COACHING, CLIENTS AND COMPETENCIES: How Coaches Experience the Flow State. Barrett W. McBride, PhD. Summary of Research Findings

Transcription

1 COACHING, CLIENTS AND COMPETENCIES: How Coaches Experience the Flow State Barrett W. McBride, PhD Summary of Research Findings 2013, 2016 Barrett W. McBride Reproduction with Attribution Permitted

2 INTRODUCTION Following is a summary of research findings from Coaching, Clients & Competencies: How Coaches Experience the Flow State, conducted by Barrett McBride, PhD, MCC. This summary provides a high level overview of the research, findings and models developed as a result of the research. For additional information, please contact the author. Many thanks go out to the research participants who made this study possible. RESEARCHER BACKGROUND Barrett McBride has had a deep interest in adult development for most of her own adult life. Coaching professionally for 20 years, she has Master Coach Certification (MCC) status with the International Coach Federation, is certified a Coach Supervisor through the Coaching Supervision Academy, a Certified Coach by the Center for Credentialing and Education, is a Fellow of the Institute of Coaching, and a graduate of Fielding University s Evidence-based Coaching Program. In addition to direct coaching experience, Ms. McBride also has extensive experience in adult education. She is a faculty member of Wellcoaches, Inc., teaching in both the Core Coaching program and the Professional Coach Training Programs. In addition to teaching for Wellcoahes, she is also a member of the curriculum development team for the recently revised Core Coaching Program. Ms. McBride is also adjunct faculty member for the University of San Francisco, where she teaches in the School of Management. Ms. McBride received her PhD degree from Fielding Graduate University in She holds a Master of Arts Degree in Human Development from Fielding and a Master of Science Degree in Organization Development from the University of San Francisco. Ms. McBride has owned her own coaching and consulting business for nearly 20 years. In addition to coaching, she provides management consulting services in the areas of Organization Development, Leadership Development and Strategic Business Development. 2

3 THE STUDY The purpose of this Research study was to explore the experiences of professional coaches who experience flow and to understand perceived coaching competencies related to flow. The definition of flow used in this study was that of flow research pioneer, Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi: Flow is an altered state of consciousness that occurs while engaged in a meaningful activity that produces a sense of gratification for the activity itself. The definition of professional coaching used in this study was that of the International Coach Federation (2012): A distinct service which focuses on an individual's life as it relates to goal setting, outcome creation and personal change management. The research was a qualitative study, in which professional, ICF-certified coaches with a minimum of 10 years of coaching experience were interviewed about their experiences of flow. RESEARCH FINDINGS This study produced five themes and three models The Themes 1. Preconditions Exist in order for coaches to experience flow 2. Identifiable triggers exist for moving in and out of the flow state. 3. The flow state is a transcendent experience for coaches. 4. The flow state produces an extended positive affect. 5. Coaching competencies play a key role in coaches experience of flow. The Models 1) The Model of Coach Flow Experience 2) The Model of Coach Flow Entry Process 3) The Model of Flow Experience for the Helping Professions 3

4 1) The Model of Coach Flow Experience According to the Model of Coach Flow Experience: Coaches move through a series of steps when they experience flow during a coaching session. Clients contribute to coaches experience of the flow state. Coaching competencies play an overarching role in coaches ability to experience flow during a session. 2) The Model of Coach Flow Entry Process Embedded in the Model of Coach Flow Experience is the Model of Coach Flow Entry. According to this model, flow is triggered by a four-stage process within a coaching session: The Cognitive Dance Cognitive exercise of questions, answers & reflections The Challenge -- Powerful Question or Reflection The Shift -- Shift in Client Behavior Flow Entry Coach enters the Flow State 4

5 3) The Model of Flow Experience for the Helping Professions According to the Model of Flow Experience for the Helping Professions: Helping professionals move through a series of steps when they experience flow during a coaching session. Clients contribute to helping professionals experience of the flow state. Professional competencies of the specific profession play an overarching role in helping professionals ability to experience flow during a session. The embedded Model of Coach Flow Entry Process is a model distinct to coaching. A related model would need to be developed for each distinct helping profession. 5

6 SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY The significance of the study is multifaceted as it: Fills a gap in the empirical literature on coach development. Provides insight into the experience of coaches, for which there is little research. Contributes understanding of the nature of flow as it applies to coaches. Provides a new perspective on coach development and competence. Results in new models that facilitate coach development. Is applicable to other helping professions. CONCLUSION In summary, this study revealed that the flow state for coaches is: A multifaceted integration of cognition, heart, transcendence and competence that serves and is served by their experience, competence and dedication to the service of clients. Coaches experience a process that includes skill, trust, integration of coaching competencies. Competencies play a key role in coaches ability to achieve and sustain flow in a coaching session. 6