The trapped bumble bee

I was told a lovely story about a bumble bee yesterday by storyteller extraordinaire Andrew Thorp.

He was talking about coaching, and used a powerful and moving metaphor about how the application of my profession compares to that of a trapped bumble bee.

It’s one I’d not heard before, and stuck with me – the story went something like this:

A bumble bee realises one day that it is trapped between the window pane and the curtain. It’s not sure how it got there, but it did. It knows there’s a way out, in fact through the glass it can even see where it needs to get to.

The bee struggles, whirring it’s wings frantically trying to escape this trap.

Occasionally it stops and assesses the surroundings, keeping an eye on the destination through the impenetrable glass wall, but really not being able to see the way to get to the other side.

The bee is tiring, beginning to feel hopeless, and it really needs help – it needs someone to open the window above and let it free, allowing it to continue on it’s way to where it was originally going.

And it happens finally, someone comes along and flings the window open. The bee feels a draft, then the rush of fresh air come through the window overhead, senses freedom and hoists itself upwards and out to the world again.

The role of the coach

The role of the coach is often to open that window. To help our clients see their destination clearly, help them work out if a diversion might be needed to get back on track, maybe work out a new purpose, to find strength, to provide that clear sight, to get us back on that right path, and to help us find the strength to not give up.

So if you ever feel like you’re that bumble bee, you know where to turn – find someone who can help you see the way out, and help you get there. Find out more about the coaching I provide here.

Thanks Andrew, this story really stuck with me – you see I’ve been that bumble bee.

Footnote – Andrew Thorp is an inspirational speaker and storyteller – see more about Andrew here, or connect with him on Twitter @AndrewThorp