Recently, my experiences have tended to highlight just how many people are affected – and deeply – by our current economic climate. The number of people with whom I have direct connections, for example, who are without work has grown significantly in the last six months and this number includes highly talented individuals. The number of people in work who watch the possibility of redundancy advancing and receding… and advancing again… is also growing. The number of coaches I talk to whose income has gone down and who are at risk of losing heart is also growing. And this is before we look to our colleagues across Europe and around the world and begin to consider their experiences.

It would be easy to respond in ways that reinforce a sense of downward spiral and, at the same time, I am curious to connect with, immerse myself in and contribute to the “good news”. I write today to ask you what you see as the good news in our current economic climate and to share some perceptions of my own:

• Perhaps the ultimate good news is that our current economic cycle is just that. As much as the downturn brings bad news for a number of industries, challenging them to reform or else to slowly fade away (and even suddenly disappear), there are other sectors whose moment has come. One of these is the green energy sector. What other sectors do you notice which are poised to lead us out of recession?

• I notice that our current climate favours those who are able to step back and take the long view, and those who are emotionally resilient, purposeful and highly adaptable. It’s not just that these are the people who are in demand amongst employers. It’s also that these are the people who are able to spring back with or without the support of an employer. Who are the people who are best adapted to maintain their equilibrium, to find their way through and to contribute to our progress?

• I begin to see a welcome shift in the conversations going on around me, which some might view as paradoxical. It seems to me that the more job loss and business failure seems possible for us all, the more we feel able to share and talk with others about our concerns and the less people take things personally. I observe more people reaching out for help and support and more people coming forward to provide it. I wonder what you observe in the dialogue that surrounds you?

• Finally, my experience of the recession of the late 80s/early 90s suggests to me that recession brings with it opportunities for renewal and reform and this in turn carries with it the possibility that the world will be a better place following the recession than it was before it. I wonder, what do you see as the welcome reforms that this recession is bringing, might bring or “ought” to bring with it?

And finally and because I am a coach I notice my curiosity is aroused in relation to coaching and the recession. Perhaps two fundamental questions are these: who is most in need of coaching right now? And who is most likely to invest in coaching? And a third question is this: who are the people who are both likely to benefit from coaching and ready to pay for it?

I am also curious about the questions – and answers – that come up for you as you read this posting. And also about the sources of information and comment that spring to mind as you read this posting.  Please leave your comments below.