What was the passion that engaged you to become a coach? Is that passion still as alive as it once was? Transformational coaching has powerful tools to create change, and I would like to challenge us to use these tools more in our communities and cultures. Let's question our usual way of doing business and find ways to be more inclusive and diverse. Let's find ways to give more from the heart of ourselves, and create business models based on contribution. Let's assume we can give freely AND make a great living.

For several years, I led coach training in a federal correction facility as part of the Time to Change program (www.timetochangeprisonproject.org). I went there to "do good" for the inmates, but I was shocked by the transformation that happened to me. The inmates challenged me to offer all of myself, and to confront the hopelessness that I had been harboring all my life. They also challenged me to use my freedom to do what was most important to me. Through my giving to them, I experienced my own sense of purpose being filled.

The coach training raised the inmates' emotional intelligence, gave them connections across the usual race barriers in the prison, and improved their ability to create meaningful relationships with both those inside the prison and with their families on the outside. Using a coach approach, they started changing the culture of the prison from the inside.

This experience showed me that as soon as people are able to see and understand that they have something unique to offer, they simply start finding ways to offer it, regardless of their circumstances. Transformational coaching is one of the most effective ways to awaken that individual contribution. Coaching is also one of the best ways to create support to use that contribution in the world. We need partnerships. We need to leverage our power as coaches and find better ways to empower the organizations and institutions that already exist.

I ask you to pause and notice: What change in your community or culture would you like to help create? What, specifically, can you do to help make it happen? What partnerships do you need to form so you are well supported in your effort?

We are never as powerful as when we are giving generously. And we give, not because we should, but because we've all been given gifts meant to be shared with the world. As we give, we also receive.

For more information regarding Transformational coaching and coach training please visit http://www.leadershipthatworks.com/