Process As Teacher

Follow my posts to see how I use them as teacher. Then, develop your own systematic process to continually learn and sharpen your skills and knowledge.

The Kickass Koach Podcast turned four years old this week. In other words, I’m starting my fifth season with the 209th episode. It seemed fitting to focus on my process because since launching July 2, 2015, the process I use to produce my podcast has both expanded to other posts and proven an able mentor and teacher in my own journey.

The Wednesday video story on LinkedIn (expanded version) and Instagram (actually posted Thursday because of the FB/IG/WA outage this week) served as an opportunity for me to go to the experience or experiment that taught me how much a well crafted process could be a teacher. In the newsletter this week I expanded on how I employed the same principles to a huge project I accepted in addition to a full time role in an organization. Moreover, this experiment proved to be one of the most exhilarating times in my career.

Finally, this blog posts steps back to a 36,000 foot view of the concept as a way of offering a bigger perspective, in hopes this framing will make it easier for readers to apply it too.

How My Post Process Serves as Teacher

The idea for the podcast started percolating within me after a client commented during a coaching call about how he could listen to me all day. It reminded me about how often I was told the same thing from friends who said they loved listening to me tell stories. I got that skill from my dad. My sisters and I loved when he told us stories from the “old days”.

Once I decided I wanted to try my hand at podcasting I had to think about two things: the hardware/software and production requirements AND the focus of my content or subject matter. Reflecting back on my career and what I loved to do most was helpful. Additionally, thinking about what my clients struggled with most offered insight. I hired a podcast coach who had been a producer and on-air personality for CBC radio for years and she helped me frame my thinking and plan for the podcast, in addition to working on my voice.

It became crystal clear that mine was an advice show with purpose. I would use story and tips to support listeners in a quick weekly format. I quickly saw how this would support my own process in being ready for and able to meet my clients in a useful way when engaging privately.

The Concepts chosen – Insight

The first hurdle to clear, after setting up the recording, editing and publishing requirements for my podcast, was building a system for the content. The coach I hired scripted the first seven. I recorded them and she gave me significant amounts of feedback and coaching. Once I graduated and went on to do it myself, I dropped the scripting. I moved to a content calendar and chose themes so I could reflect, research and identify stories related to a theme that may run five to eight episodes. This really supported my own need to dig into content and models that support my clients. It was through this period, about a year, I saw the process begin to unfold with more clarity. I witnessed how this effort allowed me to be present in unique ways for each private client.

The multi-episode, theme-driven approach began to feel a bit restrictive after a year or so and I decided to shift to themes derived from insights sparked when working with clients, while engaging in research reviews or reading recommended books and from random noticing. I set up a system in my Evernote platform to identify possible themes. I would write a thought or two, add references to links, especially when it was the initially seed and added to them over time. At this moment I have more than 100 waiting to be flushed out.

When I choose the one for the hint, the week prior, it prompts me to watch for additional resources to support my reflections. I write the hint just before starting the theme for the week prior, resisting spending any more time consciously on it until after the Friday Blog post of the week prior is complete. THEN, my focus is on the chosen theme for a full week.

Reflection – Perspective Sought

Reflection is the heart of my process. My Evernote system supports my efforts to gather and connect insights. These connections, in turn, build perspective. I note the theme, the hint (once I’ve come that far), and then add all the different thoughts on the concept that come up over, some times weeks and months before it is even chosen. Once a theme is selected, usually eight days before the podcast drops I search my Evernote for related themes that may support me and I tag them together.

I believe, based on my experience with process as teacher, that this mix of exploration at the 36,000 foot view of a concept, the percolating under the surface for 8 days and then the zoning in for the very focus deep dive  on the material in the week of posts makes my learning richer and my retention of the insights and learning so much stronger.

References

The variety of references help make the learning in this process richer.  Three tiers combining, make it possible. The antecedent that sparks my interest. Followed by the reflection that builds connections between the insight and stories and other books or research. Wrapped up in the theme week that pulls together all the different threads that developed.

The source or reference points at the outset, antecedent, are the biggest surprise. I can be attending the opera, enjoying a party, watching a movie or interview, sitting in the sun at a Blue Jay game or even working out in the gym when I hear or think something that becomes a seed. It is typically this first reference point that initiates further exploration, influencing the early direction.

The Power of Walking With Another – Practice & Assessment

In the podcast episode I share the background story on what inspired me to use the phrase “walk with me”. The activity of walking is healthy and generative of course. Walking with another is supportive and energizing. Walking raises endorphins making us more resilient. It also clears the mind allowing us to be more open and receptive. Walking speaks to movement that is mindful and reflective. Walking alone is useful and walking with another, especially one who is engaging and focusing on the needs of their walking party, offers the power to expand every bit of the learning.

Connection & Collaboration

Belonging and social engagement is essential to build confidence and competence. Walking with partners who challenge, listen and support the growth of the people they serve is life altering. The depth of the connections formed that build self-awareness, learning and relationship may be profound. The power and impact of moving together through a process makes a significant impact on short and long term growth.

Enhancing the Power of Passion and Perseverance

Building the passion and perseverance that creates resilience in the face of obstacles requires effort and intention. A process is the healthiest and most productive way to extend effort and build intention to this end.

First, using a process to distinguish the focus of passion. Where is flow at it’s peak strength? What is the desired outcome and does it serve the identified values and goals along with contributing to the needs of society? Corporate social responsibility has become a consideration at executive planning tables largely because of the growing emphasis on passion and service aligned with profit. When, as individuals, we make similar considerations in our careers, we enhance our positive impact, passion and perseverance when challenges threaten our desired outcomes.

To be true to serving the personal and societal needs, a well developed process is essential. It’s the edge this more balanced approach offers that enhances the power and extends the influence of every action or intervention.

 

Finally, I combine the last two process steps (see the illustration) in my notations. Yet, they are are quite distinct. However, they’re both best exhibited, in my case, in the work I do with my clients. I put my learning process into practice when walking with my clients. Holding clients accountable and supporting their efforts and observing their growth is one of the clearest ways I assess the efficacy of my work. Hence it is also my best assessment.

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Process Informs – The Heart of the BYI System

My Bank Your Impact System is designed to be a journey deep within. It is a deep dive. It’s a bit like going scuba-diving for people who have only snorkeled before. A bit scaring, but full of marvelous discoveries – an adventure everyone wants to repeat. The journey expands perspective, aligning with my motto – “when you change the way you look at things, the things you look at change” (Max Planck).

At its core, the BYI System seeks to shed light on the participant’s strengths and values, realizing that everything they produce in their life bubbles out of them through the intervening limiting beliefs, attitudes, mindset, patterns and habits. By building a nurturing a life-long learning process one is better able to navigate their journey to self awareness.

The Bank Your Impact (BYI) System is about both developing and embedding self-awareness. Benefits of expanded resilience, connections built on understanding the impact of belonging and an ability to bolster a professional and authentic presence are foundational.

The current system incorporates 1:1 coaching, roundtable conversations; eventually I’ll add a neuro-social learning experience (currently only available in organizational contracts but will be added to the system for individual engagement in 2021).

My approach is based on the ICF (International Coaching Federation) standards. I’m meeting you (my clients) where you are, both as the coaching agreement begins, and in the moment that exists at the time of each conversation. Progress or growth is not a straight line. The ICA model is the framework for every conversation: Issue/Insight, Choice/Commitment, Action/Accountability. Over the past year I’ve been tightening the model to meet the needs of my clients.

 

Holding space to support my clients in:

• Developing meaningful insights
• Expanding/deepening perspective on those insights
• Building/designing a practice to try on new ways of being/seeing OR experiment for discovery
• Assessing progress, becoming agile in transfer of learning and application before developing additional insights

An organic experience

The experience is tailored around what you bring to each conversation, in my experience, there are common themes that arise including: self-awareness, mindfulness, mindset, communication, connections, and attitude. Self-awareness stands alone but is also a foundational theme. I have registered upwards of 40 sub-concepts that fit under each of these categories. I bring tools, skills and techniques to respond and guide our work together, informed by positive psychology, neuroscience, and management/leadership research.

 

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In April 2018, I was struck by, what felt like, a call of purpose; an insight of sorts. It inspired me to shift the focus of my practice. I’m now  walking with 30 somethings. People who are at a pivotal spot in life and career. Whether THERE by age or spirit, I want to walk with people at this place in their life. This is a time in life when we are natural SEEKERS. We’re ready to do some self exploration & find the real meaning of our life? It is also a time when we are more likely to get stuck and make poor choices.

 

 

 

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