Folks,

Do you know anyone else, apart from me, that is an advice monster? You know the type. People who don’t know what the issue is but are sure they have the answer - quick to solve the first problem, not the real problem.

Last week, I discovered a question that changed my thinking about giving advice: Who owns the task? In coach development, many people who act as custodians; much like a bank benefits from looking after your money. But just as your money belongs to you, every development journey has just one owner.

I know what you are thinking. Who cares? It doesn’t matter - until the person you are talking to doesn't take your advice. Or until you realise you are drowning in other people’s work - then it matters.  

Various organisations, agencies, and actors are battling over who “owns the coach”, each vying for attention and trust. No trust, no attention. As more and more people become coaches, sports are finding out that control and compliance at scale are difficult - in the end, the student always picks the teacher. 

I’m considering hosting a Zoom call where we can practice coaching. You’ll get to experience both sides - sometimes asking questions, and sometimes exploring your challenges out loud. It’s amazing how often answers emerge simply from having the space to think aloud, free from the advice monster. 

If you believe this could be beneficial, please reach out. If there's sufficient interest, I'll schedule a practice session on Zoom or, if you prefer, in person. Let's tame the advice monster together.

To be continued,

Simon