Actually this question slightly amended came up on a linked in message board and was actually asking whether the profession of coaching should address coaching for sustainability in their annual conference. It was a good question and so Iconsider it deserved an answer which I repost below.
Sustainability is now part of our individual and collective reality.
Given that politicians of all points in the political spectrum, the world over seem to be on side with the idea that sustainability is an issue that is not only real but one that is and will impact all choices and decisions made at national, regional and local government levels I would suggest that sustainability is now in the realm of the apolitical.
Having recently worked with the Carbon Trust in the UK, I have first hand experience that it is individuals who have been at the forefront of taking action in changing habits and behaviours around climate change and sustainability. We have had in fact a societal values shift.
Corporates have been quick to react and barring some greenwash have embraced CSR for both commercial and altruistic purposes. Disappointingly governments have moved much much more slowly. Some governments are still dragging their feet as bemoaned by the UN Secretary General recently.
So our clients whether as individuals or corporates are likely to have sustainability as a growing personal issue underpinning a realignment of values and beliefs. How they relate this to future business and personal goals and their concept of purpose in this world is a very valid area requiring coaching support.
Coaching is recognised as the management intervention best suited to support individual leaders, managers and businesses in what is a dynamic and certainly difficult economic environment.
I believe this also holds true as we approach a couple of decades that will determine the degree of change resulting from the environmental impact on the world economy and how we face up to the key challenges that business and societies must address.
I agree that as coaches we should not lead our clients but I do not think there is any need to. We do however need to be prepared as coaches to work with clients in a societal shift that is likely to be even more impactful (is that a word?) than this economic recession.
