PCC
Garry Schleifer, PCC, is a seasoned businessman bringing over 30 years of experience to his coaching. His “walk the talk” credentials draw from experience as the visionary behind several multimillion-dollar corporations. He is the owner and publisher of choice, the magazine of professional coaching (an ICF Media Partner); a past president of the ICF Toronto Chapter and a former ICF Global Board vice president. Garry has also served on several community-based boards. He lives with his husband Patrick in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
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