NICK WRIGHT
  • Home
  • About
  • Services
  • Testimonials
  • Articles
    • Organisations and leadership
    • Learning and development
    • Coaching and counselling
  • Blog
  • e-Resources
  • News
  • Contact
  • Home
  • About
  • Services
  • Testimonials
  • Articles
    • Organisations and leadership
    • Learning and development
    • Coaching and counselling
  • Blog
  • e-Resources
  • News
  • Contact

Next

16/2/2016

67 Comments

 
​I write, therefore I think. I guess you could call that Descartes for Introverts. A journal editor contacted me this week to invite me to draft an article. The guidelines propose having a clear idea of content and structure from the outset. I get the point, I see the logic, but I’m aware I don’t write like that. I don’t think I even think like that. Often I don’t know what I think, what I want to say, until I start to write. This means that, for me, writing is an exciting adventure of exploration, discovery and promise. It’s as if each word, each sentence, opens the way for what could emerge, what could surprise, what will reveal itself, next.

I sometimes experience a similar phenomenon when I lead, teach, coach, facilitate. In the past, I would prepare…and prepare…so that I would be, well… – prepared. Now I notice I’m more interested in preparing myself. How to be present, curious, open to the person, open to the group, open to God, open to the moment: noticing what is preoccupying my thoughts, how I am feeling emotionally and physically, what is holding my attention, what I’m not noticing, what stories I’m telling myself. It's about learning to risk just one step forward with awareness, intention and belief in what could unfold, what will become, next.
​
This attitude, this stance, is invitational by nature. It reaches out to inquire, share, collaborate and co-create. It’s so different to a defensive, defended posture, trying to hold the ‘other’ or the future at bay to protect and preserve. It’s a willingness to be vulnerable, not-know, let go of control, move out and trust. It’s not easy to sustain this state if work and relationships feel pressured and stressed. It's easy to fall back. Yet it can be a place of great fruitfulness, alive and life-giving. It can be a sacred space where love thrives and where hope is truly transformational.  It calls for a leap of faith. Just one step. Next.
67 Comments
Hamish Taylor
16/2/2016 09:13:15 pm

Beautiful! I so identify with the thoughts that you are talking about - when facilitating sessions or in making thought-provoking presentations, I often find myself thinking, "Where did that come from?" and it is all about being in the frame of mind to be inspired by what is happening around you and therefore suddenly you can be inspiring to others... Really strongly appreciate the stream of consciousness you've shared so eloquently above! Regards Hamish.

Reply
Nick Wright
16/2/2016 09:24:12 pm

Many thanks, Hamish. I love the way you express that, 'Where did that come from?' experience. I find that the more curious I am about myself, the people I'm with, where we are and what is happening in the moment, the more insight and inspiration I'm able to feel, notice and offer in my work. When speaking or training, in spite of however much planning and preparation I've done beforehand, I rarely know exactly what I'm going to say or do until I actually stand or open my mouth to speak. There is something about being present in the here and now moment that can feel so energising, so powerful, so alive. There are important parallels and connections here for me with my Christian life and experience - taking leaps of faith, trusting God in the moment: 'Your word is a lamp to my feet, a light to my path.' With thanks again for your kind words of encouragement and inspiration. Nick

Reply
Hamish Taylor
17/2/2016 09:51:57 am

Nick if I may add one more compliment, it would be to those customers who hire me (and indeed others like me) and now know me well enough to trust me to "go with the flow" - I never take that for granted, hence your comments about being "well prepared" and "getting in the right frame of mind" ring so true. It is never about "winging it" or "flying by the seat of your pants" but so much more about "feeling it, living it and in fact being it". Hope this doesn't sound pretentious as I am painfully conscious that it only ever really works in a climate of trust and openness - that takes courage from clients, colleagues and collaborators alike.

Nick Wright
17/2/2016 10:06:33 am

Thanks, Hamish. I think that's a very important distinction you make between being well-prepared, being in the moment and winging it or flying by the seat of your pants. The latter (unless in a crisis) feels disrespectful to our clients, ourselves, the work we are called to do.

Two quotations come to mind. The first from Carl Jung: 'Learn your theories as well as you can - and put them aside when you touch the miracle of the human soul.' I love that. It's about preparing well but not allowing our preparations to unhelpfully interfere with our awareness, insight, relationship and practice with a real person here-and-now.

The second is from Bruce Lee: 'Perfect style is no style.' Lee had mastered a range of martial arts (styles) through perseverence and hard practice over many years. In the here-and-now moment, however, he would trust near-instant intuition and instinct over conscious technique and trust that what he had learned would, somehow, shine through.

I like your courage...and how this is something for both coach and client, born out of and reinforcing trust. With thanks again and best wishes. Nick

Natalia Braun ACC
17/2/2016 10:10:34 am

What a wonderful article! So much reflecting my experience and sensations! Thank you, Nick!

Reply
Nick Wright
17/2/2016 10:13:42 am

Thanks for such encouraging feedback, Natalia. I'm pleased it resonated with you too! Your comment reminds me of the profound difference between writing as process and writing as experience. There's something, for me, in the latter that it's easy to miss if we focus too much on words, grammar, structure etc. All the best. Nick

Reply
Keith Lannon
17/2/2016 10:14:33 am

Great post!

Reply
Nick Wright
17/2/2016 10:15:01 am

Thanks Keith. All the best. Nick

Reply
Dave Smith
17/2/2016 11:34:04 am

I don't honestly think you *can* create a truly open-ended stance; as a trainer/coach/facilitator/writer you can create the illusion that it's free and open but you know structural constraints else you're in danger of meandering without direction and missing the training objectives.

In the same way I've seen discussion here with pretty vague objectives, such as "I need a time management workshop. What to do?" - given such an open-ended question, any number of answers will suffice, and until we narrow down what ISN'T needed do we begin to prioritise content and discard unnecessary distractions from the true purpose of the course.

I was once briefed with "we could just throw a jigsaw in the middle of the room and see where it takes us" but without any clear objectives... how do you market and sell such a course? That may be one particular activity, but all activities serve as points along the journey, a journey with a defined destination (which may not be known to the audience).

Reply
Nick Wright
17/2/2016 11:47:33 am

Hi Dave and thanks for posting such a stimulating challenge.

I would agree with you that, in a training context, a contract around clear goals is very important. It's about focus, scope and boundaries: 'What are we here to do?' Without a clear contract, the event (or the work, in coaching) can feel purposeless and frustrating. Your metaphor of the jigsaw made me smile. I guess it all depends on what the group is there to do.

We can also contact with groups and clients around 'How shall we do it?' which allows opportunity to respond to different learning styles, preferences and approaches and to co-create (or co-contract) a way of working that people experience as inspiring and effective and brings optimal benefit.

I think the open stance question, for me, is about the beliefs, values, attitude, affect and approach of the trainer, the coach, the leader...and how to evoke and sustain a similar spirit of curiosity and commitment in the client, the group. It's something about trust and courage that enables the practitioner to act well and be present and adaptive in the here-and-now moment.

Does that make sense? All the best. Nick

Reply
Dave Smith
17/2/2016 12:35:30 pm

Trainers should be adaptable, and I feel a key point you're making there is that plenty of "over-preparation" [1] provides you with confidence and flexibility to open and extend into areas you normally wouldn't expect to go. Limiting preparation just down to the bare minimum required narrows down extension opportunities since you'll run the risk of treading ground you'd shy away from.

I've found that the more work I've performed prior to the session means the less work I need to do on the day(s). But this comes from building up years of experience in exploring uncharted territory and knowing strategies/techniques used to return to the "beaten path" without the audience being aware they're actually contained within an open prison.

[1] there's no such thing as over-preparation, so I use this term.. well, badly, really.

Ann Todd: pgcert (psych supv),mba,ba (hons)
17/2/2016 11:49:44 am

Being open, curious and effective surely indicate a level of mastery of the topic/modality?

Is it possible to structure/control others to ANY effect?
Is it possible to structure/control others to any POSITIVE effect?

An analogy: 2 music teachers of my acquaintance. 1 structures, insists, battles to control and has succeeded in turning music into rote learning: 1 stays curious, and always finds the engagement point and is able to encourage more learning. The difference is simply that 1 is truly a musician and so is able to let go of control, he is also curious about the human being he is working with.

To whose benefit is the structure/control?

Reply
Nick Wright
17/2/2016 11:57:44 am

Hi Ann. Thanks for posting such great questions. I love your inspiring and challenging example of the different music teachers. It reminds me of how often the apparent 'resistance' we encounter can be a response to what we are inadvertently evoking in the other. I love, too, your final comment that, 'he is also curious about the human being that he is working with'. So inspiring! All the best. Nick

Reply
Jasmin
17/2/2016 01:33:34 pm

#MY CONVICTION IS THAT..ARTISTRY AND MASTERY IN THE FIELD OF LIFE DIFFER. ONES MASTER PIECE IS PLAYED PERFECTLY BY THE PIECE MAKER.#IF YOU CANT JIVE WITH THE MUSIC THEN CREAT YOUR OWN MELODY TO DANCE.#I BELIEVED EVERY TRAINOR AND COACHES STIPULATE LEVEL OF UNIQUIENESS SO NO ONE IS AUTHORIZED TO QUESTION THE STRATEGY OF EXPERIENCED BECAUSE WE WALK ON THE BASIS OF LIFES DIAGRAM AND NOT THEORIES ALONE.#LIVE YOUR OWN STANDARD AND FOCUSED YOUR OWN BELT TO IMPOWER YOUR LONG WAY OF ENGAMENT IN YOUR CAREER!!!

Reply
Bob Larcher
17/2/2016 11:51:13 am

I treat every event as something new; there is invariably a programme somewhere but I am a fairly intuitive with how I deal with it.

I also consider that I am there to learn with my participants; I have an opinion on a lot (if not all) of the subjects covered but I try to keep an open mind and discover new things.

I'm not very good at doing events "back-to-back"; I need time to wind down and recharge my batteries.

Reply
Nick Wright
17/2/2016 12:04:03 pm

Hi Bob and thanks for posting such interesting comments. I like your emphasis on treating every event as something new. Every group, every person in the group, every moment that the group is together, is new, creates opportunity for different configurations of ideas and experiences and for something new to emerge. In my experience, being aware and responsive to the people and potential in the here-and-now can be incredibly fulfilling and powerful. It can also be hard work! I, like you, need space to reflect and recover after working with people and groups in this way. All the best and thanks again for sharing. Nick

Reply
Cath Norris, MA, BA, Dip Couns
17/2/2016 12:15:34 pm

Beautiful Nick. Brings to my mind free drawing whilst trying to grasp new concepts and ways of being, allowing what would, to emerge on the paper, opening me up to the emergent...

Reply
Nick Wright
17/2/2016 12:17:49 pm

Thanks Cath. You are a great encourager! Yes, I imagine there are resonances with free drawing (which I haven't yet tried) and emergence. I'm tempted to invite you to post examples of your free drawing... ;) All the best. Nick

Reply
Kieron Heath
17/2/2016 12:18:51 pm

I think you can bring openness into the framework of your objectives, whether it's writing or training. This allows for the organic evolution of your course, style, and output.

Reply
Nick Wright
17/2/2016 12:22:17 pm

Thanks Keith. Yes, I agree. I've noticed in my own training practice that the more I've prepared and, at the same time, held content, structure etc. lightly, the more I've been able to move, flow and adapt it to the needs, interests and energy of the group. This highlights the need I have to prepare myself so that I enter and stay in that space - as well as I'm able - whilst working with the group. Does that resonate with your experience too? All the best. Nick

Reply
Priya Ramesh
17/2/2016 12:28:23 pm

Beautiful! Inspiring!
Priya

Reply
Nick Wright
17/2/2016 12:29:03 pm

Thanks for such warm and encouraging feedback, Priya. All the best. Nick

Reply
Jasmin
17/2/2016 01:53:26 pm

17/2/2016 05:33:34
#MY CONVICTION IS THAT..ARTISTRY AND MASTERY IN THE FIELD OF LIFE DIFFER. ONES MASTER PIECE IS PLAYED PERFECTLY BY THE PIECE MAKER.#IF YOU CANT JIVE WITH THE MUSIC THEN CREATE YOUR OWN MELODY TO DANCE.#I BELIEVED EVERY TRAINOR AND COACHES STIPULATE LEVEL OF UNIQUENESS SO NO ONE IS AUTHORIZED TO QUESTION THE STRATEGY OF EXPERIENCED BECAUSE WE WALK ON THE BASIS OF LIFES DIAGRAM AND NOT THEORIES ALONE.#LIVE YOUR OWN STANDARD AND FOCUSED YOUR OWN BELT TO IMPOWER YOUR LONG WAY OF ENGAGEMENT IN YOUR CAREER!!!#SHARE IDEAS WITH RESPECT OF STYLE AND CREATIVITY!

Reply
Nick Wright
17/2/2016 02:16:32 pm

Hi Jasmin. Thanks for sharing your words of inspiration. I really like, 'If you can't jive with the music, then create your own melody to dance.' There's something there for me about a spirit of freedom, creativity and improvisation. With best wishes. Nick

Reply
Parry Aftab
17/2/2016 02:12:22 pm

I love your writing. It's a conversation that draws the readers in.

Reply
Nick Wright
17/2/2016 02:13:12 pm

Thank you for such warm words of encouragement, Parry. Much appreciated. With best wishes. Nick

Reply
Jackie LeFevre
17/2/2016 04:18:43 pm

Glorious intuitive stuff Nick and I'm with Hamish Taylor on the 'whoa where did that come from' side of creativity. So, just to be devil's advocate a little....is it possible that you now produce fantastic stuff following your flow either partly or even largely because you worked so hard at preparation in earlier days: almost as if you invested systematically in intellectual resources and muscle resulting in you now being able to enjoy it all coming together?? Now you know me I would never diminish the importance of noticing emotion and energy and going with the spirit, but I do think that people like you and Hamish have put in the graft in earlier days to be able to function like this - it doesn't just come out of the blue.

Reply
Nick Wright
17/2/2016 04:26:39 pm

Hi Jackie and thanks for your provocative question. Yes, I agree with what you are proposing. I guess that's how I understand intuition (inspired by Eugene Sadler-Smith's work in this area) - a kind of mysterious-feeling insight that emerges from years of subconsciously-processed learning and experience. That resonates well, I think, with the examples from Carl Jung and Bruce Lee that I mentioned in my response to Hamish. For me, there is a spiritual dynamic too. I can't find language to explain it well but I do sometimes have a sense of 'knowing' in the moment that feels beyond myself rather than from within myself, from the client or from the situation we are working in and with. I had a go at articulating this in a previous blog: http://www.nick-wright.com/blog/listening-for-a-voice. I'd be interested to hear if anything in it resonates for you too? All the best. Nick

Reply
Hamish Taylor
17/2/2016 04:41:05 pm

Jackie, interesting stuff and insightful question. For sure, I avidly read up about new clients and/or new situations and I am forever grateful for Enron and the Sarbanes-Oxley laws that mean companies have to publish more information than ever before. Equally I spend a lot of time (while travelling) reading about on new thinking around leadership and creativity and I collect "stuff" and I have a few "go to models" that I find have versatility and agility. However there is still a hefty chunk of creative opportunism. Elsewhere on here I recently posted an anecdote of learning from an old boss - WC COOL = We Can Create Our Own Luck and I think that there is a chunky element of truth in your 'harvesting the graft' observation.

Reply
Billy Quigg
17/2/2016 05:41:56 pm

Can't see you doing anything wrong Nick.......unless you start to strategize it.

Reply
Nick Wright
17/2/2016 05:46:14 pm

Thanks Billy. Your comment reminded me of one of Winston Churchill's advisers (I forget the name) during World War 2: 'Organisation is the enemy of improvisation'. All the best. Nick

Reply
Jeffery Marsh JP
17/2/2016 06:30:17 pm

A wonderful, thoughtful piece.

I feel the same way about writing. Poetry and flow; words with feeling, complementing one another. Resisting at all cost the destructive, ubiquitous, marketing "New Speak".

Reply
Nick Wright
17/2/2016 06:32:12 pm

Thanks for your heart warming feedback, Jeffery. Pleased it resonates with your experience of writing too. I'm not familiar with marketing 'New Speak'. I'm intrigued - what is it? All the best Nick

Reply
E.G.Sebastian (CPC, CSL)
18/2/2016 09:42:24 am

Great thought-flow, Nick - I mean, beautiful writing! Even when I'm in "the zone," I don't think I can express myself so beautifully :)

Reply
Nick Wright
18/2/2016 09:45:37 am

Thanks E.G. - that is encouraging feedback indeed from an author! :) All the best. Nick

Reply
Fenny Ang
18/2/2016 09:43:33 am

Beautifully expressed Nick...it is giving permission to ourselves to not know it all but to trust the creative and yes, messy process of thinking, feeling, sitting in the spaces of our vulnerabilities and write. Nice. Thank you!

Reply
Nick Wright
18/2/2016 09:52:21 am

Thanks Fenny. I think you expressed that beautifully too. I've discovered parallels in so many aspects of my life. I've shifted my stance in life, coaching and even cycling from thinking and planning (perhaps too much thinking and planning!) to taking the first step - sometimes literally...and reflecting from there. I saw a great quotation from Hugh Laurie on Twitter this week that captured this so well: 'It's a terrible thing, I think, in life to wait until you're ready. I have this feeling now that actually no-one is ever ready to do anything. There is almost no such thing as ready. There is only now. And you may as well do it now. Generally-speaking, now is as good a time as any.' I love that! All the best. Nick

Reply
Kathryn MacNeill CIPD
18/2/2016 09:53:39 am

Such an admirable perspective, definitely to be imitated if we are to be truly engaging as trainers and facilitators.

Reply
Nick Wright
18/2/2016 09:55:09 am

Hi Kathryn and thanks for your affirming feedback. Yes, I think its something about the transition from transactional to transformational, if that makes sense! All the best. Nick

Reply
Tania Potter
18/2/2016 10:11:09 am

Hi Nick. I have noticed what you described happening more and more in my coaching. Part of it is the confidence that has come from experience gained over the last few years, but basically it is from trusting myself more. I used to prepare so much as a way to almost manage the 'anxiety' from a lack of confidence. Even in public speaking, I prepare much less. I know what I want to say but 'm much more present, open and curious about the group or individual dynamic. For me personally, it has been a trust building exercise. The more I trust my inner balance, the less controlling I am and the more I allow things to unfold.

Reply
Nick Wright
18/2/2016 10:20:20 am

Hi Tania. Everything you wrote resonates very well with my experience too. We can expend quite a lot of time and energy managing our own anxiety and, paradoxically, this can become an interference in our relationships and practice. It takes trust to step out to stay open to what may emerge.

A big shift occurred for me when I did a postgrad diploma in coaching psychology. As part of the course, I worked with a leader using a Gestalt approach as a case study. I was amazed by the impact it had on me as well as on the coachee. I discovered that I wouldn't know - and didn't need to know in advance - what was needed next until I took a step...at which point the next step would become clear. I called the assignment 'Just do it'.

In Honey & Mumford terms, it shifted my practice from reflector to activist. Here's a link, in case of interest: http://www.nick-wright.com/just-do-it.html Would be interested to hear if it resonates with you too. All the best. Nick

Reply
Ian Henderson
18/2/2016 04:38:16 pm

For me it's linked to being true to who you are and all about you. We lost a client because we wouldn't agree to work to their constraints that would have meant being in a certain place in the training at 10.12 and 1.43 etc. They said we were too 'free spirit' for them. Their delegates said we were different and they liked the flexibility!

Reply
Nick Wright
18/2/2016 04:41:49 pm

Hi Ian and thanks for the note. So interesting. It makes me wonder: (a) what culturally was driving their need for that degree of detail and prescriptiveness and (b) whose need was that level of control serving, especially since the delegates said they liked it. I'm curious. When you say, 'We lost a client...', who made the break? Sounds wise that you stuck to who you are to be true to yourself. All the best. Nick

Reply
Lani Refiti
19/2/2016 10:34:49 am

Very eloquently put Nick. I liken it to sitting with a client suspending my agenda and being open to what emerges in the contact. It is often mysterious but exciting. As Lao Tzu puts it in the first verse of the Tao Te Ching

"..Ever desireless, one can see the mystery. Ever desiring, one sees only the manifestations. The mystery itself is the doorway to all understanding".

Reply
Nick Wright
19/2/2016 10:38:00 am

Thanks Lani. I really like your way of expressing that: '...being open to what emerges in the contact...is often mysterious but exciting.' It reminds me of a Gestalt approach. The quotation from Tao Te Ching sounds mysterious and profound too. Thank you for sharing. All the best. Nick

Reply
Gill Parkin
19/2/2016 11:52:04 am

Yes, I can get overly focused on being prepared rather than "preparing myself" - thanks for posting that!

Reply
Nick Wright
19/2/2016 11:53:51 am

Thanks for your honest response, Gill. I always have to remind myself to do it! All the best. Nick

Reply
Chatique Dhanormchitphong
19/2/2016 08:09:38 pm

Beautifully written! It can be difficult to be open in a world that likes certainty. I'm reading the book 'The Intuitive Edge' to become more of a vessel...your words really resonate. Reminds me of the deadline conundrum - some how inspiration tends to come right on time...How have you decided to respond to the guidelines?

Reply
Nick Wright
19/2/2016 08:10:15 pm

Hi Chatique and thanks for your kind and affirming feedback. Yes, being open and responsive to the moment can feel counterintuitive in cultures where planning, design and a quest for certainty are valued as the norm. Thank you for mentioning The Intuitive Edge. I haven't seen that book before but just had a glance online and it looks interesting.

I can relate with what you describe as the deadline conundrum. I often don't know what I'm doing to say or do until the 11th hour, 59th minute and 59th second - no matter how hard I may try to force inspiration beforehand. This creates and reflects something of a spiritual quality for me: learning to trust. Question - which guidelines are you referring to? All the best. Nick

Reply
Isabel Finch
20/2/2016 08:01:13 pm

Interesting stuff :) Internal preparation primary to external preparation. I Wonder if being an 'good' leader or facilitator of spaces is about helping others internally prepare - which in a way is a kind of self-trust/faith exercise. Writing as solidifying thinking perhaps...

Reply
Nick Wright
20/2/2016 08:03:44 pm

Hi Isabel. I think that's an interesting point about helping others internally prepare. Perhaps what we do is model, invite and facilitate something that supports others' preparations: to think what they need to think, be who they need to be and do what they need to do? All the best. Nick

Reply
Sonia Uttamchandani
22/2/2016 03:43:43 pm

Agree!

Reply
Nick Wright
22/2/2016 03:44:25 pm

Thanks Sonia! All the best. Nick

Reply
Philip Badley
24/2/2016 09:43:54 am

Hi Nick, this resonates with me too. I write occasional articles for a journal and find myself waiting for the moment that instinctively feels right to put fingers to keyboard and then I am in flow. I am also reminded of the term unconditional positive regard from my psychologically based coach training that I remind myself of at time when I might be hearing 'self talk ' when interacting with others in daily life. Thanks for giving me the opportunity to reflect.

Reply
Nick Wright
24/2/2016 09:49:26 am

Hi Philip and thanks for the note. I can very much relate to that sense of waiting for the moment that instinctively feels right. In other situations where timescales may be tight, I will have a vague idea in mind and start to write from where I am in that moment...trusting that what I need to say will emerge as I write.

I'm intrigued by your comment about unconditional positive regard and self-talk. I understand the principles from, say, Rogerian person-centred practice and I'm curious to understand more about how you apply them to your practice in the way your described here. Thanks and best wishes. Nick

Reply
Funmi Johnson
29/2/2016 05:46:41 pm

I like the idea of allowing things to unfold. I must confess that i do follow an outline when i am writing. However, i do 'carry' my thoughts around in my head for some time before i put anything on paper.

Reply
Nick Wright
29/2/2016 05:51:15 pm

Hi Funmi and thanks for the note. One of my colleagues once remarked that, in general, people with an introverted preference often write as a process of discovery whereas people with an extroverted preference often write to record what has already been discovered. In other words, introverts are more likely to think on paper; extroverts are more likely to think out loud in conversation and write it down afterwards. What do you think? All the best. Nick

Reply
Funmi Johnson
6/3/2016 07:40:22 pm

I'd say introverted definitely.

Alison Donaldson link
2/3/2016 09:47:34 am

Hi Nick, It felt good to read your blog about writing this morning, as I have increasingly adopted "writing as exploration" myself. I find "free writing" really useful, but also noticing what thoughts float into my mind in the intervals between bouts of writing (I don't mean to make writing sound like a disease!). Yet that's not what I was trained to do in my early career. I spent three years as a communications specialist with McKinsey & Company in the 1980s and I fully bought in to the notion that logical structure is everything. I still find structure important, especially when putting forward a case for something. But it's so much more fun to use writing to discover, and the result is probably more interesting to read. Are you familiar with Verlyn Klinkenborg's "Several short sentences about writing"?

Reply
Nick Wright
6/3/2016 07:47:17 pm

Hi Alison and thanks for sharing such honest reflections. I too was 'trained' through formal studies to prepare essay plans, research plans etc. and to present writing in a methodical, systematic way. That is still a useful discipline for some aspects of my work etc. It sounds similar to your experience too. I have to say that, even in those situations, I often write first and try to impose some sort of notional structure on what I've written afterwards to ensure it makes some sense (I hope!) to the reader. I'm much more aware these days of working as discovery and more trusting that, as I begin to write, something will emerge. I haven't heard or read Klinkenborg's piece that you mention but I'll Google it now! All the best. Nick

Reply
Si Fletcher
7/3/2016 10:10:29 pm

Hi, I've recently started to keep a reflective log of my coaching and mentoring activities - I've never really liked writing (much prefer to read - all the hard work has already been done) and I've realized over the last few days, that this is something I should have done years ago. I also was an over prepare'r :) but have come to find, through my journal and through the self focus it almost forces on you, a flow in my coaching sessions that have allowed them to become far more effective (well that's what my coachees say:).

Reply
Nick Wright
7/3/2016 10:14:28 pm

Hi Si. Sounds like a great example of the benefits of reflective journaling, enabling you to find a new sense of flow in your practice. Good that your coachees are noticing the difference too! All the best. Nick

Reply
Paula Baptista
9/3/2016 09:17:06 am

I found that it takes a long time to find it within and takes courage, patience, determination and true passion to keep the focus in the centre. When we allow it to ourselves its truly excellent!

Reply
Nick Wright
9/3/2016 09:18:46 am

Hi Paula and thanks for the note. Sounds like you have experienced that sense of flow too? All the best. Nick

Reply
Karin Andela
12/3/2016 11:50:26 am

Being instead of doing; a challenge indeed.

Reply
Nick Wright
12/3/2016 11:52:21 am

Hi Karin and thanks for the note. I think, for me, it's something about being and doing - a synergy and harmony - that feels different somehow to one or the other. What do you think? All the best. Nick

Reply
العاب تلبيس بنات link
25/10/2016 09:04:42 pm

شكرا لكم اصدقائي على الموضوع الاكثر من رائع جيد جدا واصلوا

Reply



Leave a Reply.

    ​Nick Wright

    ​I'm a psychological coach, trainer and OD consultant. Curious to discover how can I help you? ​Get in touch!

    Picture
    Like what you read? Simply enter your email address below to receive regular blog updates!
    Subscribe to Blog
    Picture
    Picture


    ​Archives

    February 2023
    January 2023
    December 2022
    November 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013
    December 2012
    November 2012
    October 2012
    July 2012
    June 2012
    May 2012
    April 2012
    March 2012
    February 2012
    January 2012
    December 2011
    November 2011
    October 2011
    September 2011
    August 2011
    July 2011
    June 2011
    May 2011
    April 2011
    March 2011
    February 2011

    Categories

    All
    Abc
    Ability
    Accountability
    Achievement
    Act
    Action
    Action Learning
    Activism
    Adaptability
    Adaptive
    Advent
    Adventure
    Africa
    Agency
    Agile
    Ambiguity
    Angle
    Anticipation
    Anxiety
    Appraisal
    Appreciation
    Appreciative
    Appreciative Inquiry
    Approach
    Argyris
    Asia
    Assumption
    Assumptions
    Asylum
    Attachment
    Attention
    Attitude
    Audience
    Authenticity
    Authority
    Autonomy
    Avoidance
    Awareness
    Behaviour
    Being
    Belief
    Beliefs
    Bias
    Bible
    Body Language
    Boundaries
    Brainstorming
    Brand
    Calling
    Care
    Career
    Censorship
    Challenge
    Change
    Character
    Charity
    Child
    Choice
    Choose
    Christ
    Christian
    Christmas
    Clarity
    Client
    Climate
    Coach
    Coaching
    Coactive
    Cognition
    Cognitive
    Cognitive Behavioural
    Commitment
    Communication
    Community
    Compassion
    Competence
    Competencies
    Complexity
    Concepts
    Conflict
    Confluence
    Congruence
    Consciousness
    Construct
    Constructs
    Construe
    Consultancy
    Contact
    Content
    Context
    Contracting
    Contribution
    Control
    Conversation
    Corruption
    Counselling
    Counterintiution
    Counterintuition
    Countertransference
    Courage
    Craziness
    Creativity
    Credibility
    Crisis
    Critical Consciousness
    Critical Reflection
    Critical Reflective Practice
    Critical Reflexivity
    Critical Thinking
    Critique
    Cross
    Cross Culture
    Cross-culture
    Culture
    Curiosity
    Customer Care
    Customers
    Customer Service
    Death
    Deception
    Decision
    Deconstruction
    Defence
    Defences
    Deferred Gratification
    Definition
    Delusion
    Democracy
    Depression
    Determination
    Development
    Deviance
    Deviant
    Diagnosis
    Disaster
    Discernment
    Disclosure
    Discovery
    Discrimination
    Disruptive
    Dissent
    Dissident
    Dissonance
    Distinctiveness
    Distortion
    Diversity
    Dream
    Dynamic
    Dynamics
    Easter
    Ecology
    Edge
    Edi
    Education
    Effectiveness
    Efficiency
    Ego State
    Eliciting
    Emergence
    Emotion
    Emotional
    Emotional Intelligence
    Empathy
    Empowerment
    Encouragement
    Energy
    Engagement
    Environment
    Equality
    Eternity
    Ethics
    Ethiopia
    Evaluation
    Evidence
    Evocative
    Existential
    Existentialism
    Expectation
    Expectations
    Experience
    Experiment
    Experimentation
    Exploration
    Explore
    Exposure
    Facilitation
    Faith
    Fear
    Feedback
    Feeling
    Feminism
    Figure
    Filter
    Fit
    Flashback
    Focus
    Forgiveness
    Framework
    Freedom
    Freud
    Fun
    Future
    Gender
    Geopolitical
    Geopolitics
    Gestalt
    Global
    Goal
    Goals
    God
    Gospel
    Grace
    Grief
    Grit
    Ground
    Group
    Guidance
    Healing
    Health
    Hear
    Heidegger
    Hero
    Hope
    Human
    Human Givens
    Humanity
    Human Resources
    Human Rights
    Humility
    Humour
    Hybrid
    Hypotheses
    Hypothesis
    Icon
    Ideation
    Identity
    Image
    Imagination
    Impact
    Impostor
    Inclusion
    Independence
    Influence
    INGO
    Initiative
    Injustice
    Innovation
    Inquiry
    Insecurity
    Insight
    Inspiration
    Instinct
    Integrity
    Intention
    Interdependence
    Interference
    International
    Interpretation
    Intimacy
    Introversion
    Intuition
    Invisible
    Jargon
    Jesus
    Journey
    Jungle
    Justice
    Keys
    Knowing
    Knowledge
    Labels
    Language
    Lateral Thinking
    Leader
    Leadership
    Learner
    Learning
    Lesson
    Liberal
    Life
    Light
    Listening
    Logic
    Loss
    Love
    Management
    Manager
    Marathon
    Matrix
    Mbti
    Meaning
    Media
    Mediation
    Meetings
    Memory
    Mentoring
    Merit
    Metaphor
    Metaphysic
    Mindfulness
    Miracle
    Mirroring
    Misfit
    Mission
    Mode
    Morality
    Motivation
    Mystery
    Narrative
    Nazis
    Need
    Negotiation
    Neo-Nazi
    Networking
    News
    New Year
    Norm
    Norms
    Noticing
    Online
    Operations
    Opportunity
    Oppression
    Organisation
    Organisation Develoment
    Organisation Development
    Origin
    Pace
    Panic
    Paradigm
    Paradox
    Partnership
    Passion
    Pastoral
    Pattern Matching
    Peace
    People
    Perception
    Perfectionism
    Performance
    Perseverance
    Personal Constructs
    Personal Leadership
    Person Centred
    Perspective
    Phenomenology
    Phenomenon
    Philippines
    Philosophy
    Physicality
    Plan
    Plans
    Plato
    Play
    Plot
    Polarity
    Policy
    Politics
    Poor
    Positive
    Positive Psychology
    Posture
    Potential
    Potential#
    Poverty
    Power
    Practice
    Pragmatism
    Praxis
    Prayer
    Preference
    Preferences
    Prepare
    Presence
    Principles
    Priorities
    Priority
    Privilege
    Proactivity
    Problem Solving
    Process
    Professional
    Progressive
    Projection
    Projects
    Prompt
    Propaganda
    Protection
    Protest
    Providence
    Provocative
    Psychoanalysis
    Psychodynamic
    Psychodynamics
    Psychology
    Psychometrics
    Psychotherapy
    Purpose
    Quality
    Questions
    Race
    Radical
    Rational
    Rationale
    Rationalisation
    Rationality
    Reality
    Reason
    Reasoning
    Reconciliation
    Recruitment
    Reflect
    Reflection
    Reflective Practice
    Reflexivity
    Reframing
    Refugee
    Refugees
    Relationship
    Relationships
    Release
    Religion
    Representation
    Rescue
    Research
    Resilience
    Resonance
    Resourcefulness
    Responsibility
    Responsive
    Responsiveness
    Revelation
    Reward
    Rights
    Risk
    Role
    Role Model
    Rosabeth Moss-kanter
    Rules
    Sabbath
    Satire
    Satnav
    Saviour
    Schemata
    School
    Science
    Secure Base
    Security
    See
    Selection
    Selective Attention
    Self
    Sense Making
    Senses
    Sensitivity
    Serendipity
    Servant
    Shadow
    Significance
    Silence
    Sin
    Skills
    Social Construct
    Social Construction
    Social Constructionism
    Social Media
    Social Psychology
    Socrates
    Solution Focused
    Solutions
    Solutions Focus
    Solutions-focus
    Space
    Speed
    Spirit
    Spirituality
    Stance
    Stealth
    Stereotype
    Stereotypes
    Story
    Strategic
    Strategy
    Strengths
    Stress
    Stretch
    Structure
    Struggle
    Stuck
    Style
    Subconscious
    Subjectivity
    Success
    Suffering
    Supervision
    Support
    Survival
    Sustainability
    Symbol
    Symbolism
    Systems
    Systems Thinking
    TA
    Tactical
    Tactics
    Talent
    Teacher
    Teaching
    Team
    Teamwork
    Teenage
    Theology
    Theory
    Therapy
    Thinking
    Thought
    Time
    Touch
    Toys
    Traction
    Trade
    Tradition
    Training
    Transactional Analysis
    Transference
    Transformation
    Transition
    Transitional Object
    Trauma
    Trust
    Truth
    Uncertainty
    Unexpected
    Vallues
    Value
    Values
    Violence
    Visibility
    Vision
    Voice
    VUCA
    Vulnerability
    Vulnerable
    Waiting
    War
    Wealth
    Weird
    Wellbeing
    Will
    Willingness
    Window
    Wisdom
    Wonder
    Words
    World
    Worth
    Youth
    Zoom

    RSS Feed

Proudly powered by Weebly
  • Home
  • About
  • Services
  • Testimonials
  • Articles
    • Organisations and leadership
    • Learning and development
    • Coaching and counselling
  • Blog
  • e-Resources
  • News
  • Contact