In addition, these three themes emerged: learning, connection and business. If we look at some of the ways for doing and being a coach we note parallels to how we do and be in community. (You might recognize
our 11 key coaching competencies.) A great coaching community must:
• Preserve its foundation in integrity,
• Negotiate clear agreements about appropriateness
and members needs,
• Create a safe and supportive environment with intimacy,
trust and respect for individuality,
• Invite full participation and the presence of the members
to be open, organic and flexible,
• Take risks as necessary,
• Be light-hearted, as appropriate,
• Enable members to manage themselves (setting boundaries)
while in a group so that their essence is not devoured,
• Promote active listening, powerful questioning and direct
communication to create connection,
• Support individuals to go beyond the layer of self to that
of community,
• Facilitate learning and results
• Reinforce personal accountability for actions and choices.
Community can be our mirror. One of the functions community can offer us is the opportunity to practice and experience within a group
setting, the underlying reasons why we chose coaching as our profession. “The goal of community is to form a diverse body of people with common goals and empower them to embrace their own gifts, selves and nature. Community holds a space for all its members to work at becoming as close to their true selves as possible,” states Sobonfu E. Some in Welcoming Spirit Home.
Supplement your life as a coach by becoming a member of a coaching community. You will see the results of your efforts and participation.
Coaches gain much value by being part of a coaching community!
