The Gift of Reciprocity
In his book “Coaching: Evoking Excellence in Others”, James Flaherty quotes the Italian philosopher M.F. Sciacca:
“To communicate is to enter the other, ... without usurping… the univocal gift, without reciprocity, is not communication, but violation”.
I am struck by how relevant this is to our coaching:
We are not there to lead, instruct or fix.
We are there at the client’s invitation - to accompany.
To join them without taking over.
To be present and to listen without imposing interpretation or judgement.
To speak without closing down their meaning.
As coaches, we look to show restraint, presence, and self-awareness. When are present to our clients in this way, we are shaped by them as well.
And the gift of clarity, insight and understanding that follows is reciprocated
