Narrative coaching and the climate crisis
Personal story and personal journey are powerful narratives. Many coaches use story as a means to help individuals get “unstuck”, to help give permission and safe space to reflect and also to look forward. As we consider the climate crisis and the present need to take significant and decisive action towards a net zero world, looking back the evidence of anthropomorphic contribution to this impact becomes ever clearer. Have I taken time to stop, reflect and consider my personal and my family’s contribution through the years and, as my lifestyle has changed with things such as a larger home and more travel, the increased personal contribution I have made to the climate crisis? Sadly, I have not. Have you taken time to do a similar exercise?
Applying the narrative model, I realise I don’t need to make the same error as I look forward. Looking at my life as a book and a series of chapters, what would I like to read in my next chapter, as yet unwritten, about how I have lived in a more climate conscious way and made definite and measurable steps to reduce my carbon footprint, my support of local growers and traders and my daily awareness of how I live? Further, how would I like to read about my influence and encouragement to others as a coach? What would I have done to increase awareness, to make this more of a systemic component of my coaching? In helping clients to get “unstuck” and move forward, what have I done in this next chapter that helps them be more aware of their place as a global citizen and a steward of our planet?
Reading that next chapter back to myself, what do I need to start doing differently today that is going to begin to make that chapter become reality?
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Ian Smith is a member of the EMCC Global Workgroup for #ClimateAction and #Sustainability. We are currently surveying #coaches, #mentors and #supervisors. We would love you to share your views. The survey can be accessed HERE
Professional coaching for team leaders ? Level Up Your Team ? Leadership skills training ? Quality of Life at Work
2 年Thank you. Indeed never too late to write a different story.
Coach professionnel & Superviseur certifié Paris, Lyon, Nice, Nantes, Tours, Président Simacs
2 年Excellent, thanks !
EMCC Master Accredited Transition Coach | Ph.D.
2 年Thanks Ian, I agree that narratives are a valuable tool when coaching in the context of climate action and sustainable
Coach, Coach Supervisor, Author, Researcher, Keynote, Coach | Coach Supervisor training + EMCC Global Special Ambassador
2 年Thank you Ian - How encouraging to remind us of the impact of storytelling and the importance of the life chapters we create to stimulate engagement with being climate conscious and taking action #emcc #climateaction #coaching
Thanks for the reminder Ian. The power to connect through human stories #emcc #climateaction #coachingskills