‘Be the change you want to see’: coaching, politics and the UK election
Like many others, I have been left thoroughly disenchanted by the election process.
On the eve of the votes being cast to decide the next UK Government, I wondered what it would be like if politicians, instead of ‘governing’ us, coached us instead.
We talk about managers and leaders as coaches… what about politician as coaches?
Sounds bizarre? But just pause for a moment and think how the political landscape might change. Regardless of our political persuasions, it might help us all gain a greater sense of autonomy, purpose and freedom. And who wouldn’t want more of that…?
Politicians get close to mentoring sometimes; that can be valuable but I think, with the right encouragement, we need to, and should do, more of the work.
It was Gandhi who said: ‘Be the change that you want to see’… I might just finesse that a little (how dare I!) to say: ‘Think what change you want and then work out what you need to get there’. A little more structured, and boring than his inspiring quote but, to me, the coaching element makes it even more considered and powerful.
The problem could be that we are products of our conditioning. Much of our political thinking – or rejection of it -will be influenced by a families and upbringing, which provides the context for how we view the world. When I coach others they positively challenge their thinking around many of their issues, which sets them on course for new actions; often actions, which for the first time, have real relevance for them.
Is the election based more on fear of what the ‘other lot’ might do if they got in, rather than getting us to think about what we might really want?
Some people say that we put too much blame on politicians, and it is our own passivity and apathy; so we get the people that we deserve.
So let’s free ourselves of conditioning. Instead of us saying they have to articulate their vision to us, might we be better asked to work on our own vision, articulate what we want the politicians to carry out…. All they then have to do is coach us to tell them what we want. Simple!
I love this James! In a direct democracy I think- perhaps in Athens- maybe it was a little like this.
It is true that prior to the crash- the drift towards centrism meant- that politicians were to some extent gearing their communication to those of the electorate- with limited ideology and vision (you possibly know this more so than I) see Oborne- and the ‘Rise of the Political
Class.’ Especially those in marginal seats.
Labour/Excalibur and Voter Vault- targeting marginals.
I love your broader concept of freeing ourselves of our own conditioning and communicating a broader vision.
It is truly about ‘LOVE’ triumphing over ‘FEAR’ All the great kick-ass/ change-makers from Gandhi to Jesus and Buddha. Have taught us this.
Love is coaching and coaching is love. If coaching is ‘helping someone be more effective.’
All the great leaders. Jesus, Maharishi and the Buddah. Teach us so.
Wow – ‘love is coaching and coaching is love’. Powerful stuff Daniel!
The ideas of a coaching approach in education and politics certainly go back to the ancient Greeks. After all it was Socrates who said: “Let him who would move the world first move himself”. Simple yet wonderfully inspirational.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts about coach. Regards