| The Influence of Coaching |
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It seems like a few short years ago when I first heard about coaching and said to myself: “This would be a great skill to add to my personal development.” Little did I know that it would be my full-time career that would engage remarkable opportunities. The influence of coaching changes people’s lives, changes cultures, and changes us! Every day I wake up and look forward to someone’s life benefiting because of coaching. One particular opportunity took place this summer as I traveled to Lagos, Nigeria for 35 days, training alongside of Dr. Darrel Caldwell, Safety Executive. We saw how learning and applying coaching skills made an immediate impact on the leadership of those who participated in the training. Participants carried an enormous responsibility First question: Have I been on a drilling rig? No. Second question: Was I concerned that my lack of safety experience in the gas and oil industry would impede my ability to connect with the participants? Yes. Third question: Was I confident in the influence that coaching skills can make, regardless of the industry. Yes. Here is the story: As the first group settled in, it didn’t take long to recognize that effective communication is one of the key challenges on the rigs. Thus the role of coaching as the means to effective and relational communication. It was only a matter of minutes before I felt a part of their world, engaged in their challenges, and then together, applying coaching skills to their work world. Participants had opportunities to hear coaching concepts, apply these concepts to their real-life rig challenges, and practice what they learned. Each workshop brought new participants with a unique set of challenges…and each workshop outcome brought the same result: Coaching changes people’s lives, changes cultures, and changes us! The fact that people learned and applied new skills was important; the fact that coaching skills changed how they led was also important, but the fact that coaching changed them was the highlight. One of the leaders in the coaching industry that I admire is Patrick Williams. His continual message—that coaching produces fulfilling results in people’s personal and professional lives—rang true through the testimony of the participants. I don’t want to leave out that my experience on the other side of world changed me…my love for people has always been tenacious, but this trip showed me how small the world really is. People’s deep need for meaning, significance, and fulfillment is world-wide. My vision for coaching has been expanded, and doors of opportunity lie ahead are ready for CCE to walk through. Through wise strategy, next steps will be taken in 2012 to expand the sphere of our influence. Can’t forget one fun fact: I came back with some new language in hand: Tool pusher, roustabout, trip, weight up . . . impressive isn’t it! Coaches help people improve their performance and enhance the quality of their lives. Patick Williams
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for people’s safety as supervisors for employees on drilling rigs off the shores of Nigeria. Communication is crucial on a daily basis and often “in the moment.”