What is Transformation?

You can think of the kind of transformation described here as drawing new water out of your old well—by going deeper than you ever dipped before. The way to get your bucket deeper into your well is by taking on powerful questions, instead of jumping at attractive-looking answers. —John Scherer

Humans have the potential and deep desire to learn, grow and evolve. Transformation is a process of profound and radical change that arises from deep awareness and leads to fresh orientation and new direction. Transformation honors what is, while reaching deep within us to find what is emerging—the birthing of something brand new. Instead of denying the past or the present, the transformational process cradles or embraces our life force. Coaches act as midwives to the birthing process—the creation of something new and exciting.

Transformation happens when people are deeply seen, heard, understood and recognized for their gifts. Ironically, when we try to change people, they resist. In contrast, coaching helps people become more of who they already are. Simply witnessing the process and being fully present has a transformational impact.

In holistic coaching we create an essence-to-essence relationship of reciprocity. We look for and bring out the client’s essence and, at the same time, bring our own essence to the relationship. In this essence-to-essence relationship, both coach and client experience transformation. The coach is transformed just by witnessing the powerful shifts in the client. Naming what is happening in the moment on a physical, emotional and energetic level amplifies the transformation. Naming the impact the client has on the coach can serve as a source of inspiration.

Transformation is the change that happens within to bring people into greater alignment. For example, a young father wants to honor his values of family and responsibility, and at the same time he wants freedom. The exploration leads to transformation and a new way of being in the world. Transformation nearly always involves a change in pattern, be it a pattern of thinking or a pattern of behavior. Instead of looking for the big “aha” moment, we notice that transformation can happen in any moment.

Excerpt from Coaching for Transformation by Lasley, Kellogg, Michaels and Brown. 

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