Coaches "R"
Us
In the
“Creating Room to Play” section of
our book (Chapter 13)
Clarence and I describe ways to develop right brain tactics.
Expanding on this, I invite playful brainstorming in a
Field Guide
exercise to devise metaphorical gifts you might give clients in
nine Enneagram-based case studies.
I was charmed
by coach John Porcari’s answers, in part because they’re so
different from my own and remind me of the great variety that’s
possible in coaching. With his permission, I offer John’s ideas
(in italics) in the hope they’ll stimulate your own thinking:
An
articulate, literate, and creative
One has lost three jobs
because of chastising others when they’re “wrong.”
Metaphorical gift: A
pair of rose-colored glasses or a magnifying glass, suggesting
the client notice what is good or magnify positive traits.
A
Two department head in
a social service agency mentors everyone who comes into her
department, but discourages promotions because it means people
would leave her. Metaphorical gift:
A dog leash, with the story
of the country dog and the city dog: “The country dog roams
freely, and you often will find him coming to sit by the master
on the porch – because the freedom engenders loyalty; in the
city the master holds the dog tightly on a leash, assuming the
dog would otherwise bolt and run. You want to be in a
relationship that builds country dog loyalty.”
A
Three keeps referring
to his work with you as a “rite of passage.” Metaphorical
gift: A big,
squeezy heart with a tiny ribbon on it, as a reminder to
remember that achievements are only a small change compared to
the big change of heart that’s possible.
A
Four moodily withdraws
from the reality of his organization’s aggressive, hierarchical
culture. Metaphorical gift: A
Teflon pan: “You can stay in the heat but you don’t have to have
any of the junk stick to you.”
An
extremely introverted Five
wants to do more “management by walking around” but finds it
difficult. Metaphorical gift:
A toy bomb, with the
inscription: "Prolonged time in office will trigger detonation!"
A
Six keeps himself
conflicted about his relationship with the woman who lives with
him. Sometimes he raves about her good points. At other times he
worries whether or not she loves him. Metaphorical gift:
A combination
pocket tape measure and level, with the suggestion that when
he’s “measuring” the success of the relationship and is
conflicted to look for the “balance” – not too high, not too
low.
A
Seven tends to become
defensive when you give her feedback. Metaphorical gift:
A life preserver:
“I’m not here to judge; I’m here to help.”
An
Eight is very
protective of his family but becomes outrageously angry if
challenged. When his wife tries to tell him their children are
intimidated, he says she’s over-reacting. Metaphorical gift:
A shepherd’s
shaft and the image of a shepherd holding a frightened lamb in
his arms, knowing the calm beating of his heart will calm the
lamb – with the inscription “Don’t let the beating of your voice
prevent your children from hearing the beating of your heart.”
A
Nine says it’s
impossible for her to stay focused and finish things she’s
started because she has ADD. Metaphorical gift:
A mocked-up doctor’s
prescription page or a prescription bottle with the
instructions: “Take two pauses and come back in five minutes.”
