Thought for Monday
London today and senior exec coaching again. And yay! It’s symbolic day! When coaching I often use symbols. And why not? We have Xmas, Easter, Australia Day, Poppy Day – with so many symbols and celebrations. My favourite coaching symbol is a pencil. You don’t write with it! Other writing, typing & texting implements are available for that. The pencil is the symbol of speaking or listening. Putting the pencil down means saying nothing and listen closely. Pick the pencil up and you know you’re going to talk. Coaching clients soon notice how much they hold that pencil and take over the conversation. And keeping the pencil with them at key meetings and conversations helps them to keep quiet, listen better, and speak when others have had a chance to give their view. What’s your symbol?
