I was coaching a new client this week – a director looking at a career move. She expressed excitement over a job posting which she shared with a colleague, who then asked her “Why would you want that job?” That response sharply dampened her interest, so she didn’t apply. When I asked her how she protects her aspirations from other’s negative input, she paused in a moment of recognition. I was reminded of a line from a Yeats poem: “Tread softly, because you tread on my dreams.” Without skipping a beat she recited the preceding line: “I have spread my dreams under your feet…” Wow! We found connection and resonance through a poem, and a source of motivation for her.
The outcome: She’s going to apply for that job! So, how do you protect your dreams from naysayers? Where do you have to be selective about sharing your aspirations?
Coaches: How do you help others protect their dreams?
(The quote is from Yates’ poem “Cloths of Heaven”).
Image credit: LauraEllenAnderson.blogspot.com
TRANSFORMATIVE COACH: ABBY YANOW 