coaches cooperative

"The only way to make sense out of change is to plunge into it,

move with it, and join the dance."

— Alan Watts

An Unexpected Moment

I’ve always believed life reveals its greatest opportunities in moments of uncertainty and challenge. In 2022, I joined a dynamic group of nearly seven-hundred coaches to create a community rooted in trust and mutual support during a time of widespread change and unexpected conflict.

As one of the founding organizers, I was honored to navigate and negotiate productive solutions to our challenges and spotlight critical issues in the coaching profession—specifically ethics, performance measurement, and the appropriate use of technology.

A Stronger Sense of Purpose Emerges

In the months that followed, I continued to provide leadership to the community and found myself flexing muscles I hadn’t used in years. I was struck by my own evolution and how my years of coaching had changed who I was as a leader and strategist. It inspired me to consider the possibility of what it might mean to take on another opportunity to organize and lead. At the same time, many of us from the original community realized that we shared larger, common goals, including:

  • an interest to expand our conversations and strengthen the bonds we’ve forged,

  • an ambition to find ways to help each other grow and thrive, and

  • an enthusiasm to broaden our dialogue to drive excellence in our practice and industry.

Crafting the Vision

So… I was curious about the possibility of creating a space where coaches could create meaningful connections, support each other, and become compelling thought leaders on the constructs of excellence in coaching. I followed that flow, and in the fall of 2023, the coaches cooperative launched as a community experience where we, as coaches, support each other's personal growth and work together to create an atmosphere of mutual development and sustained excellence in our profession and industry.

I wanted to create a space where everyone has an equal opportunity to be heard and seen and to share and reap the benefits of being part of a community of like-minded, forward-thinking colleagues. It’s important that the community’s values mirror my deep-seated beliefs in integrity, diversity, trust, and safety. A space where we embrace connection and positive intent and where co-creation and collaboration are the cornerstone of our growth. I believe in the transformative power of shared wisdom and that our collective voice strengthens with each individual contribution.

What’s Next?

I have no idea where this leg of my journey will lead. I only know that I feel a great sense of purpose in this work and an ongoing excitement to see how the community creates its agenda and allows its purpose to emerge. I’m taking it all in stride and allowing myself to be pulled by the natural flow of things rather than forcing an outcome. It’s wonderful to be reminded every day that life is a little more interesting when traveling with others.

you will be redirected to the website - coachescooperative.org

Join the cooperative…

If you're seeking a community that prioritizes genuine connections, professional development, and collaborative growth, we welcome you to join us. If you’re a professional coach searching for meaningful connections with like-minded peers, take a peek at what we have to offer and connect with me if you have any questions.

“What you’re seek is seeking you.”

~ Rumi