The process of coaching, especially the peaks and valleys reminds me of the process of forge welding metals.
In the process of forge welding, metal is heated to a very high temperature, to a peak energy point. At this peak energy point the metal actually loses its magnetism and this is where the magic starts! The molecules of the metal lose their bonds and begin to move around freely. With well placed blows of his/her hammer a blacksmith can forge weld pieces of metal together at this peak energy point and the molecules of the different pieces of metal will mix and combine and transform the pieces of metal into a new form.
Once this transformation takes place at the peak energy point, the metal is carefully quenched and prepared for the process of annealing. The annealing process allows the newly transformed metals to quietly and evenly cool down so that the natural magnetism of the metals returns and the molecules of the combined metals integrate and bond in their newly formed positions. At the valley of the cool down and integration process, the newly transformed metal returns to room temperature and the bonding is complete!
A skilled blacksmith can forge weld metal so excellently it is almost impossible for the untrained eye to tell where the forge weld has been made in the piece of metal. This is one part of the process of how Damascus steel is made, one of the strongest steels known to man!
In life, we are constantly rising to peaks of transformation and descending to valleys of integration. The peaks and valleys are a continuum, both are necessary parts of the cycle of growth and transformation.
As coaches we serve our clients well when we help support them to strive and take action, to generate the necessary heat, be able to withstand it and stay on course to reach new peaks of transformation.
We serve our clients well to be there with them and for them at the peak, to help guide them, so they may strike their own hammer blow for lasting change at the precise moment.
Likewise, we serve our clients well when we help support them to descend quietly, without judgment or reaction, to the necessary valley, giving them the time and space needed to cool down and quietly integrate their peak transformation.
A cycle of rising to a peak of positive transformation and then descending to a valley of positive integration can produce a circle of bringing many positive, enduring changes into a client’s life, each one struck by the client’s own hammer of empowerment.
To me, this is a very positive use of coaching as a tool for positive, lasting changes.
Bruce Paye
