What is mindful coaching? - Chapter 8

This chapter discusses the definition and application of mindful coaching, as well as the evidence underpinning the approach. Mindful coaching (MC) combines coaching with the principles, traits, state(s), processes and philosophy of mindfulness. Although mindfulness in itself is not new with its Buddhist roots going back more than 2500 years, mindful coaching is an emerging coaching approach. One benefit of mindful coaching is that is can be woven into everyday life. You do not have to distance yourself to meditate in a cave. It can be done at home, school, work, everywhere and every day. It is important to be aware of the fact that mindfulness is not about emptying the mind and does not merely involve the mind, but the body, heart (soul) and the wider environment. More generally, we can think of mindfulness as a way of training the mind. 

What is the evidence base of mindful coaching?

Because mindful coaching is so new, there is limited research and authorship relating specifically to mindful coaching. The available research highlights how practising mindfulness can improve emotional intelligence, self-awareness and awareness of others, relationship management, empathy, compassion for self and others, emotion regulation, working memory capacity and more constructure responses to relationship stress.

The author identified many areas of common ground between mindfulness and coaching:

• Belief
  • Person is 'whole'
  • Person is resourceful
  • We are interconnected (systemic lens)
• Perspective / state
  • Beginner's mind
  • Observer's / witness mind
  • Metacognition
  • Self-actualization
  • Presence
  • Contemplation and reflection
  • Curiosity and enquiring-ness
• Quality / ability
  • Compassion
  • Empathy
  • Non-judgment
  • Trust (in oneself, others, and the wider system)
  • Honesty
  • Authenticity
  • Intuitiveness
  • Wisdom
  • Clarity and focus
  • Co-creation

On the other hand, the author identified several areas of potential difference or tension between a mindfulness approach and traditional coaching:

What practical tools and techniques are available for mindful coaching?

Working with mindful coaching can be distinguished into three different types of application:

1. Mindfulness skills training.
2. Coaching for mindfulness.
3. Coaching mindfully.

Some examples of mindful coaching are:

• The coach may use mindfulness techniques to prepare for sessions, so that the coach is more resourceful, creative and present right from the outset.
• The coach shares mindfulness training practices explicitly with the client within the session or as homework, helping the client to be more resourceful, and helping the client to address specific issues or goals such as managing stress, preparing for meetings or presentations, becoming more emotionally intelligent, improving the ability to cope with change or transition and so forth.
• The coach may use mindfulness techniques for reflection after the session, enhancing the ability to notice and capture data and spark insights for example.

The core principles and aspirations for mindful coaching

The core principles and aspirations for coaching mindfully are:

• Not being overly attached to outcomes.
• Being non-judgemental.
• Exploring and reaching resolution with concepts of being / doing.
• Paying attention to being present for and to the client, attuning to the client and resonating with the client.
• Being curious and enquiring.
• Being comfortable with ambiguity and not knowing.
• Being empathic and compassionate to self and others.
• Practising mindfulness (including meditation) regularly.
• Preparing mindfully for each coaching session.
• Reflecting mindfully after each coaching session.
• Approaching coaching systematically, being mindful of the wide systems in which they and their clients operate.
• Attending (not solely) to what arises in the present in coaching interactions. 

The FEEL model

A useful tool is the FEEL model:

• Focus
  • Set intention
  • Shine spotlight on object of attention (ourselves, our thoughts, our feelings, our bodily sensations and so forth)
  • Sharp, steady focus
• Explore
  • Explore what is arising and emerging with curiosity and openness to possibility and non-judgement.
  • Possible questions to ask here are: 'What are you noticing?' and 'Does it have a shape, colour, name? Is it telling you anything?'
• Embrace
  • Turn towards whatever is there, pleasant or unpleasant, with non-judgement and compassion.
  • Without grasping or pushing it away.
• Let go
  • Invitation to let go of what no longer serves.
  • Not being overly attached to outcome.

This model can be used as a general prompt for coaching mindfully, explicitly with the client, or for self-coaching. It is in particular well-suited to work with emotions. 

Cultural context

When applying mindfulness, it is important to be culturally sensitive. 

The mindful minute

Finally, some mindful practices are discussed. For example, the mindful minute exercise suggest you to find a minute where you will not be disturbed. Get settled and put the timer on for a minute. You may close your eyes. Breath naturally, without forcing your breathing. Count how many rounds (one in-breath, one out-breath) there are in your minute. At the end of the minute, you can stop and open your eyes. How many rounds of breathing were there in your minute? Other exercises are: three minute breathing space, awareness of breath meditation, mindful walking, mindful eating, body scan, witness meditation and loving kindness / befriending meditation.

When might mindful coaching be most suitable?

Mindful coaching can be used in many settings. Research has shown that mindful coaching is particularly effective when working with clients in the areas of psychotherapy and neuroscience, including stress management and resilience, emotional intelligence, and cognitive functioning. Below is a list of issues for which mindful coaching is well-suited to help with:

• Developing authentic leadership.
• Identifying and becoming more aligned with values.
• Acting more ethically.
• Developing intuitiveness.
• Developing presence.
• Enhancing self-compassion and compassion to others.
• Increasing self-esteem and confidence.
• Achieving better work / family balance.
• Living more in the present.
• Accepting how things are.
• Boosting health and wellbeing.
• Tackling sleeping problems.
• Improving resilience.
• Stress management.
• Management of mild depression.
• Boosting creativity.
• Enhancing cognitive performance. 

This chapter discusses the definition and application of mindful coaching, as well as the evidence underpinning the approach. Mindful coaching (MC) combines coaching with the principles, traits, state(s), processes and philosophy of mindfulness. Although mindfulness in itself is not new with its Buddhist roots going back more than 2500 years, mindful coaching is an emerging coaching approach. One benefit of mindful coaching is that is can be woven into everyday life. You do not have to distance yourself to meditate in a cave. It can be done at home, school, work, everywhere and every day. It is important to be aware of the fact that mindfulness is not about emptying the mind and does not merely involve the mind, but the body, heart (soul) and the wider environment. More generally, we can think of mindfulness as a way of training the mind.