Discover more from Like person, like coach by Iacob Bacian
'23 Weeknotes #20: One Year of Learning
Reflection on coaching practice from one year of coaching on OrgBuilders:
You are reading ‘Like person, like coach’, a newsletter about being the coach you are whilst trying to contribute to a better world:
For the past year I’ve been coaching on OrgBuilders, a programme of peer support, coaching and expert training organised by NEON for organisations going through periods of change or growth. I’ve been coaching 4 leaders from two organisations in 1-2-1 and 2-2-1 coaching sessions supporting them to reflect on and implement changes to their organisational structure and operations, strategy and culture.
We held this work from the lens of anti-oppression paying close attention to how our work together replicated the kind of behaviours that keep us stuck in the loop of othering and punishment as familiar and illusory solutions. Now that we’ve come to the end of the work I’ve been reflecting on what I’ve learnt about my coaching practice and where I’d like to grow next.
This learning, as always, took place in dialogue with the leaders who I worked with, my project manager and the other four coaches on the programme. I share with you three of the many areas of development I’m contemplating:
Trauma Trigger Management: Being aware of trauma triggers, being able to take pause and make sure to understand what is going on for me before or as it comes up in my interaction with clients. I’d like to get better at: a) Identifying and managing triggers in the moment; b) Setting up more ad hoc supervision as needed, and c) Identifying more tools and mechanisms for managing triggers.
Holding Own/Clients’ Learning: How do we create the conditions for transformative learning? And how do these conditions look different for different people? Being aware of what someone needs in order to take in new learning is as important as the learning itself. And it will change from one day to another, and some of it will stay the same. As coaches and simply as outsiders to the situation we can sometimes jump to point the blind spot, but sometimes rushing in isn’t the thing.
Anti-oppression and Compassion: Suffering changes our behaviour. And often when we suffer, we hurt each other. If we can find a way to be tender to each other’s places of suffering, rather than shaming them, then maybe we have a chance at healing and connection? I came into this year curious about what anti-oppression might mean in the day-to-day rather than in the abstract.
What I’m coming out with is a sense that anti-oppression might have something to do with learning not only to live with but to seek and relish in difference.
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What’s next after OrgBuilders?
I am currently looking for new coaching work. I want to continue to use coaching to support leaders who are working on pressing societal issues. Especially those who see the relational aspect of the work being core to lasting impact and long-term sustainability. If you know a team, organisation or project who you think would benefit from us working together, please put us in touch.
You can learn more about my coaching work on the website here and stay in touch on social media. You can also email me on iacobrbacian@gmail.com.
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And as always, here’s where I’m getting inspired this week:
* Dr Jo Taylor’s Weekly Compassionate Check-In’s
’Sometimes actions will increase the chances of suffering in one area and reduce them in another. So, how do we decide?’
‘How do you create the conditions for compassionate thought?’
* Rehearshing Freedoms Festival (Oct/Nov)
* Relational Team Coaching Book Launch (Oct 18th)
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If you enjoy reading Like Person, Like Coach, please recommend it to others who might find useful, too. If you have feedback and suggestions on how I can deepen my learning please write me on iacobrbacian@gmail.com.