Five simple ways to bring more creativity into your coaching
First of all, what do we mean by creativity? It is the elusive spark that separates humans from animals. It is the ability to create something new and valuable. We tend to think of creativity as being most important to those involved in the arts or research/ development, however everyone is capable of creativity and much can be gained from the end result, be it a new idea, approach or way of seeing the world. Your coachees may seldom say they want more creativity, however with this ability any outcome or problem can be tackled more effectively.
Creativity is the opposite of stuck thinking, caused by a psychological phenomena known as 'fixidity'. Once we get used to thinking about a situation in a certain way, it becomes very difficult to see it in any other way, even when things change. Our minds 'set' into a jelly-like mould of thought. Clean can provide a way of introducing some 'wobble', reframing perspectives and breaking free of mental habits - releasing the creativity within.
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The following ideas could be adopted by any coach, with or without Clean Coaching training, however with Clean expertise they can really fly!
1) Invite your coachee to draw their situation: Initially they may feel anxious if they have no artistic flair, however the drawing can be as abstract as they like. What's important is that they make a representation of their situation on paper. This enables them to express key aspects in a simple form, stripping out the complexity and leaving the overall shape and pattern to explore. What's more, once on paper, they can disassociate from the situation and see it more dispassionately, and by moving the paper / moving themselves around the paper it enables them to literally see things from a different perspective. Our perceptual and conceptual systems of thought use pretty much the same neural pathways so changing the visual picture can also help change what you know and how you feel about it too.
2) Use metaphors: Metaphors are more than just literary embellishments. Metaphors help people structure their conceptual thoughts into particular, unique patterns, that we take for granted as like the air we breathe, they are constantly there and we cannot not see the world without them. But, by helping someone explore the metaphors they use, inadvertently and naturally in everyday conversation, they can discover how they are holding their own thoughts in place. For instance the coachee who described their management board meeting as like a 'gunfight', took time to reflect on how they took 'pot shots' and had to duck and dive in order to get out alive. The metaphor encapsulated their beliefs. attitudes and behaviours in one powerful word. Bringing this understanding to the surface can help people consciously explore other ways of thinking with metaphors that may serve them more effectively.
3) Repeating back what the coachee has said: It's such a remarkable process I am amazed that more people don't use it. It is incredibly powerful to hear your exact words repeated back to you. Like holding a mirror to your thoughts, it helps people crystallise their thinking and take them a step further. It sounds so passive but it can be incredibly challenging. People don't notice what comes out of their own mouths until they hear it played back. Simply repeat their words and then stop speaking.
4) Think outside the box by getting outside: Wherever you start your coaching session, there is likely another space that you could go to, whether that's outside of the room, office or building itself. Fresh air invites a fresh perspective.
Walking in nature is proven to encourage creative thinking and at the very least stepping outside of any perceived boundary invites the mind to step over mental thresholds too
5) Help the coachee create a physical network of all they know about their outcome, using the available space all around them . Using David Grove's 'Emergent Knowledge' technique, "Clean Networks" combines many of the above ideas into one simple and straightforward process. Learn how to coach with Clean Networks and other EK techniques by joining us for Clean Coaching with EK Module One - starts 6th October and costs just £178.20 early bird rate. Read more over here...
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CLEAN METAPHORUM
Fri 9th Sept 2016
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A different kind of
Clean Conference
10.00am-10.00pm UK time
This is an online, experiential 'unconference' including a wide variety of live and interactive sessions, including Clean-inspired workshops, discussions, practice sessions and presentations. Organised by Judy Rees and supported by a wealth of Clean practiitioners and trainers, this is the ideal way to learn more about Clean in a flexible way and connect with like-minded people from all over the world. If you book quickly, the 'early bird' ticket price is just £27.00 for at least 12 hours of interactive sessions, representing high value and low cost. Click here to book your ticket.
I will be speaking at the Clean Metaphorum on the topic of Creativity. My session is at 11.30am UK time so be sure and come by if you can join us for this online event. You can book your ticket through this link:
http://www.eventbrite.com/e/metaphorum-2016-tickets-26370878006?aff=Clean&afu=1885383946
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FINAL CALL: CLEAN LANGUAGE FOR COACHES MODULE TWO:
"Exploring the Parts and Finding a Whole"
ADVANCED Clean Language training for Coaches, covers Systems Thinking, Modelling, Understanding Parts. Take your Clean skills to the next level. Module One (or equivalent) is prerequisite for attendance. Starts Tues 6th Sept, day and evening class options.
Three further fortnightly classes plus transcripts, demo recordings, comprehensive notes and visuals, and most importantly, supervised practice.
COST: £198.00. BOOK NOW by emailing coach@angeladunbar.co.uk
or find out more through this link:
http://www.cleancoaching.com/#/clean-language-for-coaches-mod/4535658463
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NEW EBOOK: "CREATIVE WAYS TO COACH USING CLEAN TECHNIQUES"
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This (approx) 80 page manual is being developed right now and will be available for a short while FREE OF CHARGE. Want a sneak peek? Register now for a preview copy, which will be sent to you as soon as it is ready in exchange for your feedback. Just reply to this email with the word 'preview'. Or click here for more details.
PLEASE NOTE This book is not quite finished, expected completion date will be September 2016.
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Clean Coaching with Emergent Knowledge - Online Training - Module One:
"Gaining Insight through Movement" from Thurs 6th October 2016
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This stand-alone online training course requires no previous training or experience with Clean and incorporates David Grove’s innovative EK techniques developed later in his life, including Clean Language, space, movement and the power of iteration. Consist of four fortnightly classes (day and evening options), supervised practice, recordings, transcripts and comprehensive course notes. You will learn practical processes that you can apply with your coachees for immediate results. Attend from anywhere in the world via web or telephone, full support given.
Cost just £178.20 early bird - when booked by 6th Sept latest.
Counts towards ILM endorsed accreditation. For more info: http://cleancoaching.com/#/clean-with-ek-course-details/4514472239
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