Helping someone grow
Reflecting on a recent engagement, I realized that Coaching a person is about enabling their self-discovery and self-realization. One of the fundamental learning I gained was I cannot change a person. I can only aid them in being who they want to be. It meant learning to trust in the innate wisdom of the other person.
“It is the client who knows what hurts, what directions to go, what problems are crucial, what experiences have been deeply buried.” – Carl Rogers, On Becoming a Person
Surviving before thriving
A common wisdom shared in the fields of investing, business, and life is the importance of survival. Few businesses and humans live long enough to reap the fruits of their success. This common wisdom is valuable in my world today as I come across the sudden demise of young people, and organizations that grow fast and become dust the next day. It seems like passion is overestimated over survival. While we must learn about thriving, we should also avoid everything that will kill us or our pursuit.
“Flashy gimmicks for beating the market are much the same: In short streaks, so long as your luck holds out, they work. Over time, they will get you killed.” – Benjamin Graham, The Intelligent Investor
Wielding power gracefully
Leadership is not about gaining power, it is about wielding power gracefully. The art of wielding power for the benefit of the larger good can be learned only through experience and humility. The art is learned only through asking questions, listening well, involving people in decisions that impact them, sharing credit with others, and being respectful to those who have different viewpoints.
“Leadership is not defined by the exercise of power but by the capacity to increase the sense of power among those led. The most essential work of the leader is to create more leaders.” – Mary Parker Follet, pioneer and thought leader in organizational behavior