Peer Assistance | Mentoring | Coaching

The Coaching News

(December 16, 2002)
ISSN 1708-9026

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TOPICS

1. Peer Coaching Led to the Hall of Fame
2. What is the Current Status of Coaching?
3. Learn to Be a Peer Coach
4. What's New from Coaching Literature

PEER COACHING LED TO THE HALL OF FAME

Peer Resources has published its most recent issue of the print magazine, Compass: A Magazine for Peer Assistance, Mentorship and Coaching. This particular issue contains many articles that will be of value to coaches. One section of the magazine includes stories that illustrate the power of coaching. Here is the story:

"When Jackie Robinson was signed by the Brooklyn Dodgers GM, Branch Rickey, he became the first African-American to play major league baseball. But "Number 42" became the target of considerable racist hatred and death threats. Branch Rickey had warned him that things would be tough and that he should learn to turn the other cheek. Prior to one game, however, Jackie received a telephone call that brought him to his tipping point. He was so devastated he couldn't concentrate of the game and struck out with the bases loaded. In another inning he made a fielding error. The crowd escalated their obscenities.

Pee Wee Reese, the white, shortstop from Kentucky and Jackie's teammate called a time-out. Pee Wee put his arm around Robinson and said, "Jackie, let me tell you something. I believe in you. You are the greatest ballplayer I have ever seen. You can do it. I know that. And I know something else: One of these days you are going into the Hall of Fame. So, hold your head up high and play ball like only you can do it." Robinson was uplifted by those words and went on to deliver the game-winning hit for his team.

Many years later when he was inducted into the Hall of Fame, Robinson recalled that day on the field with Pee Wee. "He saved my life and my career that day. I had lost my confidence, and Pee Wee picked me up with his words of encouragement. He gave me hope when all hope was gone."

This issue of Compass also includes an article that analyzes the use of eleven Internet-based coach referral systems and comes to some surprising conclusions about whether these systems actual aid or exploit coaches.

Another article brings together the views of coaching authorities such as Judy Feld (President-Elect of the International Coach Federation), Patrick Williams (CEO of the Institute for Life Coaching), Wendy Johnson (CEO and President of the National Association of Business Coaches), C.J. Hayden (author of Get Clients Now), Robert Hargrove (author of Masterful Coaching) and Julio Olalla (President of the Newfield Network). Each of these coaching gurus sheds light on what the future holds for coaches.

Additional articles focus on how to select worthwhile telecourses, a review of bridge line services for delivering a telecourse, expanding practice capacity by using a virtual assistant, how to transform managers into coaches plus a variety of practice tips and relevant research findings for coaches.

A subscription to this print publication is included with membership in the Peer Resources Network. Copies are available to non-members for $15.00 each plus postage. Additional details are available at <http://www.peer.ca/Compassinfo.html> or email: compass@peer.ca.

WHAT IS THE CURRENT STATUS OF COACHING?
Although the phrases "coaching profession" and "professional coach" appear widely in the literature about coaching and in coach resumes, can coaching really be called a profession? Does coaching meet the standard criteria for a profession as illustrated by the more established groups associated with law, medicine and psychology? Or would it be more accurate to call coaching an "evolving profession" or a "discipline?" Does it really matter?

This question gains relevance as the rapid growth of coaching has been accompanied by a number of organizations competing to attract coaches into their fold. Some use the idea of joining a "professional" group as the magnet to collect their fees, but can they really claim they are "professional?" Other organizations that are free or charge low fees may be considered as second class or not professional, but is this really a fair assessment when the service and resources they provide far outstrip the bigger players?

The Coaching Organizations, Associations and Networks page at <http://www.peer.ca/coaching.html> examines this issue and describes the majority of coaching-oriented organizations now available for membership. If you are interested in joining a group or wondering about validity of the group in which you currently hold membership, this page will provide value for your review.

LEARN TO BE A PEER COACH
Peer coaching is a way for employees to learn how to coach each other. Rather than relying on a coach/client hierarchy or waiting for appointments, peer coaching is a way for employees to assist each other on the spot and learn coaching techniques that can be applied to a variety of work and outside-of-work challenges.

The foundation of peer coaching is based on a simple structured interaction that relies on mutuality, deep listening and power questions. In 2003, Peer Resources will be offering three seminars on Peer Coaching in the Workplace: July 3-4 in Kitchener, Ontario (Canada), July 10-11 in Victoria, British Columbia (Canada) and December 1-2 in Tiburon, California. For more information about these seminars, go to www.peer.ca/trng.html.

WHAT'S NEW FROM COACHING LITERATURE
Peer Resources continually scans the professional and popular published literature to find articles of interest to coaches. A recent addition to the searchable, annotated bibliography at <http://www.peer.ca/coaching.html> is:

Belf, T. (2002). Coaching with spirit: Allowing success to emerge. New York: Wiley (Pfeiffer).

This book helps readers increase their awareness and personal responsibility using a process that defines both spiritual growth and self-discovery through coaching. The author believes that coaching with Spirit leads to better service for clients by helping them obtain desired results and increase well-being. She suggests helpful methods for integrating Spirit into coaching practices, presenting reflections and applications for both beginning and seasoned coaches. The book includes a variety of exercises, activities, points for reflection, assessments, tools, and techniques for learning to coach with Spirit. Order from Amazon.ca (for Canadian orders) or from Amazon.com (for US and International orders).

(Editor's Note: Purchase of this book (and any others listed on the Peer Resources' site) using these links will generate a commission to Peer Resources. We donate the fees received to a non-profit program that provides clothing for homeless youth.)

WE WISH YOU THE BEST OF THE HOLIDAY SEASON AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR!

The Coaching News is provided to subscribers every 45-60 days by Peer Resources <www.peer.ca/coaching.html>. To become a member of the Peer Resources Network and receive a more comprehensive monthly publication as well as the only print magazine on coaching, visit www.peer.ca/PRN.html or call 1.800.567.3700 in North America or 1.250.595.3503 outside of North America. To be removed from this mailing list send an email to <info@peer.ca>.

All articles and information included in this newsletter have been prepared by Rey Carr and all copyrights are held by Peer Resources. To submit information or articles for possible inclusion in future issues, please send an email to coachingnews@peer.ca.