Coaching vs Advising: An artistic view
Coaching is defined by the International Coaching Federation (ICF) as “partnering with the client in a thought-provoking and creative process that inspires them to maximize their personal and professional potential.”
This definition uses such powerful words….partnering, thought-provoking, creative, inspires, maximize, potential. Lets break these words down.
By partnering with my clients, I am not leading or advising them. I am working alongside them as they master the journey of their life, goal-setting. My role is to take your current reality and partner with you to reframe the picture.
Imagine visiting your favorite art museum and finding your favorite art piece, in the same corner of the room, the height from the floor is unchanged, the width is the same, the painting has not changed. Though something looks different. The colors look brighter, the green more vibrant, the red (which you had not even noticed before) suddenly adds depth and contrast.
What just happened? The painting is the same. The frame has changed and by changing the frame, you have now noticed different hues of the same color, the depth of the small amounts of red, the vibrance of the four shades of green, each one with its own power. The picture is the same, the frame changes your preception. Your own creative mind will see the picture differently, even different from the person beside you. This is your thought-provoking and creative journey. You create the picture. You create the frame. You even decide the colors. This is your creation. This is your life.
So why is coaching not advising? Your picture, your creation, your reality, your frame, your truth.
You are the artist.
