Spirit – It was about attitude, character and engagement

Spirit

Richard looked for spirit, talent and potential. Perhaps surprisingly, this wasn’t first and foremost about knowledge, skills and experience. It was about attitude, character and engagement. Get the right people on board, the right team in place, and almost anything becomes possible. This made interviews intriguing. One person would try hard to impress based on what they had done and achieved. Another would convey humility and courage: ‘I’ll do whatever it takes to succeed.’ If the spirit was genuine, the sentiment was real, the latter person could leave with the offer of a job.

It made performance conversations interesting too. Rather than ‘I’ve done this, or that, it focused on spirit and contribution. ‘This is what I’ve made possible, including for others. This is what I’ve learned, including from others. This is how I aim to develop and to enable others. These are the steps I’ll take, alongside others.’ People took ownership of their own performance, recognized their interdependence with and impact on others, and proactively sought authentic feedback: ‘What do I do well? What would most improve my contribution in the future? How can I do this better next time?’

This Richard took a chance on me too and invited me into his leadership team at a global Christian non-governmental organization (NGO). He gave me a gift – Stephen Covey’s ‘The Speed of Trust’ – to signal his trust in me. That small gesture inspired me deeply and challenged me to reflect critically on my own spirit and practice. I created a simple grid with ‘can do/can’t do’ on one axis and ‘willing to do/not willing to do’ on the other, as a tool for honest conversations with God and others. It reminds me to fan the flame of the Spirit within and not to become jaded, fearful, or complacent.

What part does ‘spirit’ play in your coaching? How to you spot, nurture and help sustain it in others?

Nick Wright is a psychological coach, trainer and organization development (OD) consultant who is based in the UK and works internationally (www.nick-wright.com).

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