As he said in his first message to ICF members, Ed Modell is keen for coaches to be more respectful and civil to one another
“Somebody said we don’t treat each other like we treat our clients. In this difficult time, I would like to heighten the level of civility in coaching.”
Modell makes sure he speaks to the other 15 board members regularly: “I think that personal connection serves all of us well. We do very well in treating each other with respect, honouring the value of and challenges from our amazing diversity within the ICF.”
He acknowledges that there are times when he loses balance and gets upset. “Isn’t that what being human is all about? I apologise when that happens and move on to a better way of being and doing.”
His desire for civility has been influenced by his background in mediation. Conflict resolution through coaching is a natural progression – he recently delivered a masterclass on it as part of a series for ICF Bulgaria. However, he makes “a clear distinction between being a very neutral mediator and a supportive coach. The best skill as a coach is helping the client talk about issues they don’t want to have: courageous conversations.”
Also on Modell’s agenda has been pro-bono work, something he did as a lawyer. Community outreach has been very important to him since getting involved with the ICF. Along with his wife he launched a pilot where around 25 ICF-credentialed coaches offer pro-bono coaching as part of a leadership development programme in a public school system in the state of Maryland.
Influences on Modell include Keith Ferrazzi, author of Never Eat Alone – and Other Secrets to Success, One Relationship at a Time:”
“In my mind, he is the ultimate networker and he has learned the value of abundance and generosity. Instead of dealing with people with the expectation of getting something back, always turn it around into what it can do for them. The benefits and rewards are amazing.”
Coaching at Work, Volume 6, Issue 4