Beyond Culture
As coaches, we understand that the client's culture and perspectives significantly influence their process. Joining this process is the most efficient way to achieve lasting transformation. Using tools that respect and evoke client awareness within their cultural context is valuable in a cross-cultural world.
As we focus on ICF Competency 7 (Evoking Awareness #7-6 through 7-11),
ICF definition:
"7. Evokes Awareness ‘Definition: Facilitates client insight and learning by using tools and techniques such as powerful questioning, silence, metaphor, or analogy.’"
Here are two tools to kick off this discussion:
1) "7-6. Invites the client to share more about their experience in the moment
7-7. Notices what is working to enhance client progress."
Pausing in moments of vulnerability has been meaningful when working with a client. One client developed their exercise, which they walked us through during the session. The coach's role was to respond to the exercise the client gave through debriefing. Being present during such an exercise, with the ability to summarize and reflect on what the client has shared, is essential.
Another client closed their eyes and centered in prayer with the Lord. During both of these sessions, it was vital for the coach to remain present and affirm the client's process and progress. A coach can notice a client's progress and invite them to share more about their experience by watching their body language, facial expressions, and pacing. Recently, a visualization exercise turned into a time of prayer for a client. Asking the client the role they desired the coach to have while taking notice of the client's vocabulary and peace was powerful. In this way, the client freely shared this experience, and the coach remains in partnership.
2) "7-8. Adjusts the coaching approach in response to the client's needs
7-9. Helps the client identify factors that influence current and future patterns of behavior, thinking, or emotion.
7-10. Invites the client to generate ideas about how they can move forward and what they are willing or able to do
7-11. Supports the client in reframing perspectives."
Joining a client's progress connects to all of the previously mentioned sub-competencies. The topic of "personal validation" has become common among coaching clients this year. Listening for underlining or additional values and beliefs can allow clients to connect and state their current vs desired perspective. Through the focus on culture, some clients prefer company in processing, not to feel alone. Others might wish to see the impact of their decisions on people around them. I like to use the image of a table as a coach. Multiple seats at the table represent perspectives, voices, and individuals who might be interconnected to the client in progress or impact through their movement forward. As a client is not aiming to change others, their choices, if made in the community or impacting others, are processed differently among various cultures. With this approach for multiple clients, "self-validation" has become deeply grafted into the client's awareness.
These are only a few tools regarding culture and coaching.
Awareness of cultural values will significantly increase your capacity to serve diverse clients. Please see available courses for free and paid this month for more details!
