(Extracts taken from my speech at the CCA-MACC 8th Convocation & Awards Event on 23rd November 2013)
My life around coaching is ruled by 3 emotional states.
My 1st emotional state is that of happiness which is derived from seeing how the coach community is expanding and evolving every year over the last 12 years; that was the time that I stepped in coaching. Every year has a positive difference over the other; not only seeing more and more people entering into the coaching world, but also seeing the many more varied organizations and individuals investing in coaching as well.
Personally, I am happy that CCA has this avenue and opportunity for people here and abroad to pursue, not only their coaching dream, but also to attain the highest and the most prestigious coaching credential from the International Coach Federation (ICF). I am also so happy that CCA produces the most number of ICF credentialed coaches in this region.
Indeed, this is the happiness for me.
My 2nd emotional state is that of pride. This happens when I get the good news that many of our coaches are continuing on with their journey of learning more, doing more, growing more and achieving more to be even greater coaches.
Some elevate themselves to become ICF credentialed coaches, some become mastery certified coaches, some become coach authors, some continue on to earn extra coaching stripes, some become prominent professional speakers, successful coaching entrepreneurs, some even become coaching evangelists who generously give their time to share the good news of coaching with the world.
We call all these coaches ‘coach achievers’ for they not only have achieved success, but also have achieved greater happiness and fulfillment for themselves and for the people who cross their paths.
These coach achievers have many fine traits:
a) They are passionate people with an ever burning ‘fire’ that propel them to break new grounds;
b) They are courageous people who have the staying power to overcome any challenges ahead.
c) They are adventurous people too; they dare to try new things, take risks to keep creating a new tomorrow for themselves (and others as well).
d) Finally, they are also team players; they stay in touch with the coaching community while joining new ones to expand their network. In doing so, they help grow the coaching community and also the other communities that they are part of.
However, I also have a 3rd emotional state, which is the occasional not-so-happy state of me. It occurs when I come to know when some coaches drop out of the Coaching mainstream, who no longer embrace Coaching anymore (either in their personal or professional life), and who, (for some reasons) leave the coach community where they once belonged, with some experiencing some big dips in their lives as well.
So this is the not-so-happy side of me which I apologize for sharing at such a time. My intention is not to dampen the mood of this wonderful afternoon, but with the larger intent to sharpen our mindfulness so that we prevent unfortunate events from getting the better of us. Mindfulness comes with strong self observation of our daily actions which helps us to be always proactive so that we continue to move ahead a lot easier.
I like to take you back to our learning lessons where we covered this topic of installing ‘balloons’ to overcome the ‘buckets’ that stand in our life journey. (Do you still remember?)
So dear coaches, I have this powerful question for you all: What is the one balloon you want to install to grow yourself further to become great coaches?
In reality, coaches are simply better leaders and human beings. The world needs a lot of such people; with the good character of integrity, compassion and respect to model goodness to others; and the professional coaching skills to empower ourselves and others to move towards greater success and fulfillment.
So we coaches have this as our common life mission; that is to leave behind our footprints for others to follow before we check out from this planet.
On this note, I like to say again, syabas! to all you newly crowned coaches. (I am so glad that I have been part of your journey). And to all the coach achievers, keep on living out your life mission!
A big ‘thank you’ to the coach community, honored guests and family & friends who are here to lend us your support on this auspicious event.