NCC Coaching Trends 2009 Interview No. 11: Des Walsh
Despite some trouble getting through to a U.S. bridge line, Australian coach Des Walsh and I finally connected for our conversation on coaching trends. Like several of my guests, I have known Des through his insightful posts on several coaching discussion lists, including the New Coach Connection, but until today we had never spoken in person. I was excited to finally get the opportunity to talk to a successful coach from Down Under. 
Des is also an avid blogger and social networker. See one of his blogs at DesWalsh.com.
Des filled us in on the master’s degree and certificate coach training at the University of Sydney, his alma mater. Coach training in Australia is sometimes a joint venture of the faculty of the college of economics and business and the faculty of the college of science,where the psychology depratment is. Sometimes it is all in the psychology department, where they have a divison called coaching psychology. No U.S. universies have such a designation.
Des sends a note of hope when he asserts that the current world-wide economic crisis can actually be an opportunity for coaches who can communicate with potential clients that they can help them grow their business in the coming months and still have friends and family who will speak to them. It is this recognition that people care more about their family and other parts of their lives, and are not committed purely and only to organizational goals that sets coaches apart from other professionals.Des Quoted Richard Reardon, who said, “People don’t go to work to do a bad job. but it’s not their whole lives.”
Life and relationship coaches may find that this “bad time” is a good time for their business, because people need coaching when they are under pressure. Coaches who can help a business owner create systems and structures so that his business not only survives but thrives while also helping them maintain good communication with their families and friends can help their clients weather the storm.
Des packed a lot in this call. Listen online or download the MP3. Enjoy!
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Click on the arrow to the listen to the interview now (33 min.). Or right click on the following link to download the MP3 file.
IN MEMORIAM: Thomas J. Leonard, July 31, 1955 – February 11, 2003, founder of Coachville/The Schools of Coaching and the International Association of Coaching (learn more). Unknown to us at the time we made the interview appointment, Des and I talked on the sixth anniversary of Thomas J. Leonard’s death. (Tuesday, February 10, 2009, 5:00 PM in Memphis, Tennessee, for me was already Wednesday, February 11, 2009, 9a:00 AM in New South Wale,s, Australia, for Des.) Des reminisced about his relationship with Thomas and shared how much he learned from their friendship. Thomas, you are missed! We are glad that coaches like Des are carrying on your legacy.
Your host for the NCC Coaching Trends 2009 series is Don H. Morris. Don is a life and relationship coach in Memphis, Tennessee. Learn more at donhmorris.com. He is also the list manager for the New Coach Connection discussion list hosted on Yahoo Groups.
Des, I learned today that Thomas J. Leonard is credited with
coining the term “virtual assistant,” and hat his own assistant
started the first VA training program. Interesting! And as you
reminded me, he is also credited with inventing the term
“teleclass.” Thanks for sharing. Don