Here I am with my first Coach in nineteen-fifty-something. I’m lucky enough to still have this guy in my life, and I still learn things from him. I’ve learned from his example as a solid business success, and as a man who is about to enter his sixty-second year married to his best friend, still having fun. And I’ve also learned from his style I remember one summer evening a ...

I’ve always been intrigued with the idea of getting a horse to like me. Or trust me. Or teach me. Or not bite me. We were horse camping a couple of weeks ago and I tried out some of my theories on this big, smart, opinionated mare. I noticed in my three days with her that we did best when I told her where I wanted to go, but then trusted her wisdom about our pace and possible next ste...

Talented people keep showing up in my office on the dock, on their way to and through the big changes in their lives. And word I find myself using with them as they deepen their character, leadership and goals is the word, Grace. When I was a kid, Grace was used of an American princess (also what my brother would say if I tripped). Since then, I’ve heard Grace used to describe God’...

As a veteran coach, counselor and consultant I hear people ask themselves that question a lot. Maybe not out loud, but a lot. And when we do (I include myself here), it’s usually related to how life could be even more satisfying than it is. Even if you’re great at living each moment with gratitude and in line with your values, there are questions that live in your soul, inviting your...

As a veteran coach, counselor and consultant I hear people ask themselves that question a lot. Maybe not out loud, but a lot. And when we do (I include myself here), it’s usually related to how we can live with more satisfaction and generosity than ever. Usually when people call to work with me as a coach, they’re asking one or more of the big questions and, along with it, “wha...

As a veteran coach, counselor and consultant I hear people ask themselves that question a lot. Maybe not out loud, but a lot. And when we do (I include myself here), it’s usually related to how we can live with more satisfaction and generosity than ever. “What will you do next?” is usually related to life’s big questions. This spring I’m thinking about five. In my...

In my most recent newsletters I’ve talked about the fact that even if you’re great at living each moment with gratitude and in line with your values, big questions live in your soul, inviting your attention and focus—especially after a couple of decades of living as a grown-up. This spring, with the help of my clients, I’m thinking about five of the biggest questions and ...

OK, TSA hasn’t asked my opinion, but if they did, I’d have three coachy hunches for their next round of training. Coachy Hunch #1. Look us in the eye. Watch our body language. Learn about listening to your gut. I know you’re supposed to watch the ex-ray machine and make us take off our shoes and the rest of the drill and that sometimes when you look at us we don’t look ve...

Someone told me this week that she had figured out a good gift for a friend who’s going through a tough time this Christmas. “I made a list of the things I’m good at,” she said, “And I offered it to her.” Her story is a parable of one of the central dramas of our lives: to find out what we’re good at, and then to be generous with what we discover. My h...

Coaching has been defined as a profession for only about fifteen years–but everyone knows that coaches have always been a part of the human experience. Coaches today reflect the spectrum of what they have always been: Sages, story-tellers, ministers, teachers, counselors, philosophers, mystics, gurus, managers, advisors, shepherds, spiritual directors, consultants, confidantes, leaders and...