“... When a people migrate, they carry with them not only their home, but also the aroma of their cuisine, their proverbs, and their seeds. When they take root again in another land, that taste is no longer the same—it carries the accent of the new climate. Even the boiling time of the water in the pot changes; the rising of bread turns into a different kind of patience. That is why a change in climate transforms not only geography, but also the chemistry of culture. Behind migrating clouds lies a silently carried heritage: the taste of humanity is rewritten in the language of nature.”
Inspired by the post of Prof. Dr. Oğuz ÖZYARAL,
The miraculous being we call human is, in fact, like a seed. The yield we obtain from this seed is directly related to where we plant it, how we nourish it, and how we meet its needs.
“Change takes place at the subconscious level, and sometimes planting just a small seed is enough.” — Milton Erickson
I have always likened a person’s discovery of their innate potential and their decision to take action for transformation and change to turning dried-up deserts into endless greenery as far as the eye can see. When human beings use their mind and power of thought to give meaning to their own existence and leave a mark on the future, this becomes even stronger through integration with the nature they are part of, and they become one with life. With the rhythm of its waves, the melody of water dancing with the wind, and the mysteries hidden in its depths, the ocean both brings peace and inspires awe. A dazzling calm may be seen on its surface, yet its depths are still full of secrets waiting to be discovered. In this sense, there are many similarities between human beings and the ocean.
Everything is about people. Everything begins with developing energetic and competent employees who believe in the organization’s goals and act together to achieve shared objectives. As Dave Ulrich, a world-renowned thought leader in the field of human resources, emphasizes in his statement, “Employees who find meaning in their work are more competent, committed, and contributive”: “Including the right employees in the team—those who have the right skills and competencies to do what is necessary—motivating and supporting them, developing their skills and talents, and strengthening their sense of belonging are all important.”
Organizations grow both with seeds planted in the right soil and with people who possess depth. Because true development becomes lasting in places where potential flourishes, depth is preserved, and the human being is considered as a whole. Coaching is defined as a collaborative partnership with the client in a creative process that inspires and encourages reflection in order to maximize personal and professional potential—something that is especially important in today’s uncertain and complex environments. Based on the saying, widely used anonymously in the coaching world, “The best coach is the coach who coaches themselves the most,” the most important investment in our professional lives is the investment we make in ourselves. Therefore, applying a valuable tool such as coaching first to ourselves will enable us to view events from a coaching perspective and adopt this perspective as a language of communication. At the same time, it will allow us to reflect the change within us to our surroundings, our teams, and our leaders, becoming a source of inspiration. By investing in coaching, we can see ourselves constantly “updating” like a software engineer; we can enhance our emotional intelligence, improve our ability to cope with stress, and develop our potential by turning every obstacle into an opportunity for growth. In addition, coaching is more than a problem-solving technique; it is a way of life that places us in the pilot seat of our careers. It transforms us from professionals who merely “react” to events into leaders who proactively shape their future.
In organizations, the impact of coaching on revealing an individual’s potential is undeniable. Coaching programs designed around employees’ goals and development areas help them recognize their potential, take action for personal development, and consequently contribute to the organization. While developing leadership skills and bringing out their potential, such programs also help them significantly improve their perspectives on work and private life. Leaders, on the other hand, should inspire employees and serve as role models while adding purpose and challenge to every action, empowering employees to do their best, and coaching them. Thanks to coaching leaders, much more effective individuals and organizations emerge—individuals who can take initiative, produce, and add value. To foster a sense of belonging and responsibility, the design and control of work should be left to employees as much as possible. While doing so, coaching and mentoring support should be provided to employees in order to create a synergistic effect that goes beyond expectations. This is one of the most important factors influencing the strengthening and sustainability of corporate culture.
Coaching activities focused on individualized development help leaders to:
• Develop emotional intelligence, resilience, and adaptability
• Think proactively and systematically
• Increase self-awareness and make conscious decisions
• Empower and develop teams
• Achieve long-term behavioral change more effectively than traditional training or workshops
Coaching is a very powerful tool for developing potential leaders for the future. Leaders who will take over the baton in organizations—leaders who demonstrate emotional resilience and reveal their potential—can only be developed by leaders who possess strong competencies, value development and creativity, and embrace and support diversity. In recent years, the business world has been undergoing a transformation that is perhaps faster, sharper, and more unpredictable than ever before. Economic fluctuations, geopolitical uncertainties, technological leaps, and the acceleration of artificial intelligence-supported digitalization are fundamentally changing the way we work. This situation brings risks along with opportunities. In order for organizations to maintain their competitive advantage, they need to be prepared not only for today’s problems but also for the uncertainties of the future. At this point, the most critical need is to establish a solid balance between resilience and sustainable growth. While establishing this balance, the only value that makes a difference is the difference created by employee potential. Therefore, coaching will continue to contribute as one of the most valuable investments that will positively impact the future of organizations by increasing the value and synergy of existing human potential.
You can access the full article titled “The Migration of Climate”, written by Prof. Dr. Oğuz ÖZYARAL — MBA, Microbiologist, Preventive Health Specialist, and Author — which inspired my writing, via the “Human Footprint, Planetary Wound” article on ekoIQ.
Ayşe Özdemir - Senior Quality Manager