The Right Person for What’s Needed

When we are able to be present, observe and listen, we gain clarity. - S. Leppky

This is a short post about a powerful experience last week.

Someone with whom I have partnered over the past couple of years came for a visit.

Not a coaching session, at least that wasn’t the intention.

We started off by walking with Annie and Blaze in the arena.

Me with Annie.

Her with Blaze.

Blaze wasn’t cooperating.

Annie was paying attention to them.

Ears and eyes on them.

I said to her, let’s put the girls in their stalls and go get the boys.

She walked Jack.

I walked Kiante.

At one point, we had stopped and as she was sharing some important information with me, Jack very deliberately turns his head towards me.

The message I receive was “butt out Shannon. I am working here”.

I told her to be with Jack. Kiante and I would keep walking.

A few minutes later, her and Jack were standing in the middle of the arena. Kiante and I a little ways away.

I observed Jack put his head along her torso which initiated tears.

Again, this time with less movement, Jack gave me the nod to butt out.

I told her Kiante and I would go into the barn. She could follow with Jack when they were ready.

A few minutes later, as we debriefed in the aisle, Jack, his head out the stall door, licked and chewed as she talked.

What transpired for her over the next few days is her story. It is powerful and something we would not have planned or imagined.

What I can share, is that Jack continued his connection with her as she continues to work through and heal with another layer of awareness.

Annie, the lead coach, knew, as did Blaze, that Jack needed to be the coach that day.

Even though it was not a formal coaching session.

When we are present and aware of what is happening around us, we make better choices.

For us.

For our team.

For what we need to accomplish.

It is up to us to notice and adjust.

To put our ego aside.

And to trust, what is sometimes hard to explain.