President's Letter for May 2014

Synchronicity   I was introduced to Joseph Jaworski through his book, Synchronicity, back in 2007. Once I picked up the book I couldn’t put it down as I read Joseph’s story of how he learned to pay attention to his own “Inner Path of Leadership” and the impact it had on his life as well as through his life. I specifically remember an event described in the book where he was running through an airport and saw a woman at a gate he had just passed. In that moment, he had a sense that he wanted to meet her…but the plane he was heading for was about to leave the gate. He ran back, introduced himself and asked if he could contact her. She said “yes” and the rest, as they say, is history (they did meet again and eventually married).   I was struck by this story as it spoke to that moment in time when one recognizes a decision point. Where one notices an alignment of people, places and things that produces a unique, positive possibility or   opportunity. These moments are a part of what many of us experience as synchronicity.    I recently experienced some synchronicity that was extremely timely; although I’m grateful that I did have more than a millisecond to consider the offer. I was invited by a colleague / friend to attend a leadership retreat that was just the boost I needed for this season in my leadership journey. I said “yes”.    What invitations, events or internal whispers are you hearing these days that may be clues guiding you to greater fulfillment, success or risk taking? If you were your own coach, what would you challenge yourself to be paying more attention to this month?   If you do have some synchronicity in action…what will you do with it today? Whether you have a millisecond, a day, a week or a year to respond, what actions do you want to design to take advantage of this synchronicity?   International Coaching Week is May 19-25, 2014! ICF and ICF Chicago invite you to celebrate the coaching profession throughout this week by engaging with your local community through a coach café and/or meetup. Here is your chance to use ICFC resources and global support to get the word out about what you do and why you do it as a coach. For more on how you can join other ICF Chicago coaches in celebrating this global week-long event, contact Jill (ASAP at intlcoachingweek@icf-chicago.org).    May Core Competency: Direct Communication & Designing Actions! What metaphors do your clients keep referring to? How might you use these metaphors more effectively during your coaching sessions? How might brainstorming open up the possibilities for your clients this month? How might you challenge your clients to “Do It Now” more often?   Wishing you a productive and fulfilling month!   In support of your success, Wendy Balman, CPCC, ACC ICFC President