Metaphor and Clean Language
On the 9th of January 2019, I had the great pleasure to run a workshop on “Metaphors & Clean Language” with ICF Lebanese chapter in Beirut.
One week before the arranged date, I didn’t know if the workshop would happen or not. Good surprise. It happened.
This is not the first time I am convening a workshop. I already did it several time. Even though, I was a little nervous, asking myself if this workshop would “work”, if attendees would trust me. I decided to stay calm. I had prepared my workshop and still working on it. I said to myself, “Be yourself, trust yourself and let it happen.”
It was a great experience as a Coach. These two hours taught me more about my presence as a Coach, my ability to meet others, overall about myself. In addition, once more, I’ve been surprised about how things can emerge from interactions with others. Keeping the contact alive is a day to day work. Improving consciousness in our day to day experiences is a day to day training.
The group was small: Nine people attended the workshop.
While people arriving, I felt like a sort of agitation and excitement coming from the group. I felt agitated myself. For a few seconds, I was nervous, questions were running into my head, I was feeling hot and cold at the same time. Breathing effectively helped me get through my anxiety.
Attendees, most Coaches, arrived with their own expectations: Some of them had already read about Metaphors & Clean Language and knew a little about the practice. Some of them didn’t, but were very curious about it, and needed specific and immediate answers. Others simply wanted to add a new skill to their practice. All those reasons were legitimate.
My one and only goal was to give a small taste of this practice by suggesting a concrete experience. The only way to comprehend what it is.
Once the theoretical part of my workshop over, I introduced the experience. My topic was very simple: “Your year 2019”.
I made this simple choice consciously. I believe that staying simple helps going straight to the point, right to the core. I was right.
While conducting the first exercise, I saw each one of the attendees diving little by little in the experience. Connected to themselves.
As a Coach, I had to trust and follow the process, observe each person, take notes on what was happening and let everyone stay in their own experience.
What a great moment!
No one was indifferent. Everyone noticed how being simple helps going straight to the point, how simple questions can be powerful.
When came the time for words of the end, what was shared was joyful.
Everyone lived its own experience, with its own sensations, thoughts & emotions.
At the end of the workshop, I looked at everyone: faces and bodies were relaxed. the group was calm. Curiosity is still alive.
During the workshop, I saw a real change from the beginning to the end.
No doubt, this workshop was a success.
Finally, I keep in mind that, as a Professional Coach, the most important thing while running a workshop or an individual session is to be fully present.
Thank you to all who attended the workshop. I have learned a lot! What about you?
I am looking forward to run new workshops very soon.
The opportunity to live unique experiences, enhance your creativity and learn more about yourself.