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February 13, 2010

Generative Conversations

Another really interesting conversation - I seem to be having a lot of these at present and it's really energising. We were discussing generative conversations - for me I've experienced these with two colleagues in particular, where we can each share exactly what is occurring to us at the time and it's not experienced as an interruption or competing for air time or to win an argument. The resultant content that emerges is enriched by each intervention, which we experience as information to add to our discussion rather than a diversion or trying to take control or however else this might be interpreted.

I'm sure there are masses of books written about this approach and probably the best known is William Isaacs 'Dialogue' (1999)

Posted by Alison at 02:55 PM | Comments (0)

Our Task as Coaching Supervisors

I had a really interesting conversation with a colleague the other day where we explored the issue of coaching supervisors' accountabiiity to the coaching profession when working with our coach/clients.

Certainly my experience has been that the coaches who come to work with me are extremely mindful that they are practising effectively and in the best interests of their clients. At the same time, I don't think we've established a clear set of guidelines for supervisors in the event that we are faced with a coach with whom we have concern over their efficacy and standard of work.

Certainly in my own supervision, I have a belief that if I am missing something or I'm not being effective, then my supervisor will draw my attention to that aspect of my practice which is not 'adequate' or needs improvement.

I'm aware too that as a supervisor, I am seeking to explore my client's coaching practice in such a way that we consider fresh and different ways to enable them to develop. So far, I've not found myself wondering if the coach is bringing the profession into disrepute because of poor practice......I imagine I will cross this bridge all in good time.

And in the meantime, as coaches become more confident to engage in reflective practice and be held to account for their work, then the 'normative' task of supervision, as distinct from the 'formative' and 'restorative' aspects (Proctor) will be explicitly acknowledged.

Posted by Alison at 02:39 PM | Comments (0)

February 11, 2010

Ethical Awareness Workshops for Coaches

London 25th February Leeds 16th March

I'm facilitating a number of Ethical Awareness Workshops on behalf of the EMCC (European Mentoring and Coaching Council) during the next few months. These evening workshops give professional coaches an opportunity to explore ethical dilemmas and with the help of the Code of Ethics they can consider the diverse choices and decisions available when dealing with 'tricky' issues.

Events are open to non-members and you can get more details from http://www.emccouncil.org/uk/public/calendar_of_events/index.html
Cost ranges from £30.00-£45.00 per person per session.

Posted by Alison at 08:21 PM | Comments (0)

Mindfulness Practice

As you know, I joined several other facilitators for an evening of mindfulness practice sessions for coaches last week. My session explored the following questions which have occurred for me during my tai ji and meditation learning:
“What happens to our mental or emotional balance when we are out of physical balance?
What happens to our presence when our attention wanders? How do we bring our attention back to the ‘now’?

Using exercises from tai ji, we explored the process of just standing, just gently moving and just walking, both alone and with others in a single file. Taking time to slow down, notice what is happening in our bodies, how our minds wander and how this can throw us off balance, were some of the elements that we explored. People acknowledged how difficult they found trying to stay in step behind someone else and we pondered on the reasons for that. We acknowledged how comfortable it is to ‘walk in our own way’ and of course this raised a question of how this might impact on our client relationships.

Some participants already have some form of meditation practice and they found applying this to walking gave them a new perspective and in fact seems a possible approach to offer coaching clients. Others noticed that one or other side of their bodies used more energy and can distract their focus – so, we pondered how this may impact on their emotional and mental attention. Indeed, it may make no difference at all, but merely the fact of bringing this into awareness raised people’s interest. We enjoyed working largely in silence and moving physically rather than sitting, and either thinking and/or in dialogue.

And I continue to marvel at how this practice enables me to notice when I am in touch with and attending to what is happening in the present moment as distinct from reflecting on what happened yesterday or what might happen tomorrow. As my teacher suggests: the only reality is now!

Posted by Alison at 08:14 PM | Comments (0)

February 05, 2010

Mindfulness in Coaching

This subject is becoming very topical in the field of coaching. And of course, people have been practising this for thousands of years.

However, with fellow facilitators from the AC Co-Coaching Forums in London, we jointly ran an open learning event last night. For me it was the first time that I actively and overtly shared my tai ji and meditation practice with colleagues as I facilitated a couple of short sessions doing walking meditations.

I have been working with my teacher, Ad Brugman, for 15 years now (see Touching Stillness calendar in the What's On Section of my web site). Through the practice, I have really appreciated how developing my mindfulness has informed how I work with my clients, particularly in terms of being present. And when my attention wanders, as it inevitably can, I have learnt how to 'bring myself back'!

I chose to share walking meditation last night because for me it is a very powerful informant of what's happening within me. I find that when my attention wanders during this practice, my steps wobble, my balance is unsteady. For me, I find there is a strong connection between this and what may be happening at a mental or emotional level too. So, by attending to my physical balance, I may bring 'the rest of me' into balance at a literal and metaphorical level.

I enjoyed the evening and especially how everyone responded with curiosity and appreciation of how powerful the work can be. Maybe I'll do it again as facilitator, and maybe too I'll just stay with the practice and appreciate how it supports me and subsequently those around me.

Posted by Alison at 03:03 PM | Comments (0)

"Immunity to Change" - Kegan & Lahey

I know that I wrote a brief review of the book of this title in my book list, but since then I've virtually finished reading it from cover to cover. I really like it. Very clearly, the authors describe a potent process to enable people to define their development goals, identify how they unintentionally sabotage themselves and, more importantly, are able to explore their underlying assumptions and limiting beliefs that can prevent our consciously declared intentions to change.

The other aspect of the approach that I like is the acknowledgement that transformational and lasting change does not necessarily happen quickly or easily. Just adopting new behaviours does not allow for us to come to terms instantly with how these differences may represent a new sense of our own identity and how we want to be in the world.

It's available at www.amazon.co.uk

Posted by Alison at 02:49 PM | Comments (0)