Although we were deeply disappointed that Julio Olalla could not be with us for our January meeting (he was sick in bed with a bad flu), Newfield Network CEO Dan Newby graciously flew in from Colorado to present a fascinating talk to our chapter. Dan shared with us what he has noticed about Julio, and coaching, in the six years he has worked with the legendary coach and leader. He reflected on the three domains of Language, Body, and Emotions and their role in powerful coaching. The discussion about the concept of "transparency breaks" was especially apropos, as we had each experienced such as break when our expectations for an evening with Julio were suddenly upended. Dan's talk was lively, candid, and rich with anecdotes, stories and examples. He touched on the historical discourse that surrounds the Language/Body/Emotions domains: the historical, cultural and familial stories that are key to deep understanding of another person. Declaring that "language isn't innocent," Dan emphasized that we never speak without consequence. Everything we learn, be it about music, food, literature, history, ourselves, or the person in front of us, contributes to our coaching. Those in attendance were captivated by Dan's relaxed and unpretentious way of imparting his knowledge and insights. Our gift was the learning and wisdom that Dan shared. However, one lucky ICF Maryland member, Kathryn Vizachero got an extra-special gift: she won the raffle for a week of intense Newfield training in gorgeous Colorado. Now, how cool is that?
