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

Letter from the New Chair of the Membership Committee

Dear ICFC Community,

 

I would like to use this opportunity to introduce myself as the new Chair of the Membership Committee. It’s an honor to be a part of such an amazing and enthusiastic coaching organization. I very much appreciate the opportunity to meet other coaches, become more grounded in my new profession and strengthen the professional identity and standards for coaching.

As I become more familiar with the work and tasks of the Membership Committee, I would like to share with other ICFC members the purpose of this Committee, the one that is considered to be a “customer support center” of our chapter. 

The main goals of the Membership Committee for the near future are:

•   to grow the ICFC coaching family,

•   to develop the competencies of the member coaches and increase their professionalism,

•   to create a place for coaches in Chicago area to meet, brainstorm and share advice and encouragement,

•   to establish clear and transparent communication between ICFC and coach members.

As you can see, the Membership Committee is dedicated to supporting you! We are here to listen to your ideas, suggestions and concerns, and provide the best support we can. 

Over the next few months, I will be highlighting the benefits that your ICFC membership provides.  I'll begin this month with the chapter meetings.  Here are my favorite takeaways from my own participation in Chapter meetings:

•   new insight and ideas from seasoned and successful speakers,

•   a community of amazing and very diverse coaches,

•   personal connections (It's great to be part of a virtual community, but it can never take the place of a warm smile, a handshake, the joy of a first encounter and a warm hug
at the end of the day),

•   the comfort of being among peers, talking about similar problems and professional trends (that is why lawyers have their bar associations),

•   CCEUs.

If you have any questions, suggestions, and/or ideas about how to make our chapter meetings more attractive and beneficial for you, I would love to hear from you.

Looking forward to meeting many of you at the next chapter meeting on April 14^th.

Sofia Burau