A Coaching Power Tool Created by Michele Longobardi
(Executive Coach, ITALY)
Introduction
Non quel che comincia ma quel che persevera (Leonardo Da Vinci)
I find that this phrase by Leonardo – also reproduced on a wooden plaque that can be found on the Amerigo Vespucci training ship – can well represent the power tool I have developed.
In particular, I have grasped the ability to develop a “persevering” attitude as an enriching element that can lead to the personal growth of entrepreneurs.
I met several entrepreneurs who get excited about the “new” itself and the possibility of starting a new project or a new business. You can see their eyes twinkle when a new business idea comes up, they get ecstatic and rush to make it happen to kids if they had the chance to play with toys in a toy shop for free! Often it is precisely this aspect that makes them “entrepreneurs”: an immoderate faith in the future and in what has not yet happened but which can be started … as soon as possible!
The passion burns out very soon and may give space to a new one or go out if it is not supported by a more mature attitude to persevere and be persistent in projects. The risk is to be stoked on the starting!
Explanation
For an entrepreneur, being focused on starting new things can have several advantages and implicit reinforces:
Experiencing starting as the only way to proceed does not always bring positive aspects: what happens when we are stuck in starting instead?
Persevering
Persevering means knowing how to stay on course once you have defined your goals: not necessarily being able to be constant, that is always committed with the same vigor, because it is not possible to keep always the same levels of performance, but persistent in:
Application
Coaching Application
When clients focus only on starting a new project they get stuck into a loop that may discourage them from continuing their journey as entrepreneurs. They can feel there is a need for a change but may not catch the point of the matter.
Asking questions like those below could help them to change perspective:
Reflection
Like many power tools, the starting-persevering power tool is a mirror reflecting the client’s choices and identity, pointing the attention to different apparently conflicting perspectives. This one aims to feed personal awareness, challenging common beliefs, and integrating two different kinds of energies.
I think it may help clients to keep the focus on their projects – both the new and current ones – foster a wider perspective and encourage them to keep seeing their inspiration.
References and inspirational readings:
Marvin Zuckerman (2006), Sensation Seeking And Risky Behavior, American Psychology Association
https://www.republicworld.com/technology-news/
Entrepreneurship psychology: a review. Adesuwa Omorede & Sara Thorgren & Joakim Wincent. International Entrepreneurship and Management Journal volume 11, pages743–768 (2015)