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Brian Tracy (1944- ) began as a sales trainer and is most well-known as a motivational speaker. Born in Canada, he has recorded many of his works as audio books, which include leadership, sales, managerial effectiveness, and business strategy topics.
In 1981 Tracy assembled his success system which he released three years later as a self-help audio tape called “The Psychology of Achievement.” A quote attributed to him is: The happiest people in the world are those who feel absolutely terrific about themselves, and this is the natural outgrowth of accepting total responsibility for every part of their life.
His goal is to “help you achieve your personal and business goals faster and easier than you ever imagined” (from his website www.briantracy.com). Sounds like a coach to me, in fact he has a program to train coaches in his methods as well as providing coaching to interested clients. As Edit Hulbert told me in June 2006, “a lot of those high-end business speakers have coaching programs.”
I will leave you with a final quote from Tracy which ties directly to coaching:
All successful men and women are big dreamers. They imagine what their future could be, ideal in every respect, and then they work every day toward their distant vision, that goal or purpose.
How has Tracy influenced your life and/or your coaching?
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There are 9 Responses so far...
I like the fact the Brian Tracy gives actionable ideas, rather than simply “motivational” rhetoric. I have used his material in my coaching for years.
What additional ideas do others have about Brian Tracy’s work? Where else do you find ideas that inspire action?
This sounds to me like “one-on-one training”, not coaching.
http://www.focalpointcoaching.com/coaching%20process.php
“Business owners and professionals can select to receive one-on-one coaching on all key coaching subject areas including: Gaining Power through Clarity ; Increasing Your Effectiveness ; Growing Your Business and Become a Leader”
“FocalPoint business coaching isn’t ‚Äö√Ñ√∫consulting.‚Äö√Ñ√π Instead, our coaching is a ‚Äö√Ñ√∫partnership‚Äö√Ñ√π between you and your FocalPoint coach. You’ll have preparation activities to accomplish between coaching sessions ‚Äö√Ñ√¨ but each activity is designed to directly help you move your business and your profits higher and higher!”
In regard to Leonardo’s comment, the style of coaching Tracy uses is on the directive side of the coaching range from “facilitative to directive”, as well as on the specific side of the range from “holistic to specific”. While it may appear to be more one-on-one training, it falls into the realm of coaching – depending on your definition of coaching.
In regard to Rich’s comment, Tracy also in on the actional side of the coaching range from “being to doing” or “reflection to action”.
The definition I use for coaching is very broad and encompassing, and deals with how people interact with each other. Thanks, Vikki
Firstly, I want to respond to Vikki’s question…
How has Tracy influenced your life and/or your coaching?
I would share that my experience of Brian Tracy has helped me to understand that there are principles and rules which can guide one toward a predetermined outcome in business and ultimately life.
Is this coaching or not…does it matter…wink?
I am first struck by the use of absolutes which more often than not throw-up a caution sign for me…
“…total responsibility for every part of their life…”
Notice “total” and “every part” being used.
Also, in the later quote…
“All successful men and women…”
Notice the use of “All” as well as “successful.”
Can one be responsible for their life and have little in the way of physical possessions and be happy?
Can one be responsible for their life and have a great many physical possessions and be happy or not?
Aren’t there times in life when letting go of the outcome does in fact bring one closer to the desired outcome?
Is Brian Tracy effective…I would offer that he is?
Is Brian Tracy ineffective…I would offer that he is?
My point here is this…as a coach is the outcome more important than the opportunity born with inquiry?
Doesn’t inquiry have the potential to lead to a new and potentially once unknown outcome?
Some clients can journal with extraordinary outcomes, while others dread the whole idea pushing a pen or pencil across a piece of paper or maybe even worse staring at a computer screen as they hunt for the feelings, the words, and the keys.
As an example, does the fact that a majority of the population have success with a given tool, or process make the same the best tool for all…NO WAY!
The truth is there are people that have never heard of Brian Tracy, living a completely different life, and living it fully by their own definition. My point here is how easy it is to view what we know as bigger than it is.
Not everyone will be drawn to the likes of Brian Tracy!
Finally, is there something to making a distinction such as “Goals versus living…”
After all, I was and still am influenced by hearing Thomas Leonard once share how upon awaking he does nothing more than focus on what is most important to him in that moment. Once he has gone as far as he can or is so inclined he then moves on to the next inspiration of the moment.
When we allow time to dictate who we are isn’t there a price to be paid in terms of potential and even integrity?
Yet, there is something about learning the mechanics until we reach a point when they can be forgotten. Can coaching facilitate such learning…I feel it can.
I love how Tim Ferriss says “challenge your assumptions…” or something to that end. Personally, I am willing to let go of what I once framed as coaching in return for the opportunity to dance (explore and experiment) with my client in a way that is uniquely theirs.
Can we review the moments to say this moment is coaching, the next moment is training, and even the next moment is…absolutely. Still, isn’t it the sum of the whole experience that says what is true!
Sometimes be heard is far more valuable than than being a doer!
I know, I know…wink! I couldn’t stop, I love these dialogs. People and their potential for possibility truly EXCITES ME TO NO END!
With appreciation,
James (Mr. Possible)
I understand that we like, more, the results that the definitions (James Possible). And I also understand that coaching is concerned with how people interact (Vikki). But although that is important, is not enough to advance the discipline of coaching.
The consultancy, psychology, training, advice, and other aid practices are useful, effective and nobody denies that success. Even MANY OF THEM ALSO DEVELOP THE POTENTIAL WE HAVE “INSIDE”. However, if we accept that the only thing important are the results, and any study that relate to human relationships, then we open the doors to “self-destruction” of the profession.
No. The coaching is not only looking for “good results”, or deals only interact as individuals. The coaching must have a well defined theory and practice, which offers (only in certain circumstances) that other disciplines can not, by nature, offer.
This is not to create differences and separations that limit the profession, but to understand, explain, and practise the real contribution of coaching as a new discipline autonomous in their fundamental bases.
Leonardo, I’m not sure I follow the reason for speaking of results as posted. I will have to review what I shared…wink! I do not see “results” so to speak as the only measure. Yet, without them the coaching dialog then becomes…?
I appreciate how you shared the idea of “self-destruction” as it relates to having a clear definition of “what is” this profession called coaching. I’m not sure that I agree, although I can see how such a thought could be seen as a possibility.
From consulting to medicine the professional work to dissolve the issue or challenge at hand. Sometimes with theories that can be extreme and only over time are proven less than effective.
Theory can create a comfortable place for reason and intellect yet it does not insure that one is grounded.
Does coaching have a need to be prescriptive? Does the need to provide evidence suggest that it does?
Coaching does not require process or form to work. Yes, it could be argued that masterful coaching does in fact have form and I would suggest that the jury is still out. My reason for saying this is that when the measurement becomes more important than the experience then in fact the bias of the measurement rules or defines the potential that exists within the relationship between client and coach.
It might look something like “I know what masterful coaching is! I have coached ____ to these outcomes ____! My way works!” While this may not be spoken, I have definitely experienced it in learning situations.
Meaning to say that the coach becomes the limitation rather than the facilitator of potential (known or unknown).
The mirroring process of coaching does not lend itself to labels or rules as we each have a tendency to mirror different aspects, qualities and experiences in others.
While recently interviewing Dr. Patrick Williams he pointed out the fact that the 15 ICF proficiencies have stood the test of time. With that said, doesn’t it stand to reason that any theory embracing in part or whole the 15 ICF proficiencies would be effective.
My point here is how far do we really need to go as a profession to provide evidence based case studies? With that said I do appreciate that there will be those who will dig deep into this aspect of coaching and know we will all benefit. Yet, I don’t know that it is required to insure a sustainable lifetime for coaching as a profession.
Leonardo I’m with you, I don’t see what you’re sharing as something that will create difference and separation. I only see that occurring when there is an agenda at play.
Thanks for your thoughts,
James
I’m with you. I do not think that the “case study” is sufficient to withstand the test of the effectiveness of coaching. On the other hand, I think there is nothing more practical than a good and correct theory.
What a great dialogue. James, I agree that the intention and focus (or agenda) is what creates the outcome – which can be separation and difference, or inclusion and collaboration, or something in between. This is where we as coaches can influence by being clear on our intention and focus, and supporting our clients to be clear.
As coaches, we can also have a foundation of theory and models from which to coach. I see intention, focus, theories and models as important for effective coaching.
I ran across your article and the “Brian Tracy (1944- )” at the beginning made me smile and I thought that Brian Tracy is doing an amazing job of living the “-” dash.
He is one of my mentors, and he has greatly influenced my life. And it’s my mission to Pay It Forward to help others.
I recently partnered with Brian in marketing his new Internet video training site iLearningGlobal http://www.ilearningglobal.com
Now I’m helping others plug into this revolutionary coaching resource as well.
Thanks for sharing the article Vicki.
David