In our Executive Coaching and various training programmes, we encourage participants to develop their cognitive and emotional sides.  For some this involves developing their creativity and for others, being reminded of their talents.  By helping to build new neural pathways, participants are more likely to use their talents. 

As a symbol of Growth, in many of our programmes, the participants are given five dried beans.  The questions are:

• What causes the bean to be dormant?
• What external forces might cause it to sprout?
• What is happening inside the bean as the energy builds?
• Which bursts forth first? (root – grounding)
• What comes next? (shoot reaching upwards)
• And then what is the horizontal pull?

There are so many more questions that could be asked and these would amplify the message. 

This is a great metaphor for our own lives. We are the dormant beans and often an outside influence, like being exposed to a training or coaching programme, will cause the energy to build.  By putting roots down, we become more grounded, gain sustenance etc.  The upward shoots reach towards the sun and the illumination becomes a catalyst for changes, well-being and growth. 

When asked to do something creative with their beans, I’m fascinated by the way in which participants meet the challenge and present their work at the next session.  Gareth Ramsey, a young man who is part of the Treverton Post-matric group and engaged in our twelve-week Communication Skills programme, wrote this poem and I’m grateful that he agreed to share:

 

Beans…

Simple beans
Simple dreams
One and the same
To achieve we train
Beans grow because of the rain
We both grow
By experiencing pain

But to what end?
To be the mighty oak
Who shelters all and their yolk?
Or the slender stalk
Who blow tenderly in the breeze
And live their lives totally at ease?

But there is one truth for both
The strong shelter all
Even the weak
And the ones at ease
Always try appease
and make one brighten a life in need

Regardless both make use
Despite any suffered abuse
As a babe lies tenderly in its mothers arm,
And a bean rests in my palm
Both have potential
They just need love to be a little
Tender and warm.

For more information on our Communication Skills, EYES (Enhance Your Executive Skills) other training programmes or Executive Coaching, please contact brenda@146.66.90.172 or phone +27 82 4993311.