Humor in Coaching - Yes, no, maybe?
Pedja Jovanovic, MCC
Managing Director @ Atria Group International | Master Certified Coach (ICF)
Although everyone knows what humor is, I always find useful going back to the definition. It usually brings additional clarity to initial question. Wikipedia defines humor?as tendency of experiences to provoke?laughter?and provide?amusement.
The term derives from the?humoral medicine of the?ancient Greeks, which taught that the balance of fluids in the human body, known as humours controlled human health and emotion.
So, as a communication tool, humor brings into interpersonal relation two main ingredients:
As such, humour can be an important tool in coaching (primarily in Co-Creating the Relationship, International Coaching Federation).
However, since it’s hard to do it well and easy to do it badly, most coaches tone it down. Instead of using it as a tool that can help with client’s relaxation and rapport building, coach tend to take themselves and process way too seriously and in general avoid it. Most coaches are afraid to endanger trust and safety by using it, but they miss that one of the ICF indicators of cultivating trust and safety is
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demonstrates openness and transparency as a way to display vulnerability
Coaching with a sense of humor does not make one less professional, in fact, it can open up new possibilities and make a coach more relatable. If it use properly, humor can lighten a mood and bring a sense of companionship to coach-client relationship.
When people laugh, endorphins are released. Endorphins give a feeling of well-being and supports client to think effectively. Most productive humor cannot be planned on the coach’s part but it can be trained. In order to do that, first thing that is needed is to allow yourself to follow your intuition and let it comes out, surprises and lightens the atmosphere.
Here are my top five reasons why humour is not just possible but really important for mastery in co-creating coach-client relationship:
So... don't take yourself too seriously, after all this is coaching, not accounting.
Your partner is another human being, so bring the lightness in this process of co-creation.
If you would like to further explore the importance of humor in coaching, register for International Coaching Week 2022 with xMonks where we will talk about how to bring humor to your?#coaching?game.?
Executive Transformation Coach | Guiding Senior Leaders Through Personal & Professional Crossroads | Psychologist & Leadership Consultant |
2 年Yes, we shouldn’t take ourselves too seriously??I believe humor can heavily shift our boundaries and belief systems. And I have already experienced several times with clients that humor helped out ease client while creating the vision…once client silenced the realist and was able to use humor as part of vision, insight was unexpected and very honest!??I love humor during coaching sessions!thanks Pedja Jovanovic, MCC for pointing that out!
Brand - Marketing Specialist
2 年In my opinion, humor is always welcome. I will use a metaphor: It could be like a good spice in coaching process. But coach must be carefull with dose of it. Nobody likes too salty dish. And I suppose coaches can predict in few sessions who of their clients likes humor more or less.
Leadership Coach ?? | Turning business owners into people leaders ??
2 年Love this Pedja, thank you! I believe there is plenty of space for humour/fun in coaching and business in general. With regards to coaching conversations I use humour: - to build rapport and create a connection with the coachee - when the client is stuck and gives permission for joint brainstorming - suggesting wild/funny/ridiculous options can open up new points of view and possibilities - when challenging, although this one needs to be used with caution it can really help the client think differently about their topic I appreciate that using humour can take the spotlight off the client and put it on the coach, so picking the right moment is crucial when using humour. When used right, I believe it can be really powerful.
Co-founder & Brand Director @Fitsee | Executive branding and influence coach | Helping entrepreneurs & CEOs grow their personal brands
2 年Love this Pedja! And I absolutely agree with this part, “So... don't take yourself too seriously, after all this is coaching, not accounting.” Humor in that sense can also be a tool to a better session but also a great way to release and make yourself relatable, just like you stated.
Consulting
2 年Grand!