The Unknown

The unknown is where all outcomes are possible; enter it with grace.
 
This wisdom I found on a Yogi tea label when I poured myself a cup of tea. Reading the sentence over and over I compared it to coaching. I think you can compare to life as well since the unknown has a magical ring to it. And this we can explore another time, for now I would like to connect the unknown to (career) coaching.
 
Stepping into the unknown as a coachee and coach might feel like sailing unchartered territory. Both bring experience, expectations and the unknown. The coachee would like to work on career development, personal development or ‘how to change jobs/careers’. Your coach can help you with this and is equipped for this process. But both do not know in advance what the process will bring, the unknown.
 
What will you uncover about yourself that helps you develop as a leader, ready for a new career challenge? All these insights you might call outcomes, ready to be yours and to be used in life and your career. In such a process it is not about putting a square in a round hole but to be open to all there is. Maybe you would like to be coached on getting ready for a new job and during that process you found out that the environment and organisation you work is such a good fit that you consider staying. I would call that stretching your playing field, asking yourself, “have I covered every corner of that field that is my current career or job?”
 
The other way around is also possible. Wanting to stay and then during coaching, coming to the finding that you see more opportunities outside of your current employer. All is good as long as you permit yourself to be open to any possible outcome.
 
This attitude is also important to have as a coach, in my opinion. To be open to any outcome that is possible. Although there is always a question before you start a coaching cycle with your client. This question is about, what brings you here and what would you like to solve? All the answers to this question are personal and different all the time. And as a coach you do not have all the answers. So then, together with your clients you work towards answers that are right for them.
 
Both coachee and coach do their dance with grace so that they can become aware of all the possible outcomes.
 
Now back to my tea and possibility,
 
LJ Nieulant
Career and Leadership Coach I Coach on the Job