Gestalt Coaching: Discussing differences from other forms of coaching and

their philosophy

Naoum LiotasOrg. Consultant, Trainer and Business

Coach

As I was preparing for my ACC credential for the ICF (International Coach Federation) – still have not acquired that – I was required to receive 10 hours of mentor coaching

Rationale – Why?

Noticing differences◦ E.g. Coaching known as “Finding the perfect

question”◦ Wanting results and solutions – e.g. Solution-

focused Thinking about clients approaching me:

◦ Result-oriented, wanting ROI and insurance◦ “I want to achieve this. Can YOU make me

achieve this? Is this 100% sure?”

Rationale – Why?

Reading “The Complete Handbook of Coaching” edited by Cox, E.; Bachkirova, T. and Clutterbuck, D. (2010).◦ Theoretical Approaches (including Gestalt)◦ Genres and contexts◦ Professional Practice issues

Extra Bonus

ICF defines coaching as partnering with clients in a thought-provoking and creative process that inspires them to maximize their personal and professional potential... Coaches honor the client as the expert in his or her life and work and believe every client is creative, resourceful and whole. Standing on this foundation, the coach's responsibility is to:

Discover, clarify, and align with what the client wants to achieve

Encourage client self-discovery Elicit client-generated solutions and strategies Hold the client responsible and accountable

This process helps clients dramatically improve their outlook on work and life, while improving their leadership skills and unlocking their potential.

Coaching Definition (ICF)

I find the definition too general and unconvincing. How did I persuade new costumers to join in? (learning from my own experience…)

Search for my brand identity My method seemed to work extremely well with

people who were searching for a job. Examples:

◦ 2-year long unemployment – 8 sessions before getting a high-level job

◦ Not passing the third interview, lack of self-confidence – 9 sessions before landing a job in KPMG in Edinburgh

◦ Not promoting herself “correctly” (and impatience as something that emerged in the sessions) – 6 sessions before landing a job

Coaching – Is this enough?

1. The psychodynamic approach to coaching2. Cognitive-Behavioural coaching3. Solution-focused coaching4. The person-centred approach to coaching5. The Gestalt approach to coaching6. Existential coaching7. Ontological coaching8. Narrative coaching9. The cognitive-developmental approach10. The transpersonal approach to coaching11. The positive psychology approach to coaching12. Transactional analysis and coaching13. NLP approach to coaching

Approaches to Coaching

Skills & Performance

Developmental Coaching

Transformational Coaching

Executive & Leadership

The Manager as coach

Team Coaching

Peer Coaching

Life Coaching

Career Coaching

Cross-cultural coachiing

Mentoring

The Gestalt Approach to

Coaching* * * * ** * *

Matrix in “The Complete Handbook of Coaching”

No Stars in Leadership and Executive Coaching?

Coach is the expert of the coaching process (not of any task the coachee is involved in)

Coaching is driven by the coachee’s agenda Coaches are interested in the self-

actualization of their client (their becoming and not so much on their ‘doing’ – their performance)

Capability development and insights for more substantive change

Meeting standards set by the coachee

Similarities in all forms of coaching

ICF Core Competencies1. Ethics and Standards (discussion not about the

past – therapeutic mode, discussion not about what to do – consulting mode)

2. Establishing the coaching agreement 3. Establishing trust and intimacy with the client 4. Coaching Presence 5. Active Listening 6. Powerful Questioning

But why the frustration?

ICF Core Competencies7. Direct Communication 8. Creating Awareness 9. Designing Actions10. Planning and Goal Setting

Really important skill Seeing the figures that emerge and paying

attention to the background as well My question though is the following:“Is too much questioning damaging contact?”Questions seen as deflection…

Powerful Questioning

In the discussion, Eugenio pointed out that if there is too much reliance on powerful questioning, we might miss the power of statements which is also important.

Powerful Statements

Is too much questioning damaging contact?

Questioning and indeed powerful questioning is really important – how important and where is the line?

Difference #1

An assumption exclusive (or at least so visible or figural) in Gestalt is the importance of how we are making contact… Unfinished business blocks the ability to make good contact.

This definitely affects the way we are setting implicit goals (in addition to explicit ones) and how we go about interested in our client’s ‘becoming’.

Difference #2

The paradox of change and setting goals

Setting goals

If you don’t know where you want to go then it doesn’t matter which path you take…

Alice in Wonderland

You change by becoming who you are…

And yet I need to explain this to customers who are businessman and believe that they change by trying to create something and taking action.

Is there a way to bring this closer to the business language? How?

On Change

Setting Goals AND using the paradox of change

Keeping the balance

The paradox of change You change by becoming who you are Focusing on the present situation Focusing on the here-and-now

Not focused on the future like many tools and methodologies (solution-focused coaching, feedforward etc.)

Difference #3

This is not something inherent in the Gestalt approach unless the request comes directly from the client – need fulfillment

How does the coach uses the “cycle of experience”?

Designing actions, planning and goal setting

The Cycle of Experience Is the coach helping the client in completing

the cycle of experience? Going through the stages of the cycle of experience with the client?

Difference #4

Use of self as an instrument

The coach brings himself and his experience into the here-and-now.

Difference #5

e.g. Manager as coach◦ Gestalt needs a lot of time to internalize the

conceptual and methodological framework Better for longer work frames with the client

in order to understand patterns.

Why Gestalt Coaching is better for some contexts

If you are having a successful result – does it matter HOW you do it?

In the discussion, Z. pointed out that perhaps we are putting too much emphasis on the Gestalt label… Which is true!

Use Gestalt as a brand or not?