Discussing decision-making strategies with my clients has, over time, brought my own strategies sharply into focus. Over time I’ve learnt that I make some of my best decisions at the time when they just feel right. It’s not that these decisions are rooted in feeling alone. Rather, this “feels right” moment is often the time when, after much thought, all objections have been satisfied and it’s time to go ahead.
In recent weeks I’ve been a little surprised as one decision starts to feel right. This is the decision to train as a coaching supervisor and to start proactively to offer coaching supervision. It’s not that I didn’t see it coming – even when I embarked on my professional coach training I anticipated that this might be on my forward path. Rather, I didn’t see it coming quite so soon.
By the time I reach the decision the surprise has started to give way to a wry recognition. Wasn’t it always true (well before I became a coach) that people sought me out for mentoring and supervision? This was the kind of role I attracted as a consultant on projects or informally at the request of colleagues. And isn’t it true that such roles continue to seek me out – to tap me on the shoulder – now that I am a coach? It’s the recognition of all sorts of invitations – to act as mentor to coaching colleagues or as lead coach on projects, for example – that bring a dawning realisation that I was always ready to supervise and others were equally ready for me.
What is coaching supervision? Of course, this is something I have decided to explore. For now, though, I see it as a process whereby a coach (or coaches) take time away from coaching to reflect on his or her work and to further his or her development as a coach. As such, the coach’s decision to invest in regular coaching supervision offers some reassurance for the client. As I write I think of the lone practitioner coach, of coaches working in house, of coaches working in teams, of “manager coaches”… and I look forward to working with them all.
Today I have my interview with Colin Brett as part of the process of agreeing to train in coaching supervision with Coaching Development. The interview, by telephone, is both thought-provoking and comfortable. It is not so much a harsh test of my readiness to supervise as a gentle exploration of what lies ahead and how I might prepare. And as we talk I become aware of new layers of emotion that reinforce my decision. For it’s one thing to be quietly aware of my decision and another thing entirely to share it. And as I share it, and let the emotion rise – share it even – I become aware of just how much my decision is a coming home.
I look forward to my training in 2010.