Why I Become An Innovation Coach (Part 2) » khairul anwar
In Part 2, I wish to share more intimate reasons Why I Become An Innovation Coach.
I play sports – basketball and football. I was part of the school team as right guard and centre (basketball) and full back and goalkeeper (football). In sports, in every game there was a clear goal – single and motivating – to win the game and eventually the championship.
We trained hard, we learned to work with each other in the team and we listened to our coach. We know our enemies by studying them so much so we might know more about them than ourselves. We check the field our court location we are playing to adapt during the game play.
If we win, it is fun. But when we lost, we got screwed, upset and frustrated. Of course there’s some blame game going around for a while because we know we don’t play it well. It could be the other mate, or it could be ourselves. We need to mend it before the next game.
Those who play sports, would be able to relate to this. I still play basketball to this day with my team under veteran category. We went into a competition last year, we didn’t finished last. That’s a huge relief. 😉
Learning from sports, here’s the other four reasons why I become an Innovation Coach:
1. Windows to replace mirrors
There’s so much advantage one has when you are external to the problems. As a coach, I am detached. I am not in the maze or riddle. I could help my clients because I am outside. I guide each of them, hand hold to their projects and innovation success.
When someone is inside the problem, we have a lot of emotion going into it. As a coach I help them looking from windows not mirrors. When you are emotionally charged, you are looking at mirrors. You can’t see way out. Imagine overlooking from a window, that’s how beautiful it is.
2. Sense of wonder
I used to see things as black or white. It helps but eventually life becomes dull. There should a sense of wonder to get things done, it will be fantastic and fascinating. Because I am multi-disciplinary, I share stories from various sources – did you know there’s a concept in Japan called Ikigai?
In return I also get to hear their stories. The little moments of their lives that brought them here. Half the time, many of them shed tears when they share their life stories – they were grateful. Some cries because they suddenly realized how much they have changed – for good or worse.
Doing admirable things in a different way gives one a great advantage. No successful life is created by only one person.
3. It’s a business
I tried my hands on several other businesses previously. Started a cafe, tried engineering product design (a device and women shoe), sold cookies via direct selling, started mowing lawn service, online digital postcards and few others. None worked out well.
In some situation, I borrowed money from faithful friends to start those businesses. I didn’t make it, yet I repaid back in full. I came clean and explained my low points, they understood and supported by giving me time to pay instalments. This training and coaching business happened to fit quite well (so far). I am blessed.
4. Self respect and dignity
Coaching as a discipline isn’t for everybody. To be a successful coach I have to practice what I preached and I have to learn to be sincere with whom coach. I have to have self respect and dignity in being honest, firm and sense of responsibility in all my interactions.
In some areas when I am not in the best knowledge or skills, I must admit it and able to find help. I also learned to say “no” to things that I don’t value instead of saying “yes” to please others. When you are tired, get some rest. If you had been in my workshops, you probably have heard me saying, “Work can wait. Bosses can wait.”
Go coaching!
Hope this little sharing inspire your own mission and life goals. For brickbats, just reach out to me at [email protected]