Alison's blog

The value of "thinking out aloud"

Alison — 2012-01-17T14:40:07+00:00

I was working with a small group of fellow-coaches in a practice group recently and the recurring pattern which seemed to emerge for each of us as client was that we wanted the space to think our issue through, without necessarily having a specific or tangible goal for the coaching.

I am increasingly aware that for me this is what I find most helpful – the opportunity to explore my world, out aloud, with another listening and engaging with few and pertinent questions. How this conforms to some definitions of coaching is interesting I.e. If we don't have a coaching goal and don't commit to specific action as a result of the conversation, does this mean it isn't coaching? And if it's not coaching, how do we define these conversations, which are truly productive in developing our thinking, and when the action and change may emerge when the client has left the room? And maybe part of the answer lies in how do we co-create relevant coaching contracts - be that for a session or over a period of time.

Organisational Learning and Coaching Confidentiality

Alison — 2010-12-15T17:01:00+00:00

I'm grappling with what feels like an ethical issue for we as coaches working in an organisational context. I continue to puzzle over how we can capture the recurring issues and themes that we gather through the process of the confidential coaching conversations and feed this back to the organisation without jeopardizing the identity of the individual client. And how can the organisation benefit and learn from this 'wisdom'?

In one recent discussion around this subject, we explored the idea that, in the case of a number of external coaches working across an organisation, they may come together, or even work with an external facilitator or supervisor, who in turn may compile the generic, recurring issues. The facilitator in turn then writes this up and with agreement from the coaches (and even the coachees) that sufficient anonymity has been achieved, then feed this back to senior management so that they can attend to themes such as communication, motivation, team work, decision-making without divulging coaching session content.

On reflection, I think this would have to be declared and agreed in advance with all parties, especially the coachees - and it would seem vital that they have the opportunity to 'vet' the written feedback with an option to remove any reference that would implicate the source, thus ensuring the safety of the coaching forum.

Coaching Supervision - A Current Reflection

Alison — 2010-12-12T17:01:39+00:00

I’m fascinated by my sense at the moment of what feels like a polar tension between those of us amongst the coaching community who are curious and open about the relevance and value of supervision alongside those who seem hesitant, even resistant or defensive.

As I'm noticing from diverse conversations in the field at the moment, the gap that seems to be present falls into at least two or three areas:

(1) is where we lose sight of how learning happens – Kolb’s learning cycle (plan, act, reflect, theorise) and the difference between these four stages of learning and the significance/relevance of reflection as an integral part of our sustainable learning and development

(2) is where we may not acknowledge the demanding nature of the work that we do as coaches. The whole nature of the psychodynamic phenomena that arise during this relational work, means that as the faciltators, we are liable to be affected by our clients and/or the organisational systems in which many of our clients are operating. For me then the value of supervision lies in being able to attend to any emotional elements that I may be carrying with and between my different client relationships.

(3) And finally, the process of reviewing and reflecting on my work with a supervisor enables me to notice (or have pointed out) when I may miss something from my clients or something new arises that I don't understand or know how to respond, and I need a fresh pair of eyes and ears to help me to interpret. Some people have said to me that for them this could be described as coaching. Maybe that could be the case, but for me, the purpose is less about outcomes (which I associate with coaching) and more about a process of inquiry.

Ethical Awareness Workshops

Alison — 2010-11-15T16:35:27+00:00

I've been running these periodically on behalf of the EMCC. It's really interesting getting together with fellow coaches to explore some of the dilemmas that we may find ourselves in.......A recurring issue appears to be how we contract with the client/sponsor and the client/coachee, so that everyone is clear about what to expect (and what not to expect) from the coaching relationship.

EMCC Conference in Dublin 18-20 November 2011

Alison — 2010-11-15T16:26:23+00:00

I'm going to this conference from Thursday to Saturday. See more details on the EMCC website: www.emccouncil.org/ I'll write this up on my return.

New Creative Supervision Group in Autumn

Alison — 2010-07-05T16:39:35+00:00

Here's a new opportunity to refresh and reflect on your coaching practice through a creative lens

Being an executive coach and consultant is both rewarding and challenging. You frequently have to juggle the needs of your clients with your own need for support, encouragement, feedback and making time to reflect on your practice.

In Autumn 2010 I'll be offering this opportunity for a small group of six professional coaches to work together with a particular focus on the use of creative resources to explore your client work and coaching practice. As a result, you’ll gain an understanding of the effectiveness of right-brain approaches to effect change. You’ll also develop your ability to apply creative interventions in your coaching practice.

The group will be self-determining, and will co-create the learning and development goals. Together we will create the safe space for you to reflect and explore.

As a participant, you’ll be able to:
• Work with right-brained approaches such as cards and natural objects to explore and resolve client issues along with the familiar dialogic norms.
• Give and receive feedback on the content and process of your work
• Work with the group using creative interventions to enhance your facilitation skills
• Enjoy personal and professional support in a stimulating environment

Format

The group will meet for a programme of six sessions starting in Autumn 2010 (dates to be agreed by the group). Each day will run from 10.00am to 4.30pm in West London.

Fees will be £1200.00 + VAT payable in advance or alternatively £1320.00 + VAT payable by instalments.

To learn more and to enrol, call Alison on 020 8995 5485 or email her at alison@alisonhodge.com

The Discipline of Noticing

Alison — 2010-05-29T15:08:28+00:00

I've just started reading a really interesting book called 'Researching your own Practice. The Discipline of Noticing' by John Mason (Routledge, London 2002).

I'm just getting to the chapter about practitioner research - which is particularly pertinent to me as I develop my doctoral research project in coaching supervision and which will focus on our experience in the process of supervision - so what might we notice, are we disciplined in our noticing, what blinkers hold our gaze, so what do we miss?

And what's the purpose of noticing? Or being a practitioner-researcher? Ultimately, for me it's about being more effective in the service of my client.

As I write, I'm also aware that sometimes I could spend longer writing my reflections after sessions so that I accumulate more reference experiences in my reflective log. This in turn I imagine would develop my capacity and flexibility to notice new and different elements in my client work.

So, the question that this prompts for me is whether noticing is a discipline or rather a practice and way of being?

Creative Coaching Supervision Workshop

Alison — 2010-05-29T14:07:15+00:00

Sydney, Australia - 30th July 2010

I'm really pleased that I'm going to be facilitating a Creative Supervision Workshop that I've been invited to run on 30th July in Sydney Australia on behalf of ASCCANZ - the Association for Supervision, Coaching and Consultancy Australia and New Zealand.

The day will involve working with different creative tools such as visual imagery, natural objects and metaphorical objects where you'll be able to tap into your own creativity and then explore some of your client situations. As you may know, working with right-brained, creative approaches can be particularly powerful when you and your client may appear to be stuck or blocked, and we can discover amazing insights that were otherwise out of our conscious awareness.

If you're interested, you can contact me via my email address which is alison@alisonhodge.com or you can contact ASCCANZ at the following address: asccanz@three.com.au

The day will run from 09.30am - 4.30pm in Waverley, Sydney, NSW. I hope to see some of you there.

Ethical Awareness Workshop at EMCC Conference

Alison — 2010-04-30T18:27:48+00:00

I'm just gathering my thoughts for the session that I'm facilitating at the EMCC UK conference on 5th, 6th and 7th May at the Kensington Form Hotel at South Kensington in London.

I've attended and run sessions at this conference for several years now and this year it's different. It's going to be staged over 3 days instead of 2 with a special day dedicated to research in the field of coaching and mentoring. This too is a first, in terms of a dedicated day for research approaches and delegates are being invited to present their current work - hopefully will help to inform the shape and design of the first EMCC European Research Conference being planned for July 2011.

It's too early in terms of my doctoral research yet for me to contribute during this day next week....but I'm encouraged to think that there may be a dedicated forum for presenting research findings in the future. I'll share more about my research project very soon.

Creative Workshop at the AC Conference

Alison — 2010-03-10T13:13:37+00:00

It's the eve of this conference here in London. I'm really looking forward to working with up to 60 coaches using visual imagery and toy animals to explore their coaching practice.

More and more I'm finding that working this way gives people permission to gain increasing self-awareness that may otherwise be lost. So, I find that these processes of discovery are really enriching for them and for me.

I've also noticed that the more I work this way, I am opening up my own capacity to 'create' material, interventions, new approaches. Ah yes, we 'teach the things we need to learn ourselves!'. I'll report back on the conference after the weekend.

Just because we are getting older.......is it possible to change?

Alison — 2010-03-07T19:00:13+00:00

According to the latest book by Sharon Begley entitled 'The Plastic Mind'. The question that she explores from the field of neuroplasticity is that through the process of learning or training our minds, the brain can change and can generate new neurons, even as we get older. This in turn opens up the notion and reality that by changing the structure of the brain, we can alter how we think and feel. So, if we give ourselves new experiences, learn something new, do a regular activity differently, then the brain develops new neural paths along which the messages are transmitted and we continue to develop.

At the moment, this is necessarily a brief comment on the book, which I've only just started to explore. But I'm excited by first sightings as I have a significant birthday coming up this year which might indicate I'm on a slippery downward slope, and the idea that perhaps I can directly affect this descent is great. I'll add more here when I've read the book fully!

Creativity Workshop

Alison — 2010-03-07T18:41:04+00:00

A couple of weeks ago Louise and I created and facilitated a workshop for 60 employees in a county council. Our brief was to give people an experience and appreciation of the potential for right-brain thinking to inspire creativity and innovation.

Well, we had a fascinating time. In the process of preparing for the event, we mused on how best to achieve our purpose and explored all sorts of activities and exercises that we might use. However, in the end, we co-created a six-step process that took people from their right-brain creative resources through to their left-brain analytical, rational side. And the end result? Sixty different and unique descriptions of what creativity meant to each of them. Wow!

For us, this was very exciting.

We worked with drawing, visual imagery, natural objects and brain-storming. We worked very quickly through each stage and it was astonishing to see therefore how quickly people suspended their resistant 'but I'm not creative' voices and engaged with the process.

Equally exciting was how they related to each other. Many in the room did not know each other, but as they worked in small groups or pairs during each exercise, we noticed an incredible level of respectful intimacy and disclosure that was inspiring. As soon as they started working with their right brains, they suspended their rational, 'critical' judgement and gave each other permission to access their imaginations. The ideas and interpretations around creativity that emerged were very exciting and, we believe, may have given them more confidence in their capacity to 'be creative'.

Generative Conversations

Alison — 2010-02-13T14:55:43+00:00

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)

Our Task as Coaching Supervisors

Alison — 2010-02-13T14:39:01+00:00

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.

Ethical Awareness Workshops for Coaches

Alison — 2010-02-11T20:21:01+00:00

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.