I was trying to achieve the discovery of a new career path.
My 23-year career was over and the family-owned and operated business was the only thing I had done as a profession. When it ended, I had no idea what was next, nor how to get onto a new career path. While in limbo, I spent some time as a stay-at-home mother and in self-reflection to determine what I wanted that new path to look like. After 23 years of only experiencing one career, I had focused on the necessities of running the business without ever really assessing if it was right for my natural gifts and talents. I determined I didn’t want to return to running the same type of business, but a new career path was still very unclear. I didn’t want to just jump into a j-o-b. I wanted to reinvent myself, if I could figure out who I was and where I should be going. I only knew that I really enjoyed creative writing and taking pictures.
Volunteer?
Since I had so much free time, I decided to try volunteering at church. I tried being a door greeter, helping in a sandwich ministry, and other things of that sort. I’d also bring my camera with me and take photos around the church, for fun. Eventually, I passed some photos on to the church’s communications department for use at social media or the website. The woman who was the Communications Director asked me if I’d like to volunteer in the communications department. I had free time, so I thought, “Why not?”
I had an unexpected coach in my corner.
At that time, I did not know how to use a computer. She set up an old Dell at a small desk in her office and gave me some pointers. While there, we would talk about lots of things. She was not a professional coach, or counselor; I have never been guided by a certified coach. But, I came to understand that she was someone who liked to listen to others and help them sort things out. She would ask questions that helped me think through what I was facing, or where I was in life. It all happened in a very casual and relaxed setting and we developed a trusting relationship. She would challenge me to think rationally and focus my thoughts in a positive direction. Being with her and “chatting” helped me realize my new direction: college. Our talks helped me process my disoriented life. I was able to step away and embark on a new adventure, one that would begin preparing me for a new career path. I later realized that my natural gifts and abilities aligned with the things I loved doing, writing and photography (digital arts).
“I came to understand that she was someone who liked to listen to others and help them sort things out.”
Having a coach helped me remember my value.
In the Journal of Leadership Studies article “Coaching Models for Leadership Development: An Integrative Review,” the writers explain that the term coach is “derived from a French term that means to convey a valued person from one point to another” (Carey, Philippon, & Cummings, 2011, p. 52). That really resonated with me when thinking about being coached. I had reached a place where I felt I had little value and was not sure what I had to offer. The woman who coached me helped me realize I still had value and that I was just as bright as when I was running my business. The brightness just needed a new place to shine. My performance (getting on the path to a new career) was accelerated because she knew what she needed to ask me to get me thinking correctly about myself and my situation. If I had not had her as a coach in my corner it would likely have taken me much longer to figure out my next steps. Or, I might have hastily gone off in a direction that was not right for me.
How a certified coach could be useful.
As I wrote, I’ve never had a certified coach guiding me. And in this module of study, I have realized that coaching is different than mentoring. A coach asks questions and the coachee determines what actions should be taken as they process their own thoughts in relation to the questions. Having a coach in my corner doesn’t mean that someone is there to tell me what to do, where to go, or how to get there. It means there is someone who is invested in helping me process my thoughts in various areas so that I can determine my next steps. If I had a certified coach for six months, it would be interesting to hear the questions they would ask in relation to what I tell them about myself. I’m curious if our conversations would make me aware of new goals and directions that I should explore. I think having someone who could help bring to the forefront what I am yet unaware of in the way of goals, ideas, or even dreams for my future would be a powerful resource. I have goals and dreams that I seem to be spinning my wheels on and I wonder if a certified coach would be useful in helping me reach them. If a coach could guide me to make my dreams a reality, that’s how I would use the gift of a certified coach in my corner.
Carey, W., Philippon, D., & Cummings, G. (2011). Coaching models for leadership development: An integrative review. Journal of Leadership Studies., 5(1), 51–69. https://doi.org/10.1002/jls.20204
Cynthia Puckett | MSLD 500 | Dr. Rietsema | February 20, 2021 | The Coach in Your Corner
Cynde Puckett-Valenti 