The Tao of Coaching

One of the most beautiful things I have ever had the good fortune to read and be blessed with is The Tao Te Ching. The Tao, as it is called, is an ancient Chinese text credited to Lao Tzu over two thousand years ago. It is, like many such things of this age something of a mystery. I am fortunate enough to have a wonderfully illustrated version of it. I recall committing to reading one chapter a day. There are eighty one chapters in all. Unlike many other similar texts, it is short and could actually be read in one sitting. 

It’s advocates are many. I recall Stu Wilde an unorthodox thinker saying it was the only thing he considered worthy of following. Wayne Dyer wrote a fabulous book, dedicating one chapter to each lesson. A perfect companion to The Tao, to help you and give a wise perspective to infiltrate and meld with your own.

The definitions of the title are as with many things not always agreed on but I have settled on the word ‘Tao’ to mean ‘the way', ‘Te’ ‘virtue’ and ‘Ching’ scripture or message. We can take this as a text offering wisdom and counsel on going the virtuous way. I like that and so I shall stick with it.

So why associate such a thing with the subject of coaching? Well as a coach what is it you are doing? What is or are your aims and how will you get there? 

If you cannot immediately answer these questions and write the answer down in a succinct way, I suggest that there is something amiss. That something is that you are going about your ‘coaching’ with a lack of focus and commitment. “How dare you’, I hear from the gallery. Exactly how dare I? I dare because I didn’t really know the deep answers to these fundamental questions myself. 

Acquiring the answers to them require you to dig deep and find out some things about yourself. They will not come cheaply and quickly. Introspection and contemplation as well as being ‘in the arena’, to a degree, are necessary factors in this process. ‘Really?’, again I hear you cry. Yes really. Ignore self knowledge and you will bluster about creating warm results without setting anything on fire. 

Step back, take some time, read, listen, ask and step out but find out. When you have found out, you will know your way. In fact, let’s rephrase that. You will know the way. 

So to come back to the whole point of The Tao. You now have your way, your philosophy, your beliefs, your commitment and your life all integrated and powerfully focussed. 

Your Tao is unique and will attract those who need you. Find it and call ‘follow me!’ Then, and only then will you really know the way. You will be free. You will be fearless. You will be you. Oh yes and you will be that great coach we mentioned at the beginning.

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