Coach Behind the Scenes Helen Samson
- What is your most embarrassing facilitator moment? I was facilitating end of day feedback from a group of 24 people. One of the people said their most important insight was playing to their strengths vs shoring up weaknesses. I acknowledged the comment and reflected, “Yes, playing to our As is so important. Imagine if you could expand your “A”-ness vs focus on your flaws, what would be possible?.” Of course the room exploded in laughter as I said “A”-ness which of course sounded like “anus”. This coming from a person whose PhD is in Gastrointestinal medicine, specifically bowel disease. Full circle moment.
- Funniest thing your family has said to you about coaching? Me “What would you like for dinner tonight?” My daughter “Stop coaching me!!” My daughter (aged 10 yrs) to her school bus driver “I don’t really know what my Mom does, but here’s her card, I think you could use her help”.
- Where you can find me on the weekend? Cheering on my kids at their respective sports (my son plays football, baseball and swims and my daughter plays volleyball, basketball and lacrosse). Whole Foods and Trader Joes. Then… cooking – creating delicious foods with local, organic ingredients and then enjoying them all with the family. Walking our dog, time in nature either walking, on our porch or gardening. Add in a book and a cup of tea for the maximum experience.
- Guilty pleasure? Potato chips, dark chocolate, cheesecake, Hallmark movies with my daughter.
- Advice you give but you are bad about taking. Creating space for mindfulness and reflection. It’s a daily practice for me that can often get bumped on days where my schedule is over full. Still, every day is a new start, so I’ve become better at not judging or beating myself over it and starting my practice again.
- Reactive tendency of choice – Complying (specifically pleasing)