“ We live with our archetypes, but can we live in them? “
Poul Anderson, writter
The year 2022 was incredibly eventful! In addition to the consequences of the strong geostrategic impact on many of my clients, I faced several challenges, including the task of making time to organize my wedding, presiding over Simacs with the PSF title, the release of a collective work on the societal role of coaching, an acroYoga performance for the 20th anniversary of the Palais de Tokyo, all of this on top of my daily job of executive coaching.
As I’ve enjoyed doing for a few years now, I will share with you my realizations and the lessons I drew from 2022.
Finding meaning in my actions during challenging times has been crucial for me.
- I’ve been promoting our wonderful profession of coach and supervisor throughout the year. My societal commitment within SIMACS, the Interprofessional Union of Accompaniment, Coaching, and Supervision Professions, has been significant: I dedicated 2 to 3 hours per day to structure, imbue ethics, formalize clear and transparent governance, and prepare for the future by creating working groups and committees on the following topics:
- The development of digital tools in coaching and the rise of platforms.
- Strengthening the understanding of CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility) among coaches, supervisors, and mentors to enhance the societal role of our support. »
- I cannot tolerate homophobia, and I am therefore very proud to have written a case study about coaching a gay leader in an unwelcoming environment. This case is one of those featured in the collective book to which I contributed: “15 Explained Coaching Cases” published by DUNOD editions. I regularly support leaders with unique personalities, not necessarily conforming to the norm, and I am very proud to contribute to enhancing inclusive leadership.
Self ecology
- My major learning of the year was to accept losing a part of my personal balance in favor of purpose. My commitment to SIMACS, as well as the increasing demands from my clients, especially the urgency in certain highly complex situations, completely disrupted my schedule. I had to stop playing ping pong, drastically reduce sports, lunches, and quality exchange moments to fully engage in urgent coaching or complex M&A issues. Fortunately, my deeply ingrained morning routines (thanks to Miracle Morning), my family balance with my blended family, my supportive circle of friends, and the fantastic Be&Lead team allowed me to navigate through this period without major difficulties.
Growing with archetypes and role models
- There are three ways to escape the present when it becomes too difficult to bear: delving into the past with ‘it was better before,’ seeking elsewhere with ‘the grass is greener on the other side,’ or leaping into the future with ‘the future will be better tomorrow.’
I’ve observed that the most effective approach in a rapidly changing world is to make projections. Thus, I’ve confirmed two major role models who inspire me daily. The first is Clint Eastwood, who skillfully reinvented himself, enjoying a rich and profound second career as a film director and producer. The second is Mick Jagger, who remains alert and fit despite his bad boy image (his father was a sports coach) and continues to inspire crowds with his artistic talent, without truly reinventing himself, in the end.
- In VUCA (Volatile, Uncertain, Complex, Ambiguous) periods, or rather BANI (Brittle, Anxiety, Nonlinear, Incomprehensible), knowing how to investigate in case of a problem is crucial. In these circumstances, my two role models are Patrick Jane for his ability to seek the truth through mentalist techniques (calibration, body reading…) and Inspector Colombo for his attention to detail and his ability to ask ‘casual’ questions without ever letting go. Patrick and Colombo are my best friends and allies in guiding my clients through clarifying the complex situations they face.
Growing the business and reinventing oneself
- The market is moving towards an increasing demand for certifications. After obtaining the Omind Neurotechonolgies certification in 2021, I decided to become certified in Gallup Clifton StrengthsFinder, even though I was already familiar with the power of this tool that I had been using daily for 5 years. I am currently in the process of renewing my supervisor certification with PSF, the federation of professional supervisors.
- Over the past few years, my efforts have primarily focused on coaching executives, which involves assisting them in their growth or reinvention.
Today, I am increasingly moving towards providing ongoing support through supervision (or executive reflection) for leaders who need a sparring partner to maintain a lasting balance between enjoyment and success. Executives share with coaches the need for gaining perspective, self-reflection (time to reflect), and exchanges with a peer who understands them and is not directly involved.
- In contexts of mergers or partnerships, I find myself increasingly in the role of a system coach or shadow coach for the acquiring party. I guide executive teams in navigating the intricacies of the personalities of leaders within the acquired company, fostering a holistic and systemic perspective that integrates individual traits and cultural differences to aid in the success of the merger or partnership. This is a realm of true complexity, involving leaders’ egos, the challenge of swiftly evolving a culture, and financial stakes in business growth.
- After the development of soft skills and inner skills (how we take care of ourselves, our thoughts, our bodies, and our energy), I am delighted to witness the emergence of mad skills—those unconventional competencies that allow us to embrace who we are and our differences. The engineer within me also revels in the advancement of rational coaching based on proven elements, potent psychometric tools, as well as the growth of cognitive neuroscience, which will be further accelerated by AI.
I thank all of you for increasingly reading my articles and providing me with valuable feedback on my writings and practices. I am especially grateful to the Simacs 2022 team and the Be&Lead team for their tremendous dedication, and of course, to our clients for entrusting us during this complex period.
I wish you a 2023 filled with learning, introspection, and, of course, health, love, sharing, and joy!
With passion, your trainer, coach, and/or supervisor,
Gilles
#transformation #together #care #leadership #executivecoaching #executivereflection