Inside Professional Development: The Role of Coaching in Change Management
Why I Decided to Become a Certified Coach
I have had a robust career in consulting, case management, coaching and mentoring, and have loved every second of it. After a careful assessment of what I love, what I am good at, and where my values and motivations lie; I embarked on the journey to becoming a Certified Coach. Through a ton of self-reflection, I have learned that what motivates me is working directly with people whether that is through strategic planning, coaching, or managing projects. I finally know what I want to be when I grow up (yes, I am pushing 40).
The International Coaching Federation defines coaching as, “partnering with clients in a thought-provoking and creative process that inspires them to maximize their personal and professional potential”. I find this definition inspiring, because what that looks like in practice is not actually captured by a definition. It is totally up to the client to steer their ship. Specifically, the word “potential” is not meant to be defined by anyone else but the client. Tired of navigating societal constructs to define your success? GREAT!
Okay, okay, my rebellious nature may be showing a bit, but I am a professional – I promise! Professional Coaching focuses on a person’s passion and motivations, instead of performance measures, social “norms”, or the status quo. To clarify, I am not saying that people should not fit into these molds and constructs, but if you do, it should be based on your values and motivations, not someone else’s. I began my coaching journey because I loved the idea of a person creating and checking their own “boxes”.