I originally thought about calling this column “The Spiritual Coach” and as I thought about what I wanted to share through this column, that didn’t seem right. To me, that related to an identity statement around the coach, which whilst not a bad thing, didn’t quite fit with my message. When I thought about a Spiritual Coach, it conjured images of meditating and recommending to clients “The Art of Happiness” by the Dalai Lama and Howard Cutler. Those are also not bad things, however, I want to keep things clear. If I write a column called The Spiritual Coach, it implies someone at a much higher level of consciousness than I, and hence, would not want to give the impression I have reached a place I have not.
Compassionate Coaching
In this column, I want to convey to you how to develop your compassionate side and how to build your ability to connect with yourself and others. That stage, I do feel I have reached in my exploration of coaching for the past 23 years. I want to share the value of nurturing and expanding your ability to be intuitive and trusting of your own deep inner knowing. In turn, the more you become in touch with your inner knowing, the more you enable others to tune into theirs.
Hence, I have gone with The Compassionate Coach, which can imply compassion with others as well as with self. It also allows me to introduce the concept of the need to be ‘Spiritually Intelligent”(SQ) in order to be able to be a Compassionate Coach.
Spiritual Intelligence for Coaches
Coaching another person to tap their deeper values and wisdom requires the coach to be ‘Spiritually Intelligent”(SQ) which is an emerging field that is evolving and inspiring.
My introduction to this wonderful work came by trusting my own intuition at an International Coaching Federation (ICF) Conference in 2019. Whilst sitting in a session that was not going to stretch me, I had a loud voice in my head telling me to duck out and go to the session entitled “The 21 Skills of Spiritual Intelligence” in the opposite conference room.
By following my intuition that day, I ended up in a session that was so inspiring. It introduced me to the wonderful work of Cindy Wigglesworth, a pioneer in the field of SQ. The session was conducted by Simon Blackhall and he shared a powerful presentation on how to bring SQ into our coaching. Cindy defines SQ as “the ability to behave with wisdom and compassion (love), while maintaining inner and outer peace, regardless of the situation”
Compassion and Wisdom at all Times
Kathy McKenzie
Kathy has been a pioneer in the coaching industry in Australia and loves being part of an ever-evolving coaching community. Getting paid to connect and care for people is her ideal way to fill in a day. In 2021 Kathy achieved her ICF Master Certified Coach (MCC) qualification and managed to transition to an online model, surprising even herself with what can be achieved over Zoom. She has found her happy place by moving to paradise, and in spite of having always avoided ironing, now has a wardrobe full of linen that begs to be ironed but gets a shake instead.
Kathy McKenzie
Kathy has been a pioneer in the coaching industry in Australia and loves being part of an ever-evolving coaching community. Getting paid to connect and care for people is her ideal way to fill in a day. In 2021 Kathy achieved her ICF Master Certified Coach (MCC) qualification and managed to transition to an online model, surprising even herself with what can be achieved over Zoom. She has found her happy place by moving to paradise, and in spite of having always avoided ironing, now has a wardrobe full of linen that begs to be ironed but gets a shake instead.
Sign up to get a weekly roundup of new articles
>> YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE
Planning For Your 6 Life Stages
It’s OK to Pivot Your Coaching Business
