Page 46 of One Summer Weekend
Maybe I was the exception … but, based on my recollection of Maria’s shrill accusations, I doubted it.
Deep breath.‘Let’s take a less ridiculous scenario, then. Suppose your coachee falls in love with you and a different relationshipbecomes possible. Would you take advantage?’
He reached out and rested his fingers lightly on my bare arm. Only he and I knew that, underneath, his thumbnail was digging into my flesh. I held his gaze, daring him to lie.
‘Honey, if I had to count the number of girls who’ve thrown themselves at me over the years, I’d be here all week.’ He addressed the audience with a self-deprecatinggrimace. ‘As I always say to a female coachee – when it comes to coaching, does it matter whether I’m a man and you’re a woman? Unfortunately, to some of them, it does.’ Back to me, releasing my arm with an affectionate-looking squeeze. ‘With me, people buy the whole package, risks and all, right? The whole point of my total immersion approach is that no one knows how it’ll play out.’ A laugh devoidof any amusement. ‘Not even me.’
It was tempting to reveal the red mark on the underside of my arm, and gain some sympathy votes. But I wanted to win the conversational jousting on level terms.
I forced some lightness into my voice. ‘That’s no excuse, though, surely? Yes, this girl – these girls should have known better. But it’s not an equal relationship, is it? You’re the one incharge of the situation, and your role carries some responsibility for their welfare.’
He flung his hands wide, simulating incomprehension. ‘Role? Responsibility? Welfare? Typical corporate crap.’ A winning smile at the audience. ‘Okay, so let me tell you all about areallyinteresting guy I coached, movie actor – no names, no pack-drill. You’d think this guy would have everything he everwanted, but …’
And on he went, skillfully weaving into his celebrity success story the suggestion that he coached males as frequently as females. Oh, and implying that my reference to professional ethics was an insult to the intelligence.
It was Lionel who hauled him back to my earlier question. ‘That’s all well and good for a famous film actor, Troy – they probably involve a teamof people in everything they do, a ready-made support network. But what safeguards do you have in place for everyone else? I suppose with executive coaching, Alicia, the coachee can always refer back to the HR department – is that right?’ I nodded. He hesitated, then went on, ‘But with life coaching the coachee’s on their own.’
Troy’s eyes were slits of steel in a bronze mask. ‘So’s thecoach.’
‘Don’t you have supervision?’ This from Di, leaning forward. Not to criticise, of course; more with barely suppressed eagerness – eagerness to learn from the master …
He turned to her with a suave laugh. ‘I’ve never found it that effective, but maybe I just haven’t found the right person. I’m open to offers, though.’ His voice dropped to a husky, intimate tone for these lastwords, as if there was no one else in the room. I could imagine how it made Di feel – I’d have felt the same. Ihadfelt the same, once.
I stared over at Jack, willing him to meet my gaze; but he was looking down at the floor. I switched my attention reluctantly back to Wanda, who was entering the discussion for the first time.
‘I don’t understand the issue here,’ she was saying, herwide forehead creased in a frown. ‘We have contracts in life coaching just like you do in executive coaching. It’s just common sense to have something in writing explaining each party’s responsibilities.’
‘Except that the map is not the territory.’ The words came automatically to mind, and I spoke them as loudly and distinctly as I could.
Instantly, Troy’s head swiveled in my direction.‘What are you talking about?’ His tone, to one who knew him well, was subtly threatening; but for me there was no turning back.
Deep breath.‘In the Los Angeles County Museum of Art on Wilshire Boulevard, there’s a painting by Magritte, “The Treachery of Images”. You know it very well, you introduced me to it. A picture of a pipe, with the caption “This is not a pipe”—’
‘In French,of course,’ he put in, smoothly. ‘“Ceci n’est pas une pipe.” And the painting is actually called “La Trahison des images”.’ I suppressed a shiver. His accent was still impeccable; back then, it had added to his allure – as I was sure it did now, for women like Di. His mouth twisted in a smile, falsely encouraging. ‘Your point, Aleesha?’
‘A contract, or a non-disclosure agreement, is simplya piece of paper signed without any real understanding of what the coaching experience will involve. The map is not the territory.’ I looked carefully past Troy, at Wanda. ‘We all know that coaching is an unregulated industry – the executive side just as much as the life side. But a corporate contract is more comprehensive, the coaching is overseen by HR and the coach has their own independentsupervisor – which at least gives everyone some protection.’ I paused, before allowing my gaze to drift back to Troy. ‘Whereas life coaching can take the coachee into treacherous waters, without any obvious way back to safety.’
He manufactured a weary sigh. ‘Any coachee can get out of their depth, especially if they’re young and deluded. And the skill of the coach is often about communicatingthe stuff they don’t wanna hear. But hey, Aleesha, as an executive coach – and presumably one of the less experienced ones, given your age – have you never found yourself in an inappropriate situation with a client?’
I should have seen the question coming. A few weeks ago, my answer would have been an unthinking ‘No’ – but now …
Caught off guard, I fumbled for the right words, painfullyaware that Jack would be listening. ‘If there’s a – a problem between coach and coachee, then it’s usually resolved via a substitution clause in the contract.’ I swallowed, and hurried on. ‘As I’ve already said, with executive coaching the focus is more on the organisation’s needs, and less on those of the individual being coached. But there is overlap, naturally.’ I clutched wildly at an illustration.‘Take a company acquisition: what if the director I’m coaching has personal baggage with the acquired company – something that could cloud their judgement, become a barrier to their performance? As an executive coach, I would want to explore that, up to a point. Unless it requires a different skill set, of course, such as counselling.’
I had Jack in mind, of course – his father’s tragicend at Sphinx Industries – but I wasn’t referring to him specifically. And yet a sixth sense told me I’d overstepped the mark and handled a delicate subject unprofessionally. I glanced over at him, apologetic smile at the ready; to my dismay, he was halfway out of the room.
I fought the urge to follow him, and stumbled on. ‘As I’ve said, the scope of executive coaching means that problemsbetween coach and coachee are relatively rare and more easily addressed—’
‘But, asI’vesaid, that same scope means that the really interesting stuff is off limits.’ Troy turned to the audience, spreading his hands – an expansive, clever gesture conveying a potent blend of sincerity, humility and passion. ‘Remember the mantra?To be better at life coaching, you have to be better at life. My total immersion approach offers the widest possible scope – the limits are decided by the coachee’s individual needs. As a result, I’ve experienced life in its widest variety.’ He brought his hands together in a parody of prayer. ‘Give me life coaching any day … the freedom to help another human being identify and overcome their most crippling issues … the privilege of knowing that I’m makinga real difference to someone’s future.’ A soft, disarming sigh, as he rested his hands on his knees. ‘Okay, so maybe it’s because I’m just a simple guy from California, but all that reallymattersto me. The person is more important than the task – every time.’
Impressive performance. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw the announcer glance at her watch and get to her feet. I had one lastopportunity to make an impact.
Another deep breath; then, weighing my words carefully, ‘I still think that some of the structure and rigour of executive coaching would be beneficial for your approach, Troy.’ A minor achievement, saying his name out loud. ‘After all, total immersion without a lifeline can end in drowning.’
He said, staring straight ahead, ‘Thanks for your concern, Aleesha,but I’m an expert swimmer.’
‘I was thinking more about the people you coach.’
A murmur rippled through the audience – condemnation, or approval? Not that I cared – my work here was over. Now I needed to find Jack.
