In the words of W.E.B. DuBois, “Believe in life! Always human beings will progress to greater, broader, and fuller life.” As we enter the month of March, so many of us are struck with a whirlwind of emotions – a deep sorrow for those affected by the turn of events in Ukraine, a sense of relief as the peak of the pandemic begins to wind down, a wave of fear for the uncertainty that lies before us, and a hope that the work we do for change will make a difference. To believe in life means to trust its process, to celebrate its wins, and to live fully. It also means acknowledging the whole of who we are, including the difficult emotions and the mysteries of life we struggle to understand.

The close of black history month and emergence into women’s history month affords us the opportunity to reflect on the powerful voice and presence of past and modern-day agents of change. Both commemorative months represent a roster of women and leaders of color, visible and unseen, whose contributions have shaped the world of coaching and leadership as we now know it. As coaches, we are uniquely positioned to usher in this change through the leaders we serve who have the courage to act, but are unsure of where and how to begin. We begin with compassion. We begin by listening. We begin by honoring the truths of those who are counting on us for change.

It is incumbent upon us as coaches, particularly through what seems to be a continuous cycle of crises, that we remain intentional about learning and sharpening our skills. This month, the IOC team will continue to offer opportunities for exactly this type of growth with content that addresses the art of insubordination, visual leadership, coaching for resilience, and power dynamics in coaching. Our vision, and the call of this profession, is to engage in work that nurtures broader and fuller lives for ourselves and others. We hope you find that these resources provide personal and professional support towards that end.

Warmly,

The IOC Team