Several years after my first hands-on training course to become a systemic coach I was exploring various options to deepen my knowledge as well as my experience with regard to coaching. Trainings in this respect are a dime a dozen… so where to start and which one to choose? By chance I seized the opportunity to join CTI’s Fundamentals course during my first year at Roche and I have to tell you: I was hooked immediately 😊 Tina de Meeus and Dori Ben-Chanoch … have been marvellous teachers & true leaders.
True leaders, which do not create followers – true leaders, which create more leaders.
Consequently there was no doubt: I truly wanted to continue this learning journey with CTI with the end goal of becoming a certified co-active coach myself.
And what is it that makes co-active coaching so unique?
For me the answer to this question is best given by Karen Kimsey-House et al, the authors of the book “Co-Active Coaching - 4th edition The proven framework for transformative conversations at work and in life” themselves:
Co-active coaching is not about solving problems – although problems will be solved
Co-Active coaching is not primarily about improving performance, attaining goals, or achieving results, although all of that will certainly happen over time in an effective co-active coaching relationship.”
We [i.e. the authors of the 4th edition of “co-active coaching”] believe that coaching is chiefly about discovery, awareness, and choice. It is a way of effectively empowering people to find their own answers, encouraging and supporting them on their path as they continue to make important choices.”
Building on that I would like to add my own thoughts & insights – based on my own experience with co-active coaching.
"Co-active coaching is not about solving problems – although problems will be solved.”
I love this approach as it shifts the focus from the problem to the whole person. And the interesting part? Although it is so appealing and I am so very much in resonance with this approach – it is at the same time so hard to do. In my daily routine kind of the first principle – if not to say my first nature – is to be very solution oriented. Any problem – any challenge if you will – is not something to dread about. No. It simply is something that needs to be dealt with. And the next solution to a problem is lurking around the corner. So, hearing from a client’s problem and not jumping to conclusions and solutions how to get it over with, needs an effort to “unlearn”.
To “unlearn” the attitude of solution-orientation which did not always come naturally and took some time to become first nature.
The alternative?
Focussing on the whole person, being curious and exploring what’s there – in order either move forward or to deepen the experience.
"Co-active coaching is not primarily about improving performance, attaining goals, or achieving results, although all of that will certainly happen over time in an effective co-active coaching relationship.”
I can relate to this a lot as well. In my career I came across statements and beliefs in the sense of “oh, this is your first leadership position – now I understand why you are “offered” (meaning: summoned to) some coaching sessions… as you are not good enough / not experienced enough / not fast enough on your own … you need a coach to help and train you in order to become better, more effective, more efficient, more authoritarian, …” and every time I was confronted with such beliefs I was taken aback as this was not my approach to coaching at all. Instead my perception of coaching is very similar to the following:
“We believe that coaching is chiefly about discovery, awareness, and choice. It is a way of effectively empowering people to find their own answers, encouraging and supporting them on their path as they continue to make important choices.”
- the authors of the 4th edition of “co-active coaching"
YES, that’s the kind of coaching I want to offer. Which is why I was convinced that becoming a certified co-active coach is my way to go.
& my learning journey as well as my coaching sessions – being a COACH as well as being a coachee - so far proved me absolutely right.
“Out beyond ideas of wrongdoing
and rightdoing, there is a field.
I'll meet you there.
When the soul lies down in that grass
the world is too full to talk about.
What you seek, is seeking you.”
RUMI
So, let me ask you:
Which answers are you struggling with?
hihihi… yes, I know… you would normally ask “ which questions are you struggling with?” but isn’t it true, that we struggle with the answers as well – from time to time… especially if our gut tells us sth which our head starts to reason with and we end up with an inner conflict of “whom” (which inner voice) to trust & follow …
Me & my co-active coaching skills are here for you … to encourage and support you on your path towards new possibilities, making important choices.
Comments