The Top 10 Things I Learned Lecturing on a Cruise
Coaching has come of age! Recently I presented enrichment
lectures on a Caribbean cruise. Here's what I learned.
1. Nobody in the audience had heard of coaching.
Our work is cut out for us!
2. People are eager for personal growth and enrichment. Even on
a cruise vacation!
What could possibly entice people away from a pina colada by the
pool? The chance to understand themselves better and find ways
to make their lives work!
3. We learn best when it's active learning.
Quizzes, interactive exercises, games and prizes never lose
their appeal and are solid teaching devices. Give your audiences
plenty of opportunity to tell their stories to others, meet new
people, put pen to paper, put into practice what you've just
told them, and have fun and they'll learn more -- which is your
purpose, after all.
4. It's worth getting up at 5 a.m. to watch the day break.
The breaking away of the darkness is even more spectacular than
the rising of the sun. And isn't this what we do in coaching?
Break up the darkness so our clients can rise like the sun and
shine? What a great profession!
5. Word-of-mouth works.
Going around talking with people individually, one-on-one and
giving them personal invitations to attend was what worked (in
addition to interesting, well-presented lectures). The audience
doubled at each presentation as word got around.
6. Metaphor is a master coaching skill.
In this diverse audience, the things that had the most impact
were the visuals (transparencies) and the stories. Art, poetry,
parables and myths resonate with us all. Metaphor transcends all
time, ages and cultures. Use it!
7. We need to deliver what we promise.
Several participants told me, "It was so nice you actually
talked about what you said you would." Are speakers not doing
this? If not, why not? Our audiences deserve this.
8. Coaches are ideal enrichment lecturers.
9. "Optimism" was the most popular topic.
In this age of epidemic depresson and stressful lifestyles, the
most popular talk was the one on how to learn optimism.
10. Appreciate what you have!
I stood, watching the dawn, beside a 35 year old man from Kansas
who had never seen an ocean before. It was like looking at the
world through new eyes. I've seen so many oceans so many times
in my life. I think I'll focus on that!