A Soul’s Kiss
During the first conversation
when time seemed to stand still
two souls meet each other
for the first time
They bow and curtsy
Then walk hand in arm
as they promenade
to the dance floor
They are like old friends
One in the same
The passage of time
means nothing to them
They spin and laugh
swing, dip, and cry
A moment outside of time
has arrived
A stroke, an embrace
A kiss, A knowing
At peace amongst
the quandary of time’s sewing
Eyes linger with sight like no other
Hearts flutter & breaths intertwine
A moments rush of energy
That bathes us in eternity
Caught off guard
the mind takes control
the body still senses though
the other’s soul-shadow
It was a soul’s kiss
An unmistakable bliss
A moment of rare delight
In that first night
A mystery of a kiss
An embrace
A wave good bye
And very old and a very new
Hello
~ Matthew Egan Rochte 6/12/2005
At the last few Minnesota Coaches Association meetings I have been sharing with people the new definition of coaching that I am using. Almost everyone has wanted a copy of what I said so I am including it here with a little background. I did not invent this definition. Dave Buck of Coachville did last Fall. Most of the definitions that I have seen, including Coachville’s are several sentences if not paragraphs long. Dave Buck set out to create a new, clear, concise, and provocative definition for coaching that reinvents our understanding of what a coach is.
Coaching is inspiring an individual or a team to produce a desired result;
through personalized teaching, expanding awareness, and designing environments.
Myth number One of Dave Buck’s “10 Myths About Coaching” series is that Coaches don’t know how to market themselves. Dave remarks that at the core of the issue is not that that they don’t know how to market, which may also be true, but rather it is the fact that the industry and therefore coaches do not truly know what coaching is. As an industry, we don’t have a clear and concise definition of what coaching is.
I really like this definition. I think it truly speaks to what masterful coaching is about. I feel where this definition really excels is in the trilogy of method. 1)Personalized Teaching 2)Expanding Awareness, and 3)Designing Environments. It is these three elements together that distinguish us from every other “similar” profession who use one or two of these elements but not all three simultaneous and great coaches do.
I have had several people comment and express curiosity about different aspects of the definition that challenged them.
#1 was with the word “inspire” –I want you to think about your favorite coach, what makes you want to work with them. Do they inspire you? This definition sets the bar higher for everyone. What if we as coaches really do inspire our clients – what then is possible?
#2 was with the concept of “personalized teaching” – This is at the core what I personally think coaching is about. Julio Olalla speaks of coaching as being in the domain of learning.
#3 “designing environments” – If you really want to make changes last and have the desired results we need to look at, enhance, refine, and design the environments in which the change is occurring everything from the physical dimension to the emotional environments. If you don’t effect a change in the environment the likelihood of regression is great.
To read more and to see Dave’s comments about the elements go to
http://www.cvcommunity.com/utility/showArticle/?ObjectID=1807
Try applying this definition to your coaching today. What would change if you started coaching from this definition?
Matthew Egan Rochte ~ MCA President 2005
