Adept at finding solutions in extreme situations
The Ibex has fascinated me ever since I was privileged to observe this species of mountain goat near the Dead Sea in Israel. These animals live in mountainous deserts and are able to climb sheer, inaccessible rock faces with astounding virtuosity. An ibex will find paths where no one else can even see them, and is thus able to reach sources of nourishment that are not accessible to others. Through all this, the ibex emanates great calm and a deep trust in its fitness and ability in spite of the visible risk.
The surefooted pathway to your personal solution
discover
Every situation has something that makes it unique, but at first, each of us can only see what we know and act accordingly. What is familiar gives us a feeling of security, of being in control. However, if we find ourselves in a constellation in which we cannot make any headway with our usual approach, in which we lose our perspective and become disoriented, we must attempt to see the entire matter from a different point of view. Pause and perceive is the first step – in order to realize, through the distortion of the situation through new vantage points, which unforeseen solutions and paths can result from this.
dare
When we take in a situation from a new point of view, it feels strange and unfamiliar. We move out of our comfort zone and must accept that our former skills or attitudes are perhaps not suitable enough for solving a situation we perceive as problematic. This makes us insecure. Daring to do new things and develop additional skills in a concrete situation requires courage (> Skilfull Coping). Without this courage to move and develop forward, everything will remain the same.
do
If you manage to see familiar things with unfamiliar eyes, discover unforeseen opportunities to act and boldly apply what you have learned in this concrete situation, you create a new foundation from which you can once more deliberately shape your surroundings and your personal distinctiveness can be applied actively once more.
A short story
Two ibexes meet, high on a rock face. They encounter each other at a spot that is not wide enough for both. There is no way for them to sidestep each other. The rock face goes steeply up and down quite a long way in either direction and the animals cannot turn back. It seems as though they can only wait until one or the other loses their strength and plummets off the rock face. Both ibexes appear to consider for a while. Then, surprisingly, one kneels down and remains in this position for a moment. The other cautiously but steadily climbs over its counterpart and both are free to go about their business once more.
This incident characterizes my coaching philosophy and ultimately serves as a vivid description of the three-layered approach of my work towards a solution for complex issues and sensitive, extreme situations.