The Sherpa Guide

Book excerpt: In this book, the authors take on the role of the Sherpa: enabling, advising and assisting. The executive, like climbers on Everest, must endure the hardships, put forth the effort, be subject to the risks involved in reaching their goals. Ultimately, they must reach the summit through their own skill and will. On Everest, there is no quick and easy way to reach the summit. You'd think a straightforward approach would be a helicopter to the top. Great idea, but the air at high altitude is too thin for a helicopter to sustain flight. During the arduous climb, a Sherpa does not make decisions. The Sherpa makes recommendations, and the Sherpa gives tips, tricks, and techniques to make the climb easier but does NOT climb for the client. The client has to make the decisions once the Sherpa has offered all the alternatives. In coaching, you need a process, and you must respect the process. No shortcuts, and no detours. Limit the playing field to professional issues, and then to allow the client to do the climbing on their way to the summit. Every situation is unique, but without a map for the process, a defined system, there's no way you'll be able to locate and reach your client's goals.