Reflections on a Twitter Chat
On Monday 6 April, we had a very lively and thought-provoking Twitter Chat about unhelpful stories and how to shift them. The theme clearly resonated with all participants, who shared both the stories that held them back, and those that their coaching clients were prone to.
For many of us, Imposter Syndrome in its various guises was a significant theme; and that also featured in the stories our clients have; but there were many others, with Katy Mahoney (@researchercoach) providing a great list: I don’t know the answer myself, I am not good enough, Other people are better, I need to work harder, I need to work longer/more hours, ‘Everyone’ knows this [insert limiting belief], I don’t belong, People will laugh, People will think I am stupid, People will realise they made a mistake [employing me, taking me on], People will think I am bragging, People will think I am big headed, People will think I am showing off, People won’t like me…
Fortunately, participants were as good at generating ideas to combat these unhelpful stories, including laughing at them, collecting the evidence that they are not true, getting trusted others’ views on them, collecting and reviewing positive feedback, perceptual position work, and working with objects and art – over and above the approaches I describe in Shifting Stories. So there was plenty of learning and inspiration for me, too.
It was really interesting and inspiring to see people sharing their experiences and wisdom, building on, strengthening and deepening each others’ ideas, and enjoying some good moments of humour along the way.
As we remain in lockdown, finding ever-fresh ways to create and develop connections remotely, to learn from each other virtually, and to enjoy remote companionship and collegiality are clearly extremely important. On the evidence of this event, the Twitter chats, hosted by the SDF (and skillfully set up, with the introductory blog, and the key questions to discuss) are a very useful approach – one that I am sure could usefully be replicated in other contexts.
Blog author: Andrew Scott, author of Shifting Stories: How changing their stories can transform people. Andrew has been running his consultancy for more than 30 years, and has worked for many blue chip organisations, ranging from P&G and CSFB to Nationwide Building Society and Akzo Nobel. He currently works mainly in HE, where he works with senior academics and professional services staff in 16 different universities across the country. He is a qualified Time to Think Coach, a qualified coaching supervisor, and is this year studying with David Clutterbuck and Peter Hawkins to qualify as a Team Coach.