One Collaborative Community
March is a month of renewal for our membership, and perhaps it is the moment that we make a quick assessment of the past year’s offering: what it was worth, what I learned, who I met and so on. Probably the following question goes through our heads: Was it worth the investment? For some colleagues in unfavorable economic contexts, this investment weighs heavily on their budgets, and they are still on board. In this sense, I would like to share with you my perspective on the subject.
To start, we need to look at what an association is. An association is an organization resulting from the legal meeting between two or more persons (in our case, we are already more than 30,000 around the world) with or without legal personality, a nonprofit to achieve a common goal. In other words, the association enhances the competitiveness of its participants who have decided to cooperate and, consequently, increase their opportunities for individual and collective professional growth.
In ICF, we think big. Our mission and vision are “advancing the coaching profession so coaching becomes an integral part of society. Our members lead this journey by representing the highest quality in professional coaching.” Notice that our members lead a journey—you lead, all of us, together. ICF’s survival and success will depend on our ability to understand and appreciate your integration, cooperation, interconnection and mutual accountability that are the demands of the new integrated humanity that the global world needs.
I am very proud to belong to this team! What strikes me most about this phenomenon is our ability to leave a competitive market model when we are together. We are all coaches and compete fiercely for customers; however, when we sit together in a chapter meeting or participate in a webinar, we are collaborative and sublimate competitiveness. Of course, we know that there are rivalries, our egos and our vanities, but all this become too small in the face of our noble mission.
As citizens of the world, we realize that we are not allowed continue in a struggle for the survival of the fittest, but that we need a less competitive and more collaborative society. I humbly believe that our network has this strength. We know that there are many tangible justifications for you to renew your membership, but I do not believe that this decision-making logic should be based on the mindset of what I get as a member of ICF, but in fact, what I am able to offer to my community and to our ICF!
José Augusto Figueiredo, ACC
José Augusto Figueiredo, ACC, has more than two decades of multinational business experience. He is currently president for Lee Hecht Harrison in Brazil and Executive Vice President for LHH in Latin America. He also serves as an Executive Coach for CEOs and consultant for cultural transformation through LHH. José is deeply committed to team-building and people integration, reinforced by enthusiasm and motivation, facilitating the pursuit of synergy, timely problem-solving, and positive social and financial outcomes. An ICF Member since 2009, José is past president of ICF Brazil and has served on the regional board for ICF Latin America. He is currently a Director of the ICF Global Board.
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Jose, Thanks for your perspective! When I was an early leader in my chapter – gosh, that was 13 years ago – I was mentored by the current chapter president. She told me that one of the best gifts of service on the board would be the friendships that come out of it. She helped me shift my perspective from “having to take my turn” to becoming a part of a generous part of the chapter. And she was so right. Some of my dearest friends and professional advocates are the people I’ve had the honor of serving with. We support one another through ups in downs in our lives and we share business with one another. In fact, my network of ICF coaching colleagues all over the world have become the place I go to send potential clients that I cannot serve. They have done the same for me. In my experience, the world of contribution proves to be a world of abundance. Thanks to Julie O for offering that lesson when I needed it.
Thanks Sara! We are not alone!
Dear Friend, José Augusto-Your comments reflect my experience as an ICF member the past 16 years, both locally and globally and both professionally and personally. My work alongside other ICF members on various Boards, committees and task forces has enriched my life and, I believe, has made me a better coach and human being. Thanks for your service and the service of thousands of other ICF members, who have made professional coaching an integral and valued part of society.
Dear Ed,
Thank for your comments! Certainly in my words there is something I learned with you!
Great article, especially love the line:- “As citizens of the world, we realize that we are not allowed continue in a struggle for the survival of the fittest, but that we need a less competitive and more collaborative society.”
Richard,
Thank you!
Collaboration is the key word and action!
Richard,
Thank you!
Collaboration is the word and action!
Dear Jose,
Thank you for the beautiful writeup. I agree with you. This community is not just about what we can but what we can give.
Cheers,
Rajat