Comment favoriser l’ouverture d’esprit et la curiosité dans les séances de coaching ?

Aufgeschlossenheit und Neugierde entstehen in der Coaching Session dann, wenn ich selbst als Beraterin offen, neugierig und vorurteilsfrei bin und bleibe. Echtes Interesse an der Situation und Motivation des Gegenübers, Verständnis auch für schwierige Situationen - und Lust auf das gemeinsame Arbeiten an neuen Perspektiven und Möglichkeiten schaffen nach meiner Erfahrung eine Atmosphäre, in der Menschen sich gerne öffnen und mitarbeiten. Persönliche und berufliche Weiterentwicklung kann und darf Spass machen und leicht sein.

Often I have found that a person can become stuck because the feel like they have to come up with the ‘right answer.’ Using techniques to move them off being right can help. Ask questions like: - what if you didn’t have to be right? - what if you were looking for a next step instead of the right step? - what if you were looking for possibilities without assigning deciding which option is the right one yet?

Our edge as coaches stems from the caliber of our questions. Here are the questions that have served my 20+ year career as a coach: Where have you been? What have you learned? Where are you going? What is required? These questions, vital for both individuals and organizations, provide a flexible, relevant framework that drives deep insights and fosters growth. They encourage reflection on past experiences, learning outcomes, future aspirations, and necessary actions. This approach not only enhances self-awareness but also propels both personal and organizational development forward. #a3r

The coach needs to be open-minded and to create a safe space for the entrepreneur to be able to openly share and be curious to explore. Some techniques that support this is phototherapy with Points of You Cards, as they reach the subconsciousness so the client is more open and curious naturally, then also some meditation techniques, and questions like "If all obstacles were not there what would you have done?" Or if everything was possible and you had nothing to worry about what would you do?, Imagine ... and so on... so these 2 elements are the key, to making sure the client feels safe, and also take out all conscious barriers.

Ask smart questions and don't be the smartest person in the room! Start with the bigger picture to anchor the conversation - what are you trying to achieve and don't get pulled into the trap of offering suggestions.

You actually need to help your client gain clarity on what they're going through because their solution lies exactly there. Finding clarity in their own situation will motivate them to practice a curiosity-driven mindset in everything they do because that's what will give them clarity in their tasks as well.

5 Why is by far the best questioning approach but it triggers a lot of people. Not having answers or not being able to articulate it messes with people's minds and self-esteem. They often get defensive. Phrase your 5 why questions empathetically.

The 5 Whys not only solve problems but cultivate a powerful mindset in the business realm. By questioning "Why?" repeatedly, leaders nurture authenticity, stimulate innovation, promote adaptability, and empower informed decision-making. More than a problem-solving tool, this technique extends beyond immediate solutions; it nurtures a mindset that strengthens decision-making, drives innovation, and ultimately enhances business results. Implementing this methodology not only resolves issues but also shapes robust leadership, comprehensively improving business outcomes.

Accepter un coaching révèle d’emblée une certaine ouverture d’esprit et de curiosité de la personne qui s’y engage ! Même enfouie, cette prédisposition autorise le coach à faire l’hypothèse que le voyage a déjà commencé. Comme un voyage, le coaching aide à cheminer, à s’ouvrir à d’autres possibles, à contempler la situation sous un nouvel angle, à retrouver de l’énergie et à prendre de la hauteur, parfois de nouvelles décisions. Le simple fait d’être présent à l’heure du départ est une première victoire, une première manifestation de la curiosité. Ce voyage favorise le changement vers une destination inconnue, donc forcément une belle ouverture d’esprit ! L’ouverture à l’expérience d’une nouvelle vision du monde.

As some of the coaches before me mentioned, tread carefully when it comes to using the Whys. The space created in the coaching session is safe so the thinker/coachee/client may be and feel vulnerable. When vulnerable, there's a higher chance they may feel triggered by the Whys and see them as judgement coming from the coach; especially when there are 5 Whys in a row. Why are you unhappy with your career? may be replaced with What could be causing the unhappiness? or What's behind the unhappiness? and repeat 5 times.

Si no puedes puedes tomar un proceso de coaching y te sientes atrapado por pensamientos negativos, "The Work" de Byron Katie puede servirte como un gran ejercicio. Esta metodología sencilla te invita a cuestionar las creencias que te causan dolor a través de cuatro preguntas transformadoras y un proceso de reflexión denominado "turnaround". Puedes acceder a esta herramienta gratuitamente en la web de Katie, disponible en español e inglés. Puede abrirte puertas a una nueva forma de ver tus problemas, ofreciéndote claridad y tranquilidad. Pruébalo!

Explain to them how the mind works. Being a coach you are trained on terms like cognitive distortions and distorted reality and you understand it. It is your duty as a coach to help them understand how the mind works, nudge them to witness of the situation at hand from a second and at times also from the third person's view. I usually create a "Future Me" avatar with my clients. The one who is already living the life he/she aims to live once this problem for which they have hired me is solved for good. I encourage them to look at things from the "Future Me's" POV. It works.

In the dynamic business environment, to bolster an excellent attitude, it is crucial to address cognitive distortions – those irrational thoughts that impact logical reasoning. Challenging these distortions not only drives mental openness but also contributes to positive business outcomes. Focusing on a positive attitude not only enhances the quality of thoughts but also directly influences emotions and, consequently, actions. The equation is clear: a good attitude leads to good results, while a negative attitude can hinder performance. By confronting cognitive distortions, not only is openness and curiosity strengthened, but the groundwork is also laid for a more successful and rewarding business path.

Pour pousser plus avant les distorsions cognitives (à la condition  sinequanone que le rapport collaboratif soit déjà très bien établi entre le coach et le coaché) le coaching provocateur, utilisé avec bcp de finesse et d'humour peut avoir beaucoup d'effets positifs sur le processus. Pousser et grossir volontairement les traits et les croyances de son client permet un effet "miroir grossissant" dans lequel le coaché se rend compte par lui même de sa propre exagération de certaines situations. 

Don't believe everything you think. I had this message typed on the bottom of my screen to remind me that my thoughts are just that: thoughts.

Embrace the power of "yet" w Carol Dweck's growth mindset, where every "can't" becomes a "can't, yet!" Imagine adding a simple "yet" to your self-talk: "I'm not brave, yet," or "I don't understand finance, yet.” This tiny word transforms your mindset encourages learning & growth through effort & persistence. A growth mindset reminds us that with time & tenacity, skills & intelligence expand. As coach, my clients start with those initial, small steps towards growth, because they're just not there "yet." And for self-coaching? Tell yourself, "I haven't mastered this, yet," & boldly step forward into your discomfort zone where the adventure of learning begins. So, let's stretch, try, and celebrate the "not yet" as a promise of what's to come.

Feedback is the breakfast of champions," Ken Blanchard's words echo the value of embracing feedback in a coaching context. Adopting a growth mindset enables individuals to see feedback not as criticism but as a vital tool for improvement. This approach fosters a culture where feedback is not only accepted but actively sought, with the understanding that abilities and skills are malleable and can be developed with effort and practice. Such an environment encourages open, honest exchanges, driving personal and professional growth.

By fostering a continuous and valuable learning environment, businesses not only nurture open-mindedness and curiosity but also elevate their business outcomes to higher levels of sustainable success. I would like to share some recommendations: Cultivate a Trustworthy Environment: This allows leaders and teams to openly and honestly share experiences, knowledge, and challenges, facilitating constructive feedback. Promote a Growth Mindset: This drives the willingness to learn and continuously improve. Integrate Technology and Innovative Platforms: This facilitates the collection and analysis of data for more precise feedback.

Neuroscience demonstrates that learning happens all of the time - our synapses are linking and delinking constantly. Whether we take new ways (feelings, thoughts, actions) on board is up to our application and reinforcing practices. Coaching guides us to see our blind spots. To notice where learning opportunities are being ignored, not recognised or bypassed. To decide what feedback serves us. To choose which new pathways we want to enhance now and where it is the right time to let a pathway subside. My experience has shown repeatedly that where a client finds feedback helpful and chooses to apply in one sphere of life, they also choose to apply in other spheres. Thus creating new ways of knowing, being and doing.

Je favorise la mise en mouvement du corps en utilisant une planche d'équilibre : le fait de se concentrer sur son corps libère l'esprit et favorise l'émergence d'idées.

I invite the client or groups to tell me the height of a wall in the room and tell them there is only ONE correct answer and they know it already. Usually they guess a measurement in cm or ft. Incorrect! Then I reveal that the correct answer is 'I DON'T KNOW', and that it will be correct in any circumstance whatsoever. I then invite them to actually experience the psychological state of curiosity (defined as 'I don't know, but I want to find out'): close our eyes, observe your breathing, witness how thoughts come and let them pass till a little space appears between thoughts. This is thoughtless awareness, a space of mental silence that is the source of all creativity and peace. We start from there.

Simple. You as the coach need to lead with open-mindedness and curiosity. When you create the space for being curious and establish that safety, it allows your clients to be creative and curious as well.

In today's business world, leading with an open and curious mindset is not just a philosophy but a key strategy. Entrepreneurs can inspire their teams by demonstrating authenticity, a willingness to learn, and celebrating the process of collective discovery. Avoiding judgment, asking powerful questions, and fostering experimentation create a culture that values diverse thinking. Leading by example in coaching not only transforms sessions but also drives innovation and sustainable success within the company.

I think before we start the coaching sessions, it's important that both the coach and the coachees need to get grounded and be fully present during the sessions. When people are fully grounded, they're in a better position to embrace "change" and being "open-minded." Hence I will invite the coachees to do some exercises to get ourselves grounded and it's proven to be effective!

I would add, what worked for me is changing perspectives. Exploring with the client different angles for the same topic. Creating a safe space to explore new perspectives help the client be creative and open-minded since everything is possible in this space; and definitely curious around what might be the outcome.

Guide the client by asking the right questions to get more clarity on their thoguhts, emotions & actions. They need to discover for themselves what and why they think, feel and act the way they do.

El coaching es un proceso estructurado y centrado en los resultados, en el cual un coach trabaja con un individuo o equipo para clarificar cuestiones, desafiar creencias, modificar respuestas desfasadas, generar soluciones y emprender acciones para potenciar el rendimiento. Pero también debe ser un concienzudo trabajo de contextualización e interconexión de varios mundos: lo laboral, organización y negocio, el mundo personal, familiar y social. Y no olvidar que el coaching es cambio y el cambio básicamente es un proceso psicológico en el que intervienen emociones, pensamientos, motivaciones y acciones. En ese proceso de transformación se busca que el ejecutivo adquiera competencias y efectividad y en todos y cada uno de los dominios.

"Be open-minded! Be curious!" It's the encouragements like these that may stop a client in their tracks. Personally, I wouldn't put it as a goal to encourage a client to be neither open-minded nor curious because if they are not, it's a meaningful occurrence. It means something. I would explore it in great detail. And when the flow of energy is restored the curiosity will kick in naturally, provided we intervene on something a client deems vital for their development.

Curiosity and open-mindedness by it's nature requires a certain degree of vulnerabilty. It's accepting that we may not have all the answers, that we may not know, or that we may be wrong. Which is why creating trust and psychological safety are the foundations for any coaching relationship. In my experience clients can go incredibly far and deep and challenge their mindset, thinking and behaviours when they don't have to fear any judgement. So my short answer to the question of how coaches can encourage openmindedness and curiosity? Build trust!

La méta position est un tres bon exercice pour ouvrir l'esprit: La projection à la place d'autrui à travers la "meta position" est un outil puissant pour développer l'empathie, améliorer la compréhension mutuelle, et favoriser des interactions plus positives et constructives. Elle encourage à reconnaître la complexité des expériences humaines et à traiter les autres avec plus de compassion et de respect. Elle aide la compréhension des enjeux et force cette fameuse ouverture d'esprit