Creating An Inclusive Community of Coaches
Reflecting on the Vision of Founder Joyce Richman
by KJ Shapiro
Karen Jo Shapiro, PhD
In March 2009 as the US recession deepened and paid work dropped away for coaches at the Center for Creative Leadership (CCL), Joyce Richman, a CCL coach since 1985, made a decision that would lead to the creation of this unique, inclusive, authentic, learning community we know as the Triad Coaching Connection (TCC).
Joyce had the idea that a group of coaching colleagues would come together, with common purpose and passion, sponsoring programs and having conversations that would enhance learning, networking, and one another.
Turning her idea into action, she began calling her colleagues and friends from CCL-- sharing her thoughts and asking for their help in calling others. By the next month, over 75 coaches had gathered at Joyce’s house, moving from room to packed room-- placing ideas on flip-charts, talking excitedly, questioning, and connecting. The house was buzzing with energy, excitement and food; a guiding coalition of coaches forming to lead the budding organization. The Triad Coaching Connection was born.
From the beginning, Joyce’s vision was for TCC to be a “safe space”, a place to be open and intentional about learning and growing and connecting. Although the founding members were CCL colleagues, she wanted, from the very beginning, to see TCC grow to involve and include coaches from the local area and beyond. That TCC would be inclusive and diverse in its membership whether by training, education, race, ethnicity, gender, age, professional specialty, or lived experience.
Connection was to be the guiding principle and relationship, its sustenance. Joyce was TCC’s Lead Facilitator, then its first president, and board member for many years to come, always leading from a perspective of collaboration and humility, as everyone in that guiding coalition had an important role to play.
Community participation was not new to Joyce. Immediately following the stock market crash of 1987, she worked with WFMY TV to organize a panel that addressed the needs of laid off workers. The panel was so successful and the need so great, she was asked to continue appearing on WFMY to talk about work and career issues, which she did regularly for the next 20 plus years.
During this same recessionary time period, she began her career advice column for the Greensboro News & Record. A column that has been running for over 30 years. In 2008 she partnered with WFMY TV and the Volunteer Center to launch “Passport to Success”, an opportunity for those impacted by the recession to improve their resumes, confidence, and job search skills.
Though this spring marks the first time Joyce will be off the board since TCC’s inception, (due to by-law protocols), she looks forward to staying actively involved in TCC.
Her commitment is strong and unwavering, saying, “My greatest hope is that we will always be a highly relational, inclusive, stimulating, learning organization; that as an organization we will continue to challenge ourselves to always live our mission.” She’s gratified to see TCC become the diverse and vibrant coaching community she envisioned, serving all its members with respect and inclusivity.
Karen Jo (KJ) Shapiro is a psychologist, executive coach and trainer who helps professionals with their leadership development and career management. She also facilitates team learning using assessments and exercises. KJ’s business is YNS Coaching and is a founding member and current board member of TCC.