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Are you ready for Philosopher Coaching?
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FIRST, what is Philosopher Coaching? |
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Philosopher coaching draws on the wisdom of the ages, using the teachings of ancient philosophers such as Aristotle and Plato, up to 20th century philosophers such as Martin Heidegger. The foundation program, “Awaken Your Warrior” is based on the teachings of the 17th century Japanese Samurai swordsman, teacher, and poet, Miyamoto Musashi. Although the coaching model is philosophical, the application is practical. Philosophy coaching culminates in a concrete plan of action (called your Warrior Plan), which you develop for any area of your life. Now, read on for more background, starting with what Aristotle said about leadership:
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The Philosopher King.
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“There will be no end to human misery until philosophers become kings, or kings become philosophers”.
Aristotle, 382 BC
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In ancient Greece around the time of Socrates, Plato and Aristotle (500 – 400 BC), there was much turmoil, war and political upheaval. The Greek states were constantly transitioning through new ideas and new forms of government. The philosophers of the time saw the cost of ego, territorial hunger and short sightedness as it played out in violence and unrest. |
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A king, they said, must be a guardian, a visionary, a judge and a manager. But, the ancient philosophers warned, if he focuses only on that, he will lose sight of the soul of his subjects. He may ignore the true authentic nature of things and people. He may discount the value of beauty and wisdom. He may sacrifice virtue for gain. Left solely to the task of increasing wealth, power and influence, the ego takes over and a world of propaganda and justification takes hold – in the words of Socrates, a realm of shadows emerges, where the distinction between "real" and "unreal" becomes blurred. Only the strongest and most unattached of leaders is able to resist the powerful seduction of power and material gain.
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According to Aristotle, the only true justification of a kingdom is to create the ideal environment for its people to achieve greatness. The state’s main job is “to provide the best life for the individuals”. But this life is not simply a matter of needs being met, it must also be a life of virtue and good actions.
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Setting aside your literal interpretations and looking at the kingdom as a metaphor for your organization, and the king as a metaphor for you, consider that leaders need philosophical perspective to accomplish their missions just as Aristotle suggested for the kings of his time. This assertion is at the heart of a whole new approach to business consulting, first proffered by world-renowned business management consultant, Dr. Charles Smith.
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The Merlin Factor
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In 1994, Dr. Charles Smith published an article proposing a ground-breaking theory about corporate success and failure. The premise of his article, entitled “The Merlin Factor“ (which later became a book), was that true greatness needed a particular kind of mentor. Not just a coach or a consultant, but someone who was powerfully committed to the leader’s success. Someone like Merlin.
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Balancing results with truth
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Merlin was the mentor and teacher of the legendary King Arthur. The mystical city of Camelot was actually a divine position in time and space, occupied equally by the knowledge of Glastonbury – the city of laws, trades and architecture – and the virtues of Avalon – the city of chivalry, bravery, honor and vision. Together these two cities formed the perfect kingdom, one that was harmoniously balanced between providing the structures and material needs of the body and the source and cause of truth. |
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King Arthur’s job was to maintain this balance. It was as important for the pipes and buildings to be working as it was for the philosophies and values to be sound. Merlin understood that a truly great kingdom could not have one without the other. (In fact, the fall of Camelot came when this balance was tipped in favor of personal power and greed.) And so, Merlin provided whatever King Arthur needed to keep Camelot balanced upon this mystical pedestal. According to Dr. Smith, Merlin is a metaphor for committing oneself to another’s success, for the sake of an ambitious, worthwhile purpose. This commitment requires that Merlin be willing to say, at all times, what is the truth, regardless of how difficult or unpleasant it is to hear. |
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Thinking from the future
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Among Merlin’s many assets was that he spoke from the future, not as things were, or are now, but as they were to become. The Philosopher Coach calls this the “Super Reality”. |
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The Super Reality is the vast unexamined realm of what’s possible. Distinct from positive thinking or goal setting, the Super Reality is the domain of free thinking consisting of hundreds of millions of ideas and divergent paths. It exists around us all the time, but most people are too focused on their daily activities and challenges to open up to it. Yet, it contains the very answers you are looking for!
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The Philosopher Coach
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For those people with an unfulfilled dream, a great ambition or a daunting mission, a Philosopher Coach is the perfect resource for you. A Philosopher Coach is the “philosopher” to your “king or queen”. He is the Merlin to your Arthur. A Philosopher Coach is not limited by what is happening in the current reality, but seeks to create from the future. King Arthur needed Merlin. Any leader, especially one who seeks a grand vision, does also.
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The Philosopher Coach’s job is to:
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Be committed to your particular greatness, listening for what is authentic and true for you and ensuring that you are taking the actions that honor your greatness.
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Recognize where the goals of your organization may be in conflict with your soul, or where in your life you are not experiencing that “full and perfect participation of being”.
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Help you come from a FUTURE—to see what is available in the Super - Reality -- beyond the limitations of what you see right now. |
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Bring the balance of Glastonbury and Avalon to your organization and your life.
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How It Works
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The Philosopher Coaching program is a two-part strategy delivered during one-on-one sessions of approximately one hour each. The sessions are delivered in person or via phone and at a frequency of approximately one session per week. Starting with the Awaken Your Warrior program, we lay the foundation of distinctions, language and theories. This 12-hour program is not a simple instructional course; it is a demanding and revealing process that leads us to the creation of your Warrior, or, in Charles Smith's example, we create your "King Arthur" (or Queen Elizabeth as the case may be!). |
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From there we are able to tackle any issue you desire, the only requirement being that the goals and outcomes must be worthy of your greatest self. As your Philosopher Coach, I have studied dozens of philosophers, some of the world’s greatest thinkers. Together, we will apply this philosophical thinking to the modern-day challenges of producing results in your personal and business life. Along the way, you will become your own great thinker. |
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Philosopher Coaching isn't for every person in every situation. If what you need is advice or answers on how to do something better, this probably won't be what you're looking for. I don't have any answers. In fact, I subscribe to the theory put forth by Socrates, who insisted that the greatest teachers were not those who had the most information (those are experts). The greatest teachers, he said, were those that created the "space of learning". Well, that's what I will do for you. During our work together, you will learn and you will get better, but it won't be because I gave you the answers. It will be a result of what you create and what you cause. |
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Merlin didn't always tell King Arthur what he wanted to hear. He didn't always agree with his king's actions or motives. But he always spoke the truth. He alwaya told King Arthur what he needed to hear. And that's what I'll do for you.
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What people say about Fred Tutwiler, The Philosopher Coach:
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"I have had the unique opportunity to be on both sides of “Coaching” conversations with Fred Tutwiler in the decade we have known one another. Not only is Fred insightful, fun and a scholar of the ages, he also has an uncanny ability to get to the core of any Human issue. If you are in a coaching relationship with Fred you will produce results, if that is what you are looking for. I’ve noticed that most people would rather talk about producing results instead of doing what needs to be done to actually have a result produced. But, if you’re up to the challenge (and I do mean challenge), of getting past your own limitations, known and unknown to yourself, then working with Fred will help you produce unimaginable results." |
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Tony Williams - Small Business Owner; Former Center Manager for Landmark Education, Atlanta, GA
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“My work with Fred Tutwiler has been a brutally honest process, at times confrontational, but always valuable. He knows little to nothing about soccer, yet he made me a better coach. You have to be willing to work through his process, willing to change. But if you are, you will be rewarded!”
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Marcia McDermott - Business Consultant; Speaker; Former Head Coach WUSA Carolina Courage (Women’s Professional Soccer); 4 time All-American athlete, UNC Women's Soccer, Chicago, IL
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"Fred Tutwiler is a perfect coach. He is incredibly committed to the people he works with. He doesn't just hear what you say, he hears what you don't say, and gets you to understand how decisive that is. In my years working with Fred, he has never given me advice or told me what to do. He always reminds me of my greatness, or my soul, and helps me see what actions are consistent with that. He understands the human machinery better than anyone I've met." |
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Barry K. Selman, LCSW , Psychotherapist in Private Practice, Chapel Hill & Apex, NC
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Fees |
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Rate per hour (minimum 16 hr contract to start) |
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$300.00 |
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Special programs and work with groups or multiple clients are available and are priced on a case-by-case basis. |
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What's Next? |
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Set up a FREE complimentary coaching session with me to see if I'm the kind of resource you need. |
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Subscribe to my periodic coaching series "The Philosopher's Edge". This is an e-mail message in which I'll apply some interesting philosophical idea to a particular contemporary business or cultural issue. This will be unconventional, and sometimes controversial thinking, but always useful. There is no cost and no obligation and it's guaranteed to make you think! (Click here for a sample) |
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Sign up for my distribution list and I'll keep you posted on new material, new books and publications I've written and any programs we have coming up. By the way, if you do subscribe to any of my lists, I promise I won't share your information with anyone! I HATE SPAM TOO! |
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Please provide the following information if you are intested in participating in Philosopher Coaching. You will only be contacted directly if you request a complimentary coaching session and provide a contact phone number. By submitting this information, you will receive periodic e-mail messages from me. |
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Read an excerpt from Fred's upcoming book "Invisible Leadership" |
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Click here to read the section on "WORTHY ACTIONS". |
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