The Flows of Coaching - International Coaching Federation
ICF Annual Sale: Save on coaching resources today! Sale ends January 15!

The Flows of Coaching

Posted by Crystelle Knoesen | October 15, 2018 | Comments (2)

For a lot of coaches, the best feeling is when their client has their aha moment, breakthrough or an epiphany that turns the tide in their life. It is easy to become addicted to it, and when that epiphany isn’t there, a coach’s self-doubt may creep in.

Being aware of the flows of coaching is a skill that will ensure effectiveness and longevity in your coaching career.

Session Flows

Many times, a client comes to a session with a heavy energy. Their mind is brimming with tangled thoughts or a situation they are occupied with. Going deeper through coaching, the disentanglement happens and towards the end of the session, a sense of peace or resolution arises. The session ends with that calm state—a feeling that something has been sorted out, a sense of joy or a sense of immediacy to get to action.

Other times, a session can feel much less legato (smooth and flowing) and more staccato (stunted). Clients with more self-sabotage or stumbling blocks can create a staccato session. I’ve found that clients with an “I don’t know” disposition or front, tend to create this kind of atmosphere. Often acknowledging the sabotage, stumbling block or “I don’t know” response opens another route for the session to flow.

In a coaching assignment, one or more sessions may occur where there isn’t a perceivable breakthrough. Don’t be discouraged. A lot of the times the breakthrough happens after a session, during journaling or even after the assignment is finished. A good session or assignment isn’t necessarily directly linked to the epiphanies experienced by the client. Oftentimes we don’t know or are not told when those occur.

Client Flows

I have noticed many clients start off a coaching assignment with an optimism, a high level of energy and a willingness to do the hard work. Perhaps they feel a renewed sense of hope and joy, trying coaching to help them with their challenges. As the sessions continue, there is often a drop in energy and positivity in the middle sessions, but it picks up again.

Coach Flows

As the coach, we go through our own biorhythms. Some days we are able to be truly in the present moment and guide our clients powerfully. Other times, it takes more effort on our side, since we are human and have our own processes going on. It is key to notice this. Take enough time off to rest, get your own coach to help you and participate in coaching supervision to make sure you are not working against your client’s process.

These flows happen—just as there is a flow to everything in life. As trained observers and coaches, we need to perceive these flows while being careful to not mirror these flows in the session or in our clients.

crystelle knoesen headshot

Crystelle Knoesen

Crystelle Knoesen, MBA is a certified life coach who helps women stuck in an unfulfilling life. Through her personalized coaching program, she empowers women to find their purpose, live it out and take their lives to the next level, so that they can become the changemakers their world needs. She strongly believes that when we live fulfilled and on-purpose lives, we can impact and influence our worlds significantly. To find out more about living a fulfilling life and figuring out your purpose, visit crystelleknoesen.com or follow Crystelle on social media.

The views and opinions expressed in guest posts featured on this blog are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions and views of the International Coach Federation (ICF). The publication of a guest post on the ICF Blog does not equate to an ICF endorsement or guarantee of the products or services provided by the author.

Additionally, for the purpose of full disclosure and as a disclaimer of liability, this content was possibly generated using the assistance of an AI program. Its contents, either in whole or in part, have been reviewed and revised by a human. Nevertheless, the reader/user is responsible for verifying the information presented and should not rely upon this article or post as providing any specific professional advice or counsel. Its contents are provided “as is,” and ICF makes no representations or warranties as to its accuracy or completeness and to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law specifically disclaims any and all liability for any damages or injuries resulting from use of or reliance thereupon.

Comments (2)

  1. Un articulo que nos humaniza aun mas como coach ante el espejo. Gracias por tu aporte!
    Susana

  2. Deborah says:

    Thank you for explaining this. It resignates with me and made me feel better.

Leave a Reply

Not a member?

Sign up now to become a member and receive all of our wonderful benefits.

Learn more