Mike, my first 'real' introduction to coaching, was on the day that I met you, in a home in Cape Town. Sunny Stout Rostron used her ample influence to help me to persuade you to allow me into your first, fully registered and already underway, i-coach Master's programme. To quote from one of your favourite books, Mastery, (George Leonard), ..."if you intend to take the journey of mastery the best thing you can do is arrange for first rate instruction". He also says,"Knowledge, expertise, technical skill and credentials are important, but without the patience and empathy that go with teaching beginners, these merits are nothing". All of the above qualities, are my experience of you Mike.

In that first year, I fell flat on my face.

Our written, telephonic and face-to face interactions after that, fulfilled my life's learning dream; a dream to feel heard and understood and supported, by a teacher. You saw through my mask and with 'silk and sword' you inspired me to pick myself up, believe in my own potential, and you encouraged me to find my own voice. From that day to this I have not stopped striving and learning to do just that, and have developed a body of work that I just know you would be proud of. I am close to submitting this piece of work, that has been called a 'multiple PhD.' I have followed your lead and challenged the academic system, adult learning and the current way of coaching, by adding a thin, but I believe significant, new layer to your beloved coaching profession, that you so bravely pioneered in this country.

You have inspired me 'to find my signature presence' and to be able to make explicit what I do. This I am proud to report to you, I have truly done.

I thank you Mike for setting me on the yellow brick road to finding my coaching
emerald city. I have had many amazing teachers on this 'train ride' (David Lane; lecture 2004.) Thanks for teaching me the importance of 'sitting at the feet of masters' (George Leonard, in his first principal for mastery). We spent a powerful day with you on this book. It is integrated into my work.

Our connections were brief but powerful. Goes to show that you can make a lasting impact in minutes. I am sad that I will not right now, as I had planned to do, be able to report back to you and show you the results of your inspiration, energy, humility and belief in others. I now need to defer to when we meet up again, in wherever we go from here. You lived well and made a very big difference in this little life Mike; thanks to you I feel so much closer to mastery in our joint passion - coaching.

Rest well and I thank you.

Cathy Yuill
i-coach masters
class of 2004 -5 (I think)