Friedrich Nietzsche, Executive Coach

Nietzsche's Twilight of the Idols opens with 44 aphorisms, including four he describes as "Questions of Conscience":

37. You run ahead?  Are you doing it as a shepherd?  Or as an exception?  A third case would be the fugitive.  First question of conscience.

38. Are you genuine?  Or merely an actor?  A representative?  Or that which is represented?  In the end, perhaps, you are merely a copy of an actor.  Second question of conscience.

40. Are you one who looks on?  Or one who lends a hand?  Or one who looks away and walks off.  Third question of conscience.

41. Do you want to walk along?  Or walk ahead?  Or walk by yourself?  One must know what one wants and that one wants.  Fourth question of conscience.

I wouldn't look to Nietzsche for guidance on any number of subjects--um, gender relations, to take just one.  But I'm struck by the universality of these questions--they're relevant for just about every coaching client I've worked with--and by their pointed, direct nature.

I'm hardly modeling myself after Nietzsche's example, but there's something in the challenge he poses to his reader that reminds me of the role an executive coach can play with a client.  Coaches rarely (if ever) have The Answer, but a good coach will be able to ask powerful and provocative questions that allow a client to identify the answers that are true and meaningful for them.

That's just how I feel reading the passage above.  For example, I often strive to "run ahead," to distinguish myself in some way.  Am I seeking to contribute to the betterment of others?  Or to glorify myself?  Or am I running away from something?  Nietzsche's no help with the answer, but I'm grateful for the fearlessness and pugnacity with which he poses the question.

Comments

[Trina E. Roach]

Hi Ed,

I just ran into your blog, and it's nice to know that you don't consider Nietzsche your 'go to' man in all questions! I do, however, like the way you made the correlation between Nietzsche's questions of conscience, and the powerful and meaningful questions we - as executive coaches - must ask our clients (and ourselves). The fearlessness it takes to step out on faith - so to speak - not knowing the final answers but daring nonetheless to wrestle with the most provocative questions, is what drives us forward in our search of personal excellence.

Thanks for the inspiration!

[Ed Batista]

Thanks, Trina--I appreciate it. I don't know how often I'll be quoting Nietzsche--this is a first--but I'm glad that another coach sees the connection. And given your definition of coaching, this makes perfect sense:

The core of the coaching relationship is...your own professional agenda. Your coach doesn’t have all the answers to your problems. Instead your coach has the relevant questions that lead you to your own answers to your unique professional challenges.

Well put. Thanks again.

Ed