Archive for • Coaching Metaphors
• The Doll House Effect
Over thirty years ago I was visiting New York with my Mother-in-law and my daughter. We were on our way to Cooperstown and noticed a billboard for Doll Houses made in Schenevus, NY. So we stopped out of curiosity and bought three Doll Houses. We brought them home on the plane and put them away. […]
• A Kidmin Giant?
When I asked one of my new graduate students to give me a metaphor that would describe her coaching experience from the beginning until now, she paused and thought. So I waited for any response, then it came. She said, “David and Goliath.” “Can you elaborate on that thought?” I inquired. “Well, when I started […]
• A Busload for Heaven
By Jessica Klinker About 12 years ago, during my first year as a Children’s Director, we were celebrating our AWANA Pinewood Derby. I was still nervous speaking in front of adults (actually, I still am). I asked our AWANA missionary to give our devotion for this night. I waited and waited, the Derby had started […]
• Averting a Train Wreck
When asked to describe our mentoring experience with a Metaphor, my student offered—“it was like preventing a train wreck!” The diesel engine was going downhill fast, too fast, and getting faster. Things were getting out of control. The full-weight of the train cars were pushing from behind—creating a potential collision course. All attempts to slow […]
• Leadership Makeover
With years of leadership experience and multiple jobs and ministry positions, it was revealing, but not surprising to me, that one protégé offered this metaphor to explain her coaching experience. “Coaching for me became a Leadership Makeover! After three years of working with my Coach Barney Kinard, I am now qualified to move up into […]
• Traveling With a Yokefellow
Traveling with a Yokefellow? One of my Coaching Students was trying to use a metaphor to explain my relationship with her. “The image of an oxen yoke comes to mind, which to me explains how you have yoked yourself into a relationship with me and my children’s ministry. It is like you came along side […]
• “You Kept Me From Drowning!”
The Life Saver It’s really scary to be, in over your head, in rough and deep uncharted waters. The frantic efforts to preserve life when taking in water, thrashing about, scared and panicked about what’s next. Managing to gasp for breath, while trying to stay afloat, is overwhelming. Going down for the third time, imagining […]
• Rescued By A Tow Truck
Rescued By A Tow Truck “Looking back, how would you describe your experience getting into Coaching?” I queried my graduating student. “Well, I clearly felt like I was stuck, just spinning my wheels. I could not make any forward progress. I was feeling trapped and digging in deeper with everything I was trying!”It was clear […]
• A Light in the Fog
A Bright Light in a Foggy Night Fog has a way of engulfing the visible rendering it invisible. Normally, a Lighthouse is useful at night when visibility is diminished. Then you add fog in the night and you have a hazardous condition for navigating any coastal waters. Lighthouses have been strategically constructed all along rugged […]
• Running On Empty?
Running On Empty? Have you ever run out of gas? I must confess that I have several times! Once I exhausted my supply on the way into the driveway of the service station. I pushed the car into the pumps for relief. And I have walked a few miles only to walk back with a […]
