Honoring thomas – Loving CoachVille

Posted by Dave Buck on February 12, 2009 under Top Story | 5 Comments to Read

February 11, 2003 was the day thomas (the small t is intentional) moved on to a bigger game in another realm of consciousness.  I suppose at some point in the remembrance of a man who made history you stop honoring the day he moved on and start honoring the day of his birth.

But we are not there yet.  At least, I am not.

That day – Feb. 11th 2003 – is moving into a twilight period for me; it seems like a lifetime ago and it seems like yesterday at the same time.  Thomas called me pretty much every day from the day we made our big connection in the Spring of 1997 until that fateful day.  But on that day, for a reason that I did not understand at the time but became abundantly clear soon thereafter, I called him. 

Taking care of the baby
We had just completed the Atlanta Full Practice event.  It was the second of two “passing of the torch events” that we had planned.  We had been co-leading the Certified Coach Intensive and the Full Practice Intensive for a year.  And he was ready to turn them over to me as was our practice.  We had co-lead our last Certified Coach Intensive in Miami in December 2002 so that baby was mine now.

He couldn’t watch so he left the room
Now in Atlanta in early February 2003 we would co-lead our last Full Practice intensive and then that baby would be mine too.  So he could move on to his next creations. 

Part of the plan in Atlanta was for me to lead part of the event solo.  He was supposed to watch and give me feedback   But he couldn’t do it.  When I was on the stage alone, he left the room- which I actually didn’t mind.  For some reason he couldn’t watch as he let it go.

The amazing thing about that weekend was our connection.  It had always been powerful, but it had reached a new height of enjoyment and depth of respect.  He had always been a Coach and like a big brother for me – at that event we felt more like partners.

The Phone Call
So two days later I was going for a walk and for some reason I grabbed my cell phone and called him.  Like I said, it was something I rarely did.  We talked for an hour with incredible enthusiasm about what we had accomplished with CoachVille and the impact we were having on the lives of Coaches.  And what we were planning to create in 2003.  It was magic.  A few hours later, he was gone.

Six years later, there are a few things I can say with certainty. 

The Bumpy Road
The first is to acknowledge that it has been a VERY BUMPY ROAD.  One truth I have learned about business is that the business is always a reflection of the consciousness of the owner.  While thomas and I were great partners we were also very different. So to make CV and Dave a match, both had to go through some major transformation.   Transformation is not always pretty and sometimes it is downright messy – but the end result is always a thing of beauty. (think caterpillar and butterfly)

After six years of great effort the good news is that CV is now on very solid ground and is growing again.  That feels good. 

Gratitude for My Coach
The second thing I know is that thomas was a GREAT Coach.  He always saw my potential and challenged me to live into his vision.  He left me with a BIG FAT CHALLENGE and I have grown so much in the past 6 years as a result. And since support always matches challenge, I have received support from LOTS of amazing people along the path.  As painful as it has been – I know you know about growing pains! – I would not trade it for anything.  I am so grateful for all of it.

LOVE and Honor
The third thing I can say for sure is that I LOVE CoachVille. I love what I am doing. I love what we are doing. I love who I’ve become.  I love who WE are becoming.  I love Coaches and I LOVE Coaching.  YES! A LOT of love.

The next 10 years are going to be a BIG Challenge and a BIG opportunity for the Coaching Profession as we enter the global economic winter.  We can lead as we coach the people of the world into the next Spring; And if we play our cards right make Coaching a mainstream profession. 

I KNOW I am strong and resilient and ready for winter based on my last six years!  I am not sure that I would be if not for this whole thomas and CV adventure.  I am ready to lead.

CV was thomas’ baby and of course he couldn’t watch as he turned it over to me.  So he left the room. 

I have loved this child like it was my own and… now it is.  I think this is the best way to honor thomas.

I am happy.  Every CV Member has a been a part of this adventure, so thanks for helping me raise this amazing child.  Let me know when you want your turn for baby sitting!

Coach Dave

Please share your thoughts!  I would love to know how you feel about this article.

Posted by Dave Buck on February 5, 2009 under Business Academy | Be the First to Comment

Week #5 The first 4 yeses

Getting to Yes

Session #5 Recap

Players Notice!!
The game is getting a little harder; that is by design.  So it is totally natural that the scores are going a bit lower.  In a few weeks they will rise back up as your certainty grows and you get into a new flow.

Review of the 7 Yeses – focusing in on Yes 1-4
Yes #1) How do you demonstrate that you know the game better than they do
Yes #2) How do you demonstrate that you can coach others to play the game
Yes #3) How do you demonstrate that some aspect of your life is something they can aspire to
Yes #4) How do you demonstrate that you “Get” them.  They have a s/he gets me and my situation experience.

Everything you have created in the first few sessions will give you ideas about how to create the YES experience.

Game projects…

Repeat Item

4) Talk to 3 people about your coaching fees (3 pts per person).  You don’t have to ask them to sign up but of course you can if you want to!  Just tell people.  Let the words come out of your mouth.  See how they feel when you say them.  You can do this spontaneously in conversations with people you meet this week.  Or you can connect with people specifically for the purposes of sharing your coaching fees with them. 

** Talking about your fees often will give you a lot more certainty.  It will enable you to get comfortable about your current price point.

New Item

5) Getting To Yes! Playbook Part 3.  In this play book you will design your recruiting method.  This is everything you do from the moment someone becomes a prospect for your coaching services to the moment they say YES or No.  The playbook provides an outline for the method that worked for me.  Fill it in to develop your method.  Remember, this may be just a starting point; eventually you may develop your own method.

** This is a powerful exercise.  Fill in as much as you can and we will play with it together in Class on Monday and on Friday in the Open Bridge.

Keep making offers!

Feedback requested via email or comment on CoachBlog for Session #5

1) Is it getting easier or harder to make offers and get yeses?  Explain.

2) How do you feel when you talk to people about your coaching fees?  What thoughts, emotions, sensations come up for you during the experience?

3 Pursuits of modern coaching panel

Posted by Dave Buck on February 2, 2009 under CoachVille Caffeine | Be the First to Comment

Today on CV Caffeine I had an extraordinary conversation with two wise and talented coaches: Coach Beth Bradfish www.bethbradfish.com) from Chicago and Coach Lise Janelle (www.thevibrantlifecoach.com) from Toronto.

We set out to discuss the 3 pursuits of modern coaching but got so into it that we only covered the first two!
The Pursuit of Human Greatness
The Pursuit of Energy Flow

Both coaches shared great examples of how these pursuits are playing out in their work with clients.  It was very inspiring.

CoachVille members can listen to the show right on the CV Members Only Home Page.

Enjoy!
CV Caffeine.
World Headquarters for the Inspiration Economy