The new possibilities of coaching on the screen
Ellen ist sitting on her cosy couch. The cell phone is off. A cup of coffee is ready and there is still plenty of time to start work. Via a special link Ellen dials into the internet coaching room on her PC. The familiar face of her coach appears on the screen. Without any hurdles the conversation quickly goes into deep findings from the last session. What has happened in the meantime? What is currently pending? What is the agreed topic for today? Coach and coach are focussed and loot at virtual flip charts. Both draw, talk and work with objects in Ellen´s living room. Paintings on the wall get integrated and used as symbols, ideas are created and plans are made. The online-coaching session flows.
Online-Coaching. Really the same?
Many people are surprised that meetings and events on the screen work better than expected. But is personal coaching not something that lives from human encounters? Is it really the same thing to talk to a coach on screen? Isn’t that very different from experiencing a coaching session in a dedicated, physical work space?
Quality loss or even advantage?
More choice without traveling
It is obvious that the possibility of online coaching ensures that there is no need to travel there. Time definitely is saved, costs also saved, the environment protected and even the selection of available coaches is increased! Online coaching makes it easier to find the coach in the entire market who specializes in a topic. The one who seems suitable, competent and personable.
Flexible scheduling
The time save on arrival and departure makes it easier to make appointments. Scheduling becomes more flexible. Some coaches even offer online appointments before normal working hours, during the lunch break or right after work. For both sides, there is greater freedom in scheduling a coaching session. Especially in times of home office or short-time work, it is a huge advantage that online coaches are available. In this way, the compulsory free time can be used effectively for personal development.
Working without pictures, objects, flip charts, drawings?
This is no longer a big problem in online coaching. The more creatively the coach adapts to the situation, the more the coachee benefits. A variety of online tools ensure that you can work together on a flipchart on screen. Pictures, calendars, objects and much more can be used. The coachee has things in his environment that can even be more helpful for a coaching session than expected. Because they are things that the coachee sees every day. Things and pictures she/he is familiar with. There is maybe even an emotional bond. A redundancy effect can even be particularly supportive in this special coaching process.
Distance creates focus, too
But isn’t the distance a significant disadvantage compared to a real coaching session? To a live situation, face to face in one room? One would think that emotions, nuances, gestures and posture – important elements in communication – fall by the wayside during online coaching. Not at all! Experienced coaches also perceive emotional impulses, changes in view, in posture, etc., provided that they work in a focused manner. The conversation over the distance even might increase focus. Which by the way, is exactly as large as the image section. Looking out of the window, staring at the feet and other impulses are reduced. On the other hand, the face-to-face view on the screen enables concentrated work, which can be a great advantage.
Home game for the coachee
In an own environment, relaxed and in an own comfortable zone openness and access to feelings may have fewer hurdles to overcome. Not being in a strange room, but on the cozy couch, at the desk, in the familiar armchair. This can ensure that serenity and the willingness to open up even increase.
Online coaching is better than expected – if the setting fits
It depends very much on whether a coach is familiar with online tools, whether he is sensitive enough to perceive the fine nuances on the screen. In other words: whether he feels comfortable with the coaching setting and can deal with it. If both sides, coach and coachee, recognize the advantages, then for sure. Using the new possibilities creatively and making the most of them is the best prerequisite for successful coaching.
ARE YOU ALSO IN A DECISION-MAKING PHASE? IN A CHANGE SITUATION ARE YOU LOOKING FOR SOLUTIONS?
YOU HAVE ALREADY WANTED TO ADDRESS A CERTAIN TOPIC REGARDING YOUR PROFESSIONAL OR PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT?
ARE YOU LOOKING FOR PROFESSIONAL SUPPORT?
THEN CONTACT CORNELIA MORHARDT MINDFUL CHANGE COACHING
