The Ripple Effect
This past week, I had the privilege of co-facilitating a training for Recovery Coaches with the incredible team at Still-here, a journey that reminded me that while coaching one person can change a life, equipping a group of coaches can change the world.
During our time together, we explored the deep, often difficult intersections of culture, power, and privilege. These are concepts many of us understand logically. We know the definitions; we have the "thinking mind" empathy that tells us these things matter. But there is a profound distance between understanding a concept and feeling its weight in your bones.
From Logical Thinking to Visceral Feeling
One moment from the week stands out vividly. A participant shared that after a day of deep emotional work on cultural competence, he went for a walk. He passed two women from a different culture and stopped in his tracks. He realized that while he had always logically held empathy for the experiences of others, in that moment, he felt it in a way he never had before.
It was a shift in his very being.
This is where the real work happens. When we move from "coaching at" someone with tools and logic to "being with" someone with our whole hearts, the dynamic shifts. It ceases to be a professional exercise and becomes a genuine human connection. This is the "Soul" of the work—where the data and the theory finally give way to the person standing right in front of us.
The Exponential Impact of Facilitation
As a coach, the one-on-one connection is incredibly fulfilling. But as a facilitator, you realize that the impact is exponential. I like to think of it as the difference between planting a single tree and planting a forest.
There is a certain level of faith required in this role. We may not always see the final results or hear every story of recovery that stems from these sessions. However, I leave these trainings with a deep sense of peace, knowing that the goodness discovered within that classroom is being carried out into communities everywhere. It is a ripple effect that spreads far beyond the room where we started.
The North Star: Remembering the "Why"
If I could leave these coaches with one "North Star" to guide them as they return to their communities, it would be this:
Remember who you are, remember why you are doing this, and never, ever forget the reason you are seeking to help.
In the world of recovery coaching, it is easy to get caught up in the logistics, the scripts, and the daily grind. But when we stay anchored in our core purpose, we ensure that our work remains transformative rather than transactional.
To the coaches who shared this week with me: Thank you for your vulnerability and your commitment. I can’t wait to see the ripples you create.
