Comments on: Delivering a “Coaching Toolbox” to the Remote Villages of the World

By: Patrick Williams

Patrick Williams — Mon, 29 Mar 2010 14:43:06 +0000

HI Elta…i would love to talk to you or email

how do i contact you ..please write me at pat@coachingtheglobalvillage.org

By: Zarine Jacob

Zarine Jacob — Mon, 29 Mar 2010 13:34:27 +0000

Pat, I’m very inspired by what you are doing. What a great idea. I’m based in the UK but in India twice a year or so, in the Bangalore-Kerala area usually. Please let me know if I can help in any way during my visits there.

By: Elta

Elta — Thu, 25 Mar 2010 15:23:49 +0000

Pat, I started 40 years ago, cutting my philanthropic teeth in the communities of Sharpeville, in the Vaal Triangle & Alexandra – and lately the areas surrounding Pretoria.

I sure know the feeling of keeping the fire at least smoldering! If I can do some more or to reflect on lessons learnt in the trenches – please let me know (I’ve also been all over Africa – Madagascar included) or you can mail me direct.

By: Patrick Williams

Patrick Williams — Thu, 25 Mar 2010 13:37:04 +0000

Thanks for the encouragement. I have been at this since 2005! But I am keeping the fire at least smoldering, ready to burst up in flames when the time is right.

By: Elta

Elta — Thu, 25 Mar 2010 12:50:37 +0000

I thought long and hard before I decided to add my two cents worth. Firstly I think Pat Williams has an admirable mission….
The mission makes sense, Williams believes, even if the money isn’t there just yet. “I’m sitting here struggling as most start-ups. I picked the worst time in life to start a nonprofit, I think…it’s very difficult to get money. But I’m optimistic.”
Pat, let me share a secret: I have been in the nonprofit space for many years – and the money is never there (or I don’t know how to get it whilst doing the work in the remote areas). No money, no marketing agent.
I want to encourage you to continue – because it is when we look back over the years, reflect on the Star-fish story and say “I made a difference to this / that one” — that is when we get encouraged to do it again and again. One caveat though – make sure you have a strong support base – it’s sure is very often a long, arduous and lonely road.
Bless you and take heart Pat, Stay optimistic – look at the pearls of wisdom above.

By: Patrick Williams

Patrick Williams — Thu, 25 Mar 2010 10:38:06 +0000

Christine. I love the idea of your book and appreciate your comments. Our team of two women will be returning to Nepal in September. They are not there now, but are doing a return visit after a training last year. We will have the project on our website soon and do need funding. We welcome any donations at http://www.CoachingTheGlobalVillage.org as we have other projects coming up in Camaroon Africa, Tanzania, and Ghan.

By: Christine Forest

Christine Forest — Wed, 24 Mar 2010 21:37:58 +0000

It is fascinating to see how coaching becomes a recognized viable tool for people to improve their lives. Why wouldn’t people from remote villages impart into the wisdom of life coaching? Especially now that the technology is making communication so much more easier.
As the matter of fact, I am planning a trip to Nepal in the beginning of May. As a psychiatrist and a certified life coach, I would like, if I may, to stop by and visit with the Nepal team if there is anyone from the Coaching Village in Nepal before October. My trip is a research trip for my upcoming book, Better Than Cured, talking about how to combine psychotherapy, life coaching, Buddhist spirituality and psychiatric medications (if needed) to help people heal and improve their lives at multiple levels.

If I could help in any way, I would be happy to do it. Please let me know.

By: Alfreda R. McCray

Alfreda R. McCray — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 14:37:34 +0000

I really enjoyed this article and appreciate the way that coaching has traversed the nonprofit sector to improve the lives of people around the globe. This article illustrated the impact and challenges of coaching in this light. I just wanted to share a resource for readers interested in doing more work in the nonprofit sector either as a nonprofit coach or working with other nonprofit organizations which is the Coaching and Philanthropy Project organized by CompassPoint Nonprofit Services. This might be a good forum to further investigate the integration of the important work of coaching into the nonprofit sector. http://www.coachingnonprofits.org/welcome.htm

Cheers!
Alfreda R.McCray

By: Patrick Williams

Patrick Williams — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 13:56:36 +0000

The skills that will go in our toolbox for Coaching the Global Village include:

Here are the skills that would be taught , so those who learn the ‘coach approach’ could then pass it on to others in a mentoring/coaching relationship AND in everyday communication that encourages and inspires dreams to come alive!!!

Coaching Skills taught: (in a one to two day training)

1. Presence…This is where it all begins. When learning to coach someone else, be really present and focused on the speaker and encourage them to be focused in the moment, speaking about the future they desire or changes they want to make

2. Purposeful listening. This starts with presence and is a focused listening that does not look for problems, but listens for the speakers’ desired future. What do they want? What do they really want? What is being said between the words…….the spaces between the notes as in beautiful music?

3. Appreciative Inquiry. The field of AI begins with what is working well and expanding from there.

4. Focus on strengths and coach the ‘gap’ between where they are and where they want to be. Strengths can be acknowledged and new skills needed can be identified to learn or to get support from others with different strengths.

5.. Ask more questions and avoid giving answers or advice.. Coaching is identified by open ended questions that lead to new thinking.

6. Possibility thinking. A form of ‘brain storming” but encourages the person being coached (the coachee) to come up with new ideas, strategies, etc, and after that then the coach can add some other possibilities without giving solutions nor advice.

7. Maintain curiosity and wonder. A good coach asks questions and avoids advice. A great coach maintains a curiosity and wonder that supports thinking outside the box or normal limitations that are most common when one feels stuck or unable to make changes alone.

8. Creating commitments and accountability. Great coaching does not end until the coach solicits commitments and actions that the coachee agrees to , with a method to measure success and create accountability.

9 Improving responsibility….the ability to respond…..most of us naturally ‘react” and learning to stop, breathe , and think of other actions teaches us to see multiple potential responses beyond the initial reaction to a life event or challenge.

10. Follow through and follow up. Keeping the “fire burning” is one of the keys to coaching. Coaching helps results become sustainable over time and having villagers and staff trained in the coach approach keeps the conversation alive and the changes ongoing. When progress stalls or obstacles arise, coaching conversations can lead to breakthrough and transformation.

By: Julia Stewart

Julia Stewart — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 01:57:33 +0000

Coaching is changing the world. And as Thomas Leonard said, ‘Everyone’s a coach.’

Here are the 8 Foundation skills School of Coaching Mastery teaches to new coaches as well as non-coaches who want coaching skills:

1. It’s all about them
When you get out of their way, they can accomplish more.

2. Validate continuously
Research shows: A 4/1 ratio of Positive/Negative comments makes an amazing difference.

3. Be curious
Ask more than you tell.

4. Fine tune your antennae
Listen for and notice everything.

5. Prime the pump
Silence is an extraordinary tool.

6. Provide scaffolding
Build in systems that make accomplishment easier than failure.

7. Be Big
Greatness is contagious.

8. Have something to talk about
A little wisdom goes a long way.