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Colourful coaching…

nuggetsoflearning • October 28, 2019

The nuggets approach to coaching is a visual map of the coachee’s thinking.

To begin working with a client the most crucial starting point is to establish good rapport. Therefore I might even give a taster if there is no previous contact. If the individual and company are known I still like to do the first two sessions within a fortnight of each other.

The venue ideally is away from their office, however space and seclusion are key. Walls or a table top are crucial to display post-it notes.

When we first meet I set the scene of where coaching sits and what they should expect. I draw three steps to show the difference between:-

Counselling – past experience (not an area a coach will step into)
Coaching – present – can pass judgement and has a vested interest
Mentoring – future – not necessarily vested interest and can pass judgement

As a coach I can sit between present and future and as I am employed outside the organisation I don’t necessarily have the same boundaries. I can inspire and motivate clients to reach further than they imagine.

The first session we map out the goals that the client wants to work on. We usual a technique called “Hexagon Mapping” this is a visual map of what they want to achieve. A trigger question is used to get them to think around the goals. Hexagon post its are displayed and then clustered together to create, 3 or 4 goals for the client to work on.

Using the goals as a guide each session we work through their current challenges. I use coloured post-its notes to map their stream of consciousness. We photograph the post-it maps created and the client has a visual memory of their thinking. As a coach I always ensure it is their words I capture.

Purists in the coaching world believe note taking breaks the connection with client and coach. I have worked with a coach myself and I wanted and needed the prompt of what to action and move forward with and missed having notes. The work happens between the sessions and with no permanent reminder or nod to your conscience I found it hard to commit.

The benefits and the aims of my coaching follow the path below:-

Take stock – evaluate how you are currently working
Set goals – What do you want to achieve?
Boost your power – new rituals and habits
Clear the decks – identify relationships and tasks that do not add value
Get confident – find your authentic self and your voice
Move forward – new ways of working that will stick

Identifying new rituals and habits I often find is the turning point of the sessions. Making changes as to how you work and using fresh approaches to tasks is very uplifting and liberating often breaking some of those corporate chains.

We spend a lot of time on identifying what is authentic by talking around their personal brand. It often helps if they think of themselves as a product, as we can learn so much from famous brands. They have core values and a frame of reference which they can apply to themselves.

In summary Colourful coaching can uncover the real you.