A COACHING MINDSET

As a coach, the extent to which you can make a positive impact on others’ lives is contingent upon two factors – firstly, your skill and your coaching mindset, and secondly, your effectiveness as a coach. The purpose of this article is to focus on the coach’s mindset.

And having the right coaching mindset is critical for effective coaching. It provides greater knowledge of key coaching skills and encourages opportunities for personal reflection on current practice to enable growth. When you have a coaching mindset, you will expand your knowledge and understanding of coaching and facilitate an improved awareness of your relationship with your coachees.

A coaching mindset is a powerful approach that fosters growth, change, and meaningfulness, and cultivating this mindset can enhance your effectiveness.

The coaching mindset, anchored in constructivist, social constructionist, and humanistic assumptions, leads to several key coaching principles that make up the coaching mindset.

Constructivism: suggests that individuals construct their own understanding and knowledge of the world through experiences and reflection on those experiences. From a constructivist viewpoint, coaching is an opportunity for individuals to build their knowledge by interacting with their environment and making sense of experiences. A coach, in this context, is a facilitator who encourages clients to explore their thoughts, perspectives, and experiences, leading to new understandings and insights.

Social constructionism: suggests that our understanding of the world is shaped by our social interactions and the cultural context in which we live. A coach leveraging a social constructionist perspective would aim to generate new knowledge and understanding by fostering dialogue and exploration of different viewpoints.

Whilst there are many psychological influences on coaching, the dominant school within coaching is that of humanistic psychology. It is humanistic psychology that provides the core of coaching’s ontology and axiology. Again less technically, this means that it provides the assumptions about what it is to be human and what is important and valuable to us.

It is centered around a holistic understanding of the human being, emphasising personal growth, autonomy, and self-fulfillment.? Several key principles of humanistic psychology form the bedrock of the coaching mindset:

Inherent Worth of Individuals:

Humanistic psychology posits that every individual possesses inherent worth and potential. In a coaching context, this means that the coach inherently respects the client as a unique, valuable individual and believes in their capacity to grow and develop.

Focus on the ‘Whole Person’:

Humanistic psychology looks at the individual holistically, considering their thoughts, feelings, and experiences within the context of their overall life. Similarly, a coach doesn’t just focus on specific skills or behaviours but takes into account the client’s entire self – their beliefs, values, motivations, emotions, experiences, and relationships.

Self-Actualisation:

A cornerstone of humanistic psychology is the concept of self-actualisation – the inherent drive to fulfill one’s potential and achieve personal growth. A coaching mindset aligns with this concept, focusing on helping clients realise their potential, overcome barriers, and achieve their personal and professional goals.

Autonomy and Responsibility:

Humanistic psychology values personal autonomy and responsibility. In coaching, this translates into an emphasis on empowering clients to take charge of their development, make their decisions, and assume responsibility for their actions and outcomes.

Here-and-Now Orientation:

Unlike psychoanalysis, which tends to delve into the past, humanistic psychology focuses more on the present and the future. Similarly, coaching, while not disregarding the importance of past experiences, primarily focuses on the client’s current situation and future aspirations.

Unconditional Positive Regard:

This term, coined by humanistic psychologist Carl Rogers, refers to accepting and supporting a person regardless of what they say or do. In the context of coaching, it means providing a non-judgmental, supportive space for clients to express themselves freely and honestly.

In essence, humanistic psychology, with its emphasis on personal growth, autonomy, and a holistic understanding of the individual, serves as both the ontological and axiological basis for coaching.? In other words, the nature of being (ontology) is one of self-actualisation, wholeness and sufficiency, whilst the values are one of growth, respect, acceptance and celebration of uniqueness.

A coach adopting a humanistic approach aims to create a supportive, empathetic environment that empowers clients to explore their experiences, challenge their beliefs, and take steps towards their desired future.

And a coaching mindset represents a specific approach to dialogue, personal change, leadership, and collaboration – one that is characterised by asking, listening, and empathising, rather than simply instructing or commanding.

The benefits of adopting a coaching mindset are many. On an individual level, the coaching mindset fosters personal growth, enhances problem-solving abilities, and promotes self-awareness. Individuals are encouraged to take charge of their learning, adapt to changing circumstances, and continuously strive for improvement.

On an organisational level, a coaching mindset can bolster team performance, enhance employee engagement, and foster a positive, supportive culture. It promotes transparency, trust, and open communication, helping to mitigate conflicts and improve collaboration.

DEVELOPING A COACHING MINDSET

Furthermore, by cultivating a culture of continuous learning and development, organisations can stay agile and competitive in an ever-evolving business landscape.

This way of thinking forms the basis for successful coaching relationships and for creating a work environment that is conducive to growth and development.? Developing a coaching mindset isn’t something that happens overnight.? It requires time, practice, and commitment.? It also requires patience, persistence, and a willingness to step out of one’s comfort zone.

In essence, the coaching mindset is about fostering an empowering, non-judgmental, and collaborative relationship that facilitates personal growth, learning, and transformation.

Here are several approaches:

Openness and Curiosity: A coaching mindset involves being open-minded and curious. It’s about asking questions, seeking understanding, and exploring possibilities. When you maintain this mindset, you create a receptive space for growth and learning.

Flexibility: As a coach, adaptability is crucial. A coaching mindset embraces flexibility — being willing to adjust strategies, perspectives, and approaches based on the client’s needs and context. It’s about staying agile and responsive.

Self-Awareness: To embody a coaching mindset, understand where you end and your client begins. Recognize your strengths, values, biases, and assumptions. Seek self-awareness through coaching, mentorship, and personal growth.? Develop your self-awareness.?Because you cannot be client-centered if you are unaware of where you end and your client begins. It's surprising how often people are unaware of this. If you are a?help-aholic?or compulsive advice-giver, you need work here. Get to know your own?strengths?and?values, as well as your needs, biases, unhealed wounds, assumptions, and habits. It's a lot to be aware of and it will always be a work in progress, but healthy personal growth can carry a coach a long way.

Develop self-regulation: When your needs, boundaries, and self-care are well met, you can show up positively and your negative emotions are much less likely to get in the way. This can change your entire outlook as well as what you think is possible for your clients.

Know your boundaries and how to communicate them:?Just as good fences make good neighbours, good boundaries are the foundation of good relationships. What are you not okay with? What are your deal breakers? Good boundaries are clear but also flexible and boundary conversations help us navigate varied cultural perspectives, a necessary skill in the 21st Century. Boundaries are basic rules of engagement that help you and others be your best.

When you know how to communicate boundaries, you put people at ease and relationships progress more smoothly. For example: Your written agreement with your clients is a formalized set of boundaries. Most difficult issues that could come up in coaching relationships can be forestalled by what is included in that agreement. You need less formal boundaries in your relationships but don't try to live without them. By the way, sometimes the person you need to set boundaries with the most is yourself.?You can learn to set boundaries by taking training or even reading books on boundaries.?

Know your needs and get them met:?We all have them. Most of us go through life hoping ours will be met and then suffering needlessly because Needs aren't met by chance. They are our own responsibility. If we don't actively work to get them met, it's unlikely that they will be. Abraham Maslow said meeting Needs is like taking vitamins; they keep us healthy. Unhealthy coaches can't reliably maintain a coaching mindset.?

Take your self-care seriously:?Working crazy hours, eating a terrible diet, never exercising, juggling stress,? sleeping too little, and impoverished relationships can all block your coaching mindset and you may not even notice. But others will. Don't take that chance. What's one thing you know you need to start doing, or stop doing, to take care of you? Are you willing to commit to that change? Great, when can you start?

Develop your intuition, empathy, creativity, and?positivity: Western culture has long prized reason, logic, and rational thought, the so-called left-brain thinking patterns. Those qualities have taken our culture a long way. But your?brain?has two hemispheres. You can't live your best life without both. Coaching excels because it unabashedly includes other ways of thinking that are associated with the right brain. Integrate your brain so you can move back and forth seamlessly. Why does this matter? It helps provide the wisdom, flexibility, positivity and creativity that are prized in master-level coaching. And it helps you develop a coaching mindset. This leads almost effortlessly to more profound client outcomes. They are so worth it.

Engage in contemplative practices and use one or more to prepare for coaching sessions:?These will help change your brain by temporarily lowering stress. Over time, you'll develop greater perspective, more maturity, and more wisdom. Because we are all prone to stress but cannot coach well when we are in the fight, flight, fawn, or freeze response, we need these practices to prepare for coaching sessions. Traditional practices, such as?mindfulness, sitting meditation, walking meditation, prayer, chanting, and ritual can all change your brain state briefly, so they are ideal for preparing before coaching sessions, but when practiced daily for months and years, they change those relaxed states into enduring traits by integrating the brain.

If you're more secular, uncomfortable with a spiritual approach, or technology is your thing, there are powerful research-based breath exercises and verified practices based on smartphone apps and other devices.?Over time, these practices can help you strengthen your True Self and be less controlled by your ego. That can help you be happier. Your True Self (sometimes called Personal Greatness, Higher Self, Wise Self, etc.) is essentially your coaching mindset.

Live a Values-driven life:?Your Values are what really matter to you. If you are spending all your time on other matters, you cannot be your True Self, nor can you live your best life, nor may you coach masterfully. When your mindset is focused on what matters, you are thinking like a coach and can coach clients to greatness.

Keep Learning:? When you choose a coach training, look not for the acquisition of mere technical information, but for the kind of adaptive challenges that will assist you to coach at increasingly higher levels and to show up with the mindset of your True Self, Personal Greatness, or Higher Self. In other words, training that will challenge you to show up with the mindset of a coach. It's worth it.

The model can be thought of as a "vessel" for the dimensions that need to be there for successful coaching to occur. We have identified such dimensions, and they spell out the acronym MINDSET: Meaning, Insight, Nurture, Dynamism, Excellence, and Trust.?

Thus, the coaching Mindset is focused on a) evoking awareness, awareness in terms of one's purpose (Meaning), awareness of oneself (Insight), awareness of one's strengths and resources (Nurture) and b) inspiring action, consistent action, oriented at transformation (Dynamism), expansion (Search) and flourishing (Excellence) includes a dialogue founded in bonding relations (Trust).

In conclusion, a coaching mindset is a powerful tool for individuals and organisations in the 21st century. It fosters growth, development, and adaptability, equipping individuals and teams to navigate the complexities and uncertainties of the modern world. Developing a coaching mindset requires time, effort, and commitment, but the rewards – both personal and professional – are truly invaluable.

REFERENCES:

Cannon, Mark & Douglas, Susan & Butler, Deborah. (2021). Developing Coaching Mindset and Skills. Management Teaching Review. 6. 237929812110068. 10.1177/23792981211006877. Developing Coaching Mindset and Skills | Request PDF (researchgate.net) [accessed on 23/03/2024]

Dweck, C. S. (2006). Mindset: The new psychology of success. Random House. Mindset - Updated Edition: Changing The Way You think To Fulfil Your Potential (icrrd.com) [accessed on 23/03/2024]

Boysen, Sheila. (2018). Coaching Effectiveness: Coach and Coachee Characteristics That Lead To Success. Philosophy of Coaching: An International Journal. 3. 6-26. 10.22316/poc/03.2.02. (PDF) Coaching Effectiveness: Coach and Coachee Characteristics That Lead To Success (researchgate.net) [accessed on 23/03/2024]

O'Sullivan, S., (2007), The Power of a Positive Mindset, published by SOS Impact Coaching and Training, The Power of a Positive Mindset | richard oei - Academia.edu [accessed on 23/03/2024]

RESOURCES:

Choice Magazine for Professional Coaching

Division of Coaching Psychology | British Psychology Society

Coaching Today quarterly journal (bacp.co.uk)