A context for life and leadership.
Assisting organizations and individuals to change, grow and develop over the past 25 years has given MetaSystem Consulting Group the opportunity to identify certain consistent patterns in their operating systems. In keeping with our partnership approach to consulting, we have taken these common operating patterns of our clients and developed much of our coaching and consulting methodology around them.
We call these our MCG Operating Principles http://www.metacg.com/axioms.shtml. There are 10 of them.
Because of their particular relevance to getting into action and the fact that I have had personal experience with them this past week, I would like to share #'s 4 and 5 with you.
#4 Start at the beginning — or — Relationships, internal/external or leadership/management; begin at the moment of contact.
In an effort to expose the real causes of problems or reveal opportunities for organizations and individuals to evolve, we explore different layers. We have discovered time and again that if we dig deep enough, potential for both problems and opportunities were present at the very 'beginning'. Awareness of this alleviates a lot of expensive time spent on trying to fix recurring symptoms of a problem. Once you get down to the real causes, then these issues can be addressed and maintained. A band-aid will not cure a viral infection.
#5 Sensitivity to initial condition — or — The impact of the initial agreement is exponential.
This builds on #4. Whatever happens in the beginning just keeps on growing. If it is clarity and trust within a business deal, that firm foundation supports the partnership through thick and thin. If doubt and negativity accompany the launch of a new project or product, that same darkness seems to follow it throughout its usually problem fraught life. Building awareness of this condition into contracts and agreements creates firm foundations that keep business and relationships strong and on track producing amazing results.
I know this. I coach and consult from this place. Even so, this past week, I needed to revisit these words of wisdom.
In beginning a coaching relationship last month, for some reason, I decided to forgo the usual tools and framework that supports these principles. Both the client and I have been paying for it ever since.
I say the client because as a result of not paying attention to what was being revealed in the process, I became ineffectual as his coach, validating his feeling that there was not enough value in the relationship as well as his fear of true commitment to the process. And as #5 tells us, "whatever happens in the beginning just keeps on growing".
I am paying for it by playing into his patterns rather than helping him reveal them. It has also cost me a great deal of time and focus trying to get it all straight, if that is possible. Unfortunately, we are still in the process...
Upon reflection, I have to say a lot of this was probably due to money. Yes, in spite of so much work on developing my own awareness, maybe my insecurity and need for monetary 'safety' was the motivation behind this oversight. You know, just get it started and worry about the rest later. Then at least we will have the contract, and the money. I am wondering how many times I have to learn this one.
A great deal of my coaching comes from my own lessons in life. Therefore, as a result of my recent experience I offer you the opportunity to move into action from a place of clarity and awareness. Ask yourself:
- What are my assumptions around this action?
- What outcomes do I expect?
- Are these in alignment with other people involved in the action?
- What structures, agreements or contracts do I have in place to support the clarity of action and outcome?
- What agreed upon indicators do I have in place as milestones for success or trouble?
- Am I paying attention to what is happening from the moment of contact?
- What does this information tell me about this person or circumstance?
This sounds like coaching. But I also think it is a life thing.
