Coaching is listening for a voice. More accurately, at deeper levels, for 4 voices. Firstly, the voice of the client: his or her concerns, aspirations, thoughts and feelings. This is the traditional focus of coaching and counselling, seeking to hear the client, to listen, pay attention, help the client to hear his or her own voice more clearly. Secondly, the voice of the client’s environment: his or her background, experience and context. It’s what Gestalt calls the field. The introjects, assumptions, cultural norms and systemic constructs that shape and speak implicitly through the client’s outlook and experience. The hidden voices behind the client’s voice. Thirdly, the voice of God: revealing, guiding, challenging and consoling. The clear, confusing, mysterious voice of God who whispers in sound, in silence, through the visible and invisible. The God who is the Word, who speaks the eternal Divine language behind human language, calling us inwards, outwards, towards and beyond. And finally my own voice: my learning, intuition, experience and discernment. It’s about listening for a resonance, a dissonance, a sense of harmony with the client, with his or her world, with God. It’s an art, a science, an energetic struggle, a dance. It’s a precious and challenging call, but the potential for transformation is significant.
16 Comments
Naomi
15/1/2022 10:10:06 am
Very profound!
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Nick Wright
15/1/2022 10:10:57 am
Thank you, Naomi. I experience these things as very profound too.
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Joan Johnson
15/1/2022 10:11:34 am
Beautifully articulated, Nick ... and why I am also compelled to coach.
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Nick Wright
15/1/2022 10:12:12 am
Thanks Joan. I like your use of the word 'compelled' as it resonates for me with the notion of feeling 'called'. I sometimes think of compulsion as an inner push and calling as an outer pull. My work in coaching feels like a dynamic combination of both.
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David Bayne
15/1/2022 10:13:05 am
Nice, Nick and I was listening to the late Wayne Dyer this morning during my exercise and he was talking about "silence". In silence you will find the answers and the voice! Thanks.
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Nick Wright
15/1/2022 10:15:40 am
Thank you, David! On that theme, you may find these short related pieces interesting?
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Frank Bolaji Irawo
17/1/2022 12:39:06 pm
Love the expansion of 4 voices
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Nick Wright
17/1/2022 12:48:45 pm
Thank you, Frank. I would reframe the 4 dimensions and voices as: client; client's environment (inc 'universe'); God; coach.
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Stella Goddard
20/1/2022 02:18:50 pm
A thought provoking piece Nick. Much to reflect on. Thank you. My sense is that voices are a creative force - what is said, the tone, the situation, the intention. What are we creating with our voice? There are so many voices - some are really loud and may drown out the inner voice leading to a sense of 'I am not important' 'I have nothing to say that is of importance' I would suggest that we need to be wise about which voices we choose to listen to and be influenced by.
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Nick Wright
20/1/2022 02:27:09 pm
Thank you, Stella. You have have given me much to reflect on too.
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Hugh Albright
20/1/2022 11:19:29 pm
Coaching spirituality is a slippery slope.
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Nick Wright
20/1/2022 11:29:27 pm
Hi Hugh. I would certainly agree that imposing any belief system on a client would be both unethical and counter to the spirit and practice of coaching. Some would argue that offering guidance is too, especially since it isn't possible to offer guidance that is beliefs or values-neutral.
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Hugh Albright
21/1/2022 10:01:25 am
Thank you for your detailed comments. They are 100% valid.
Nick Wright
21/1/2022 10:02:04 am
Thank you, Hugh. You're welcome.
John Vanek
1/2/2022 12:06:25 pm
Coaching for me is a kind of beautiful empty space that is filled by the act of listening to the client. It might contain spirituality via the client, it might not. The space is open and many depths can be reached through the act of listening.
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Nick Wright
1/2/2022 09:54:55 pm
Hi John. 'A kind of beautiful empty space'. I like that!
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Nick WrightI'm a psychological coach, trainer and OD consultant. Curious to discover how can I help you? Get in touch! Like what you read? Simply enter your email address below to receive regular blog updates!
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