Reflections on Walking & Coaching

We walk.

Coaching doesn’t have to be static, seated and face-to-face.

Sometimes the intensity of looking straight at someone distracts from the ease of conversation.

Sometimes speaking things out into the ether feels better in a big wide space, than in a virtual box or contained room….

Sometimes, motion matters.

So we walk.

We begin and end at a café.

The loop is never perfect, but we find on the way “out” issues are opened up, struggles are articulated, barriers and possibilities are everywhere…

We navigate pathways through the city – choosing parks and quiet side roads – a wander into a grand old cemetery brings some levity as well as perspective. Despite people and dogs and cars, we are connected and focussed on the conversation in hand.

I find I listen differently alongside. The lack of facial cues means I ask more often – how is that for you? I can “see” the words differently as I we walk. My mind has capacity to conjure up pictures and images…Some of which I share. Some of which are useful.

Challenge has more ease. ?The space around us seems to relax some of the delicacy required in smaller rooms...we can lose a little kind diplomacy and focus on clarity. Candour is impactful. It can stop someone in their tracks – literally in this environment – but the air and the life around seem to dissipate the edge of the cut-through. People are less offendable. There is a whole world to navigate, not just the sharp point of difference. They consider more freely. They walk through challenge with more grace.

Silences are easier – we can walk for minutes, lost in thought. The rhythm of feet on floor can be meditative and allows new ideas to rise and percolate.

Walking encourages physicality – arms reach out, hands are stuffed in pockets, stones kicked in frustration, heads thrown back, laughter rolling easily, -emotional landscapes are well suited to being expressed in the world. Things shift differently this way.?

We don’t need to walk fast – though sometimes that happens – the pace of thinking-and-talking can be steady. No need to get breathless and flustered. One step at a time…literally.

Then there is a turning point – physically and in the conversation. Perhaps it’s the increased awareness of the vicinity of the café and the closing of today’s conversation… but it’s here, on the return, that issues begin to be resolved, struggles are reframed, barriers are challenged, options are chosen.

We walk back and things sound different… feel different.

?We sit with a coffee, notebook out – the still after the stretch – and I find I remember the conversation clearly – mapped in the geography of the walk.? It all stays for longer, somehow. ?A loop of thought, mapped through a series of moments and shifting landscapes.

What a treasured use of time

About me:

I'm Julie Drybrough - Founder of fuchsia blue ltd. An experienced Organisational Consultant, Executive Coach/ Supervisor, Writer & Speaker.

Pragmatic, forthright and kind, I work with people & organisations to improve conversations, relationships & learning. Doing stuff with love.

If you want to talk to me about Coaching, Supervision, Leadership or change contact fuchsiablue to find out more or book a space to chat.