HONOUR TIME (HIGH POINT)

 20220929 Web-Tutorial 25 

Key Idea: There are virtually limitless moments in a Coaching session for celebration and learning. The distance the Coachee has come and the step-by-step consistency of their growth are worth celebrating as well.

It has been 7 months and more since my 3rd child was born (22nd February or 22.02.2022) and it has been an absolutely crazy journey. We essentially have 3 girls under the age of 5, with 2 out of the 3 of them being poor sleepers. My wife and I have been sleep deprived ever since our first child was born, and it has been close to a miracle that I am able to make any of these Coaching class sessions at all. Most nights while I’m at class, my wife has had to bravely take all 3 to bed. Other times, I just brought the older 2 girls into the sessions with me (thank God for classes being online and the mighty mute button). Then at other times, my inlaws stepped in to the rescue. 

And now here we are, at our 25th module and very close to the finishing line. I absolutely would not have been able to make it this far were it nor for all the help and support received from family and loved ones. Since our Coaching commencement date on the 17th of February, so many massive changes have taken place in our lives. My 3rd child was born; my wife quit her job 3 months later to focus on the family; and I also resigned from my current workplace after serving there for over 15 years. There were many painful and frustrating moments, but equivalently as many joyful and victorious ones. Looking back is always a blessing as we are able to see how far we have travelled and how much we have grown. I am grateful for all the learnings and for all the support I have received from family, friends, loved ones, (coaches & cohorts who have also become my friends & family - thank you) and most importantly my Lord God who never once abandoned nor left my side. I honour each and every one of you!

As I look at my now 9 month baby girl and how much she has grown, I feel so much has changed. With every milestone she accomplished, from her first smile, her first words, her first flip over, sitting upwards, crawling, her first taste of solid food, we celebrated with much cheer & fanfare. We recorded as many of these milestones as possible on video, so that we can share them with our families & friends. If we can celebrate so much over a baby’s growth, why is that we don’t celebrate our own growth and learnings?

Therefore in a Coaching journey, we should likewise celebrate each milestone of our Coachees. Taking time to honour & celebrate every small victory or milestone may be the key to potentially bigger breakthroughs for them. Coach Shawn Ellis recommends to “celebrate every little victory you can, so your confidence bank has the ‘funds’ needed to meet the challenges of the day.” When we believe in the person (their human potential), we are honouring them. Let us not lose the beauty of honouring the person (coachee) in front of us.

 

5 Strategies to Honour Life

1. Minimise threat, Maximise Reward. 

- threatened by their beliefs, their competencies, by people etc. Disarm threats that coachees experienced in their lives. Help them start exploring the possibilities / rewards / gifts / opportunities by turning Risk into Rewards.

2. Engage your social brain (learning) 

- research shows that people learn a lot more with other people. With your coachee, we are learning together. Which are the social circles you want to associate and disassociate with?

3. Nurture your emotional agility 

- An umbrella of emotions. Expressed emotions is just the tip of the iceberg. Don’t discount people’s emotions / pass judgement. Don’t avoid these things from our lives. Ask “What is the flip side of that emotion?”

4. Advocate trust over doubt. 

- Opportunity of the gift. Opportunities to acknowledge the coachee for the strengths they are showing, reinforce what they are doing right, celebrate milestones, shifts, & new learning.

5. Facilitate reflection and insights. 

- “What is one thing that you are getting out of this short session?” Let them summarise. “What are the 3 things you are taking away today?” “What would you like to commit to doing until we meet next?” Honouring & Encouraging words. We as the coach may be the only one honouring them for their milestones. Stay with them, believe in them & withhold judgement.

 

My takeaway from today’s session is that we are all (each & every one of us) God’s masterpieces, made in His image. When we honour people, then we honour the one whom we are made in likeness of; ie. God. All of our past experiences, Thoughts, Emotions & Actions are a beautiful tapestry woven together to be who we are today. Everyone, regardless of status, religion, race or gender, deserves honour.