Going with the FLOW


In my mind, I picture a river… flowing… different sections of the river have different characteristics which shape the flow of the river. Some parts are narrow, some parts are wide, some parts are turbulent, some parts are calm, some parts are winding and some parts are straighter. Every part is different, yet the sum of it gives the river its unique character.

Life is kind of the same. We each go through life differently and for us to effectively know another, and for us to “flow” with them, we need to take the time to “discover” their unique characteristics. 

To be in “flow” (according to Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi) means to be in the zone, to be so engrossed in an activity that everything around them doesn’t seem to matter. And to me, to “flow” in coaching means to be IN flow with the coachee, not to be part of their flow but to join them in flowing so we can better appreciate their essence and empathise with them.

It is a process that shouldn’t be rushed but at the same time, as coaches, we have to be cautious not to be lost in the “flow”. And hopefully, this journey will lead us to exciting discoveries and new adventures.

The process takes us through a journey of discovery, understanding the fundamental essence of the coachee, their core make-up, what they are trying to achieve, how they plan to do it and to celebrate with them when they emerge on the other end. The idea is to ride alongside them on this journey and be a companion or even a cheerleader, but not the captain.


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