By: Angela Spaxman

Angela Spaxman — Mon, 09 Mar 2009 03:00:40 +0000

I want to say that I agree with Andrea’s comment that it is
possible for coaches to bring their values into their coaching.
I’ve been thinking about this myself since Lable Braun brought it
up at CAM 2008 and posted it on the Coaching Commons as part of
“Burning Down the House.” I would say it is something for masterful
coaches to consider, because for beginners, putting attention on
your values could take away from giving the client enough space.
But when masterful coaches honour and express their own values I
think they do a service to humanity by moving us forward faster.
Coaches can express their values in the way they run their
businesses, who they choose as their clients, what they choose to
share with their clients and in their own style of living their
lives. Our values are big enough that they do not have to interfere
with our clients. For example, I have a strong value about
leadership. I think that those of us who have the capability and
resources to lead, should practice leadership. (By ‘should’, I just
mean that there is value in doing this. By ‘leadership’, I mean
collectively creating a desired future.) Not all of my clients want
to be leaders, but as I support them in expressing their best
selves, I trust that I am also building their leadership capability
for the long run. Patience is key as we express our values! Thanks
so much Don for leading us to this opportunity to discuss and to
Andrea for raising a provocative issue that moves us forward in our
thinking. (I can also express my values by appreciating them when I
see them.) Cheers, Angela

Comments on: NCC Coaching Trends 2009 #13 & #14: Andrea J. Lee & Angela Spaxman

By: Angela Spaxman