Co-creating Shared Futures

Philanthropy plays a critical role in bridging the social and economic gaps that the COVID-19 pandemic has intensified. As grant-makers review and plan their next normal strategies, coaches find themselves in a position to influence social impact by advocating greater inclusion and, thus, elevating the role of individuals in disadvantaged groups from passive beneficiaries into active and involved co-creators.

The relevance of coaching in post-pandemic recovery requires transcending the relationship between the coach and the client, as well as the agenda that the latter brings into the conversation. Any breakthrough that a client reaches has the potential to trigger a series of actions that can change entire communities for the better. Repeat this scenario with several more individuals, then the world might see communities working toward their own revival and sustainability. This multiplier effect of coaching builds the case on why its inclusion in development strategies makes a practical social investment in a period of economic downturn. At the same time, present circumstances call for coaches to reflect on how their work may bring impact in a time of building better.

Let us take a look at how coaches can add more value to society now:

1) Activate New Leaders

The enormity of the world’s challenges has exhausted many governments and agencies that usually roll out development interventions downward. Any alternative or addition may necessitate switching to a bottom-up approach where change will be led from the grassroots. In the Philippines, for example, incidental leaders emerged during the quarantine to form virtual communities and marketplaces that disseminate information, organize individual giving, and exchange goods and services locally. As priorities shift from survival to recovery in the coming months, coaches can contribute to the empowerment of a new generation of leaders by working with sponsors in helping individual clients—regardless of their gender, age, race and social standing—see their potential as change-makers within their spheres of influence.

2) Redefine Stakeholder Participation

With philanthropies investing more locally, stakeholder engagement may evolve from the consultations and dialogues commonly employed by donors to bring into fruition their own idea of progress. Coaches may facilitate conversations that are anchored on mutual trust, respect and equality, which are the building blocks of sustainable and equitable partnerships.

3) Accelerate Adaptation

As schools, workplaces and small businesses struggle to catch up with new ways of performing and relating with one another, coaches can help disadvantaged sectors adapt according to their own fit with resourcefulness and creativity, by complementing knowledge transfer initiatives, such as training and mentoring. The very essence of reflective inquiry leading to behavior change, asserted by Marcia Reynolds, MCC, can be felt now more than ever as the concept of knowledge transfer expands by translating individual and group learning into action.

4) Build Capabilities and Collective Resilience

Grassroots communities and organizations will benefit from coaching programs that help them re-organize their collective strengths and resources to more effectively address unforeseen challenges with less dependency on external aid. Instead of merely downloading solutions from a grant-maker’s manual, coaches can help groups and individuals introspect and with greater awareness, realize that they, too, have the power to own and change their situation.

 5) Inspire Hope and Optimism

How the world will look after COVID remains unknown (as of this writing), which subjects even the most resilient individuals to constant fear and worry. Coaches can help cultivate mental well-being and motivation by leading conversations that encourage others to see beyond their present situation and look forward to the future with greater courage, confidence and commitment.

Coaches have long been contributing to greater good by the inherent altruistic nature of coaching and its transformative effects. What is evident today is that recovery work will be massive, complex and dynamic. It will therefore need the collective effort of individuals, institutions and governments to shape a better future for all. Where old ways failed to reflect a diversity of views in communal consciousness and as disadvantaged groups struggle to find their voice and make themselves heard, coaches can be both the advocates of a shared human vision and partners in turning this vision into reality.