Roots.

Coaching Foundation + The Logo

"Curiosity never takes, it gives. It's accessible every day and it's so mild it won't ever take too much from you. The only thing that curiosity will ever ask of you is for you to turn your head just a little bit and observe, seek, ask, ponder." 

Elizabeth Gilberts

When I was a staffer for Young Life in my early 20’s we would take local high school athletes on camping trips for some good old fashioned pre-season team building. Upon arrival they’d quickly discover missing nice-to-have items like toilet paper, tent stakes, eating utensils, etc.

Sneaky, huh.

I vividly recall one of these camping trips where, after a few early morning hours of grumpy competitive teenagers trying to figure out how to get past pointing fingers, I escaped a mile or so into the woods, finding a nice spot to chill next to a small stream.

The melodic sounds of water dancing across the pebbles. The intricate interplay of minerals, molecules, and atoms. All happening despite my presence—but strangely as if I’d been hosted to a private reservation.

The privilege of participating in a symphony of nature that was set aside especially for me has become a foundational theme throughout my coaching journey: that every conversation is akin to those streamside burbles—each one unique and precious—each one an invitation to “observe, seek, ask, ponder.”

Just as I reclined by that stream, I’ve learned to carve out a space where I can truly be present with another person or team.  This mindset of "withness" resonates deeply with me, releasing the need to drive success and embracing the understanding and guidance of what it means to be partners in curiosity.

“To be on a quest is nothing more or less than to become an asker of questions.”

Sam Keen

I’m writing this from an Airbnb in Roanoke, Virginia—just across the street from the Appalachian Trail Conservancy. My son-in-law’s younger brother recently completed the life-changing trek along the Appalachian Trail, through-hiking the 2,190+ miles from Georgia to Maine.  In addition to all the logistics [e.g., registration and regulations, resupply points, safety, etc.], physical and mental preparations were extremely important factors for him to have a successful hike.

Check out Bubba and the Bug to hear some of his stories.

Embarking on the journey of coaching is akin to setting out on a profound quest, where we become seekers of questions and curious adventurers.  It unfolds as an immersive experience, brimming with encounters, challenges, and moments of growth.  

Just as hikers strategize around resupply points and stay hyper focused on keeping safe, I get to join another person or team and together navigate through the intricacies of human interactions and personal discovery.

Thus, to embark on a coaching journey is to embark on a mutually intentional pursuit of understanding, connection, and the richness of human experience.

“Any sound, if it’s in time, has some value.”

[Especially minutes 4:18—5:20]

I’ve only taken a few day hikes on the Appalachian Trail, but a somewhat related transformative process that resonates with me is the 20 or so years of my life as a drummer.

My favorite moments were in the open jam sessions, where being “in the pocket” meant the intuitive and palpable “locking in” to the rhythmic integrity and feel of the band; the ideal blend of rhythmic accuracy and soul; the push and pull that feels both practiced and human.  However, when it came to covering specific songs that required memorizing lyrics, precise dynamics, and re-creating the atmosphere shaped by another artist, I would often freeze up.  Despite creating cue sheets and practicing meticulously, I struggled to perform without being hijacked by immense stress and anxiety. Frustrated, I eventually quit—a move that also meant relinquishing access to the cherished joy of those jamming sessions. 

When I picked up the “drumsticks” of coaching, I feared it would be similar:  the occasional experience of being “in the pocket”—unbearably overshadowed by the paralyzing stress and anxiety rooted in a fear of dishonoring another person’s ambition.

Thankfully this fear was neutralized by the mentorship and coaching I received during my ICF coaching certification. I chose to embrace coaching as an opportunity to cultivate personal resilience and push through moments of doubt, discovering along the way that embracing the unknown is the journey—and “locking in” means joining another person or team in the “push and pull that feels both practiced and human”.

“We came all this way to explore the moon, and the most important thing that we discovered was the earth.”

Among the first to walk on the Moon [Apollo 8].

A picture of the Earth rise taken by astronauts of Apollo 11.

My experiences in coaching have taught me that the true essence of unlocking potential lies not just in reaching our goals, but in the process of exploration and growth along the way.

Just as the astronauts' perspective of Earth shifted their understanding of the cosmos, coaching has broadened my perception of human potential. It's not just about reaching the summit or crossing the finish line; it's about the profound journey of self-discovery, resilience, and growth that occurs along the way. And in this journey, I've discovered that the most important destination isn't a point on a map, or a goal achieved—it's the realization of the limitless potential that exists within every individual, waiting to be activated and unleashed upon the world.

My contribution to a coaching relationship is exclusive and dynamic, just as my clients bring their own unique awesomeness. And I’ve become acutely aware of how I show up in the coaching process, trusting the art of “withness”, embracing a partnership in curiosity, and co-creating the unscripted path we embark upon.

“I shall be telling this with a sigh Somewhere ages and ages hence: Two roads diverged in a wood, and I—I took the one less traveled by, And that has made all the difference.”

Life unfolds as a journey, doesn't it? Full of twists and turns, reminiscent of those pivotal moments when we find ourselves at crossroads, deliberating which path to tread. Each choice we make contributes a new chapter to our narrative—the triumphs, the setbacks, and the extraordinary moments.

Yet, there comes a time when discovering and designing the right course becomes imperative. Coaching brings you a partner, co-creating the move forward with purpose, while acknowledging the exploratory nature that accompanies navigating the unknown together.

For me, this road has:

  • Shaped the foundational perspective on what coaching is to me: A partnership in curiosity—a mutual embracing of the unscripted nature of each conversation.

  • Matured my coaching mission:φ Partner with others to co-create the discovery of what’s possible, design a path forward, and activate potential.

  • Provided a conduit for the ambition ignited by my core belief: Every person is worth an investment—to be the target of something remarkable; the catalyst for something extraordinary.φφ

φ The model derived from my coaching mission:

  • Engaging in curiosity-driven exploration and the contemplation of possibilities with others, rather than adhering to preconceived notions or objectives.

  • "Locking in" with another individual or team in the dynamic "push and pull" highlights the collaborative nature of finding one's way through uncertainties and jointly shaping the journey ahead.

  • The true essence of realizing potential is not merely in achieving goals, but in the journey of exploration and growth that unfolds along the way.

φφ The inspiration for my core belief:

This core belief has become a powerful articulation of my ability to engage others from a position of incredible freedom and intention. The foundational idea is rooted in a conversation that Jesus had with his disciples where he calibrates their perspective on value—that every person, even at our seemingly most insignificant state, is the target of God’s amazing love and ambition.

I love the way Chris Goringe elaborates.

A good logo starts a good conversation.

The logo for Envisiφnosity came to me one afternoon when I was looking to express my core aspiration to help others envision something tangible, design a path to get there, and tap into what they already possess to make it possible:

  • The “e” part of the logo is a blend of the lower-case e, the φ, and the golden ratio.

    Just a creative way to pull together some of the overarching ideas behind Envisiφnosity.

  • “Envision” means to imagine what your situation will be like in the future—one that you can almost touch and feel—and that you intend to work towards.

  • “ɸ” [phi] known as the “golden ratio,” is abundantly exhibited in some of the most fascinating objects and breathtaking natural beauty known to us. Along with its originator, the Greek architect, Phidias, many other artists, architects, musicians, mathematicians, and engineers have utilized phi in their creations. As a symbol of elegance, Phi is positioned at the center of the logo to ensure these attributes stay representative of our coaching journey.

  • “osity” means “the quality or state of being.” Positioned here implies the types of conversations that prompt high quality envisioning activated by mutual curiosity and exploration.

  • Discovering what’s possible, designing your path, and activating your potential is a process engaged through the coaching partnership by setting you up to truly contemplate what your future could be, co-architecting a path to get there, and intentionally tapping into the enacting awesomeness you already possess.