THE
COLLINS
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WHY I CHOSE COACHINg
I’m not sure where I heard it or read it, but some wise person said, “It can take a tragedy to change one’s course in life.” The death of my seventeen-year-old son did just that, however, I didn’t realize it right away.
Grief took me to a place of deep reflection and questioning. As a way of coming to terms with grief, I self published a book of my son’s many poems, short stories, artwork, and a journal he kept while he traveled and lived amongst a tribe in Mongolia, which according to him, was a life changing event. I was amazed at how much he had accomplished in his 17 years. The process of re-typing his words brought me to a new understanding of his world, something that I had missed in the day-to-day distractions of our lives and living together. I saw him fully and honestly without the filters of my parenting biases. In such a powerful and profound way, I questioned whether I was connecting and engaging in my other relationships, seeing others truly and honestly.
Creating this book made me realize how quickly my life was passing me by. I reflected on my place in life in the midst of working in an industry in which I grew up and became a successful leader. I began to feel that there was more for me to do.
I spent the next four years reading, learning, having conversations, exploring, traveling, and finding my way. I became intrigued with Neuroscience and the workings of the brain through the Neuroleadership Institute and recently with Judith Glazer and her coaching course, C-IQ for Coaches. I discovered the Enneagram, one of the most powerful and insightful tools for understanding our inner motivations. The combination of brain science and the Enneagram work provided me with a framework to see myself and to see others at a deeper and more objective level.
My passion for my new knowledge grew and after 24 years with the same company and safe environment I decided to leave at the end of 2015. I knew at that point that my inner motivation and purpose in this world was to guide others to see themselves for who they are and through inquiry, and facilitate insights so that they would be able to accomplish their given purpose in their personal and business lives.