Controlling Emotions & Active Experimentation Gestalt Coaching at Work John Leary-Joyce 1
Controlling Emotions and Active Experimentation Webinar Overview Introduction Spectrum of Coaching Practice Overview of Gestalt Model of Human Functioning Gestalt Approach to the Nature of Change Active Experimentation - the 4 Levels Coaching practice using five tools Coaches attitude 2
. 3
Spectrum of Coaching Practices Skills Performance Developmental Existential 4
Skills/Performance Approach Future is specified desired/created Gap Analysis - How to get from current to desired future state Focus on specific goals and behaviours to achieve solutions Cognitive analysis of situation that needs to be changed Objective Evidence Based Effort to learn Skills to change Behaviours Doing explore what I do 5
Skills/Performance Approach Future is specified desired /created Gap Analysis - How to get from current to desired future state Focus on specific goals and behaviours achieve solutions Cognitive analysis of situation that need to be changed Objective - Evidence Based Effort to learn Skills to change Behaviours Doing explore what I do Developmental/ Existential Approach Future as possibilities - emergent Needs / Discomfort Analysis - How we got to be the we are, why we do it this way and what we can do Focus on over-arching results, dilemmas, complexity Emotional Feelings Self -belief, Attitude, Confidence, Presence, Relationships Subjective - Experienced based Courage to accept self and face personal challenges Being explore who I am 6
Working with Emotions using a Gestalt coaching approach What is GESTALT? 7
Gestalt coaching GESTALT means whole or complete 8
Gestalt Coaching We fill in the gaps to make a a whole picture a gestalt 9
Gestalt coaching 10
Gestalt coaching Confusion!!!! 11
Two Key Principles of Gestalt Coaching in Relation to Controlling Emotions First: Developing Awareness in the Present Moment 12
Dimensions of Awareness Action Behaviour Thinking Perceiving Physical & Emotional Feelings 13
Control Emotions by accessing Thinking Physical & Emotional Feelings 14
Two Key Principles of Gestalt Coaching in Relation to Controlling Emotions First: Developing Awareness in the Present Moment (Mindfulness) Second: Paradox of Change Principle 15
COACHING APPROACH Actively Take Responsibility Abdicate Responsibility Take action Be Different Become Resigned to Fate 16
The Nature of Change Actively Take Responsibility Abdicate Responsibility Take action Be Different Accept the situation Be More Myself Become Resigned to Fate 17
Gestalt Paradox of Change Arnold Beisser Change occurs when you become who you are Not when you try to be what you re not 18
Gestalt Paradox of Change Arnold Beisser Change occurs when you become who you are Change is effort when you try to be what you re not 19
Controlling Emotions Productively Gestalt Coaching Trust the Process.. Develop Awareness of: Awareness leads to change (Paradox of Change) Only Goal is Awareness - in the here & now 20
Active Experimentation.WHY? 1. Joint researchers 2. Work in the present see the impact 3. Test our hypotheses with curiosity 4. Outcome never wrong 5. No resistance just data 6. Robust challenge create a safe emergency Skill comes in constructing the experiment to balance challenge and support and generate the biggest change. 21
Constructing an Experiment Four Levels Intensity 1. Dissociation 2. Imagining Personal Experience 3. Physical Enactment 4. Direct Communication 22
Four Levels Intensity in an Experiment 1. Dissociation The coachee is observing the situation himself and or another person, doing the activity and is therefore: Not connected directly to the experience Able to see the wider context Observing the situation unfold Seeing the subsequent outcome Viewing it all from a witness position In control and able to turn it off if gets too much 23
Levels of Intensity in an Experiment 2. Imagining Personal Experience The coachee is invited to: 1. Experience of the sensations internally without having to demonstrate any external reaction 2. Imagine or draw to illustrate the emotionally aroused state 3. Reflect on the experience to gain insight and learning. 24
Levels of Intensity in an Experiment 3. Physical Enactment Coach engages with the same level of energy Matches the tone of voice and body posture So Coachee knows you are alongside. The coachee is invited: To access and demonstrate the unfamiliar reaction Become aware of the physical sensation of the emotion and exaggerate it. The exposure of the inhibited emotion makes the coachee highly aware but also more vulnerable. 25
Levels of Intensity in an Experiment 4. Direct Communication Coach ready to be affected React in an authentic way So Coachee feels you are fully in contact You invite the coachee to Look at you directly Express the words with energy directly to you. You know how much the coachee is in touch and engaged because you feel the impact. 26
The Toolkit to create an Experiment 1. Exaggeration loosening the knot 2. Movement & Bodywork 3. Using Voice 4. Using Art & Objects 5. Metaphors 27
Controlling Emotions Productively Gestalt Coaching Trust the Process.. Develop Awareness of: Awareness leads to change (Paradox of Change) Only Goal is Awareness - in the here & now Expand Awareness into Polarities: 28
Dialogue Relationship COACH S ATTITUDE to SELF and Coachee Respect whole person Patience trusting the process Non-judgemental everything is information, not good, bad, right, wrong Relationship of Equals Bring your whole self into the relationship Two persons focused on developing awareness of one 29
Coaching Practice Horns of a Dilemma Key underlying principle Paradox of Change Change happens when you fully experience and accept who/what you are Coaches Purpose To facilitate the coachee to fully experience both sides of the dilemma No solution; No plan; No goal; No opinion totally objective and accepting allowing change to happen Coaches Skill To find as many creative ways as possible to facilitate the coachee to fully experience both sides of the dilemma 30
Q & A For further questions, Information on Gestalt courses Receive free pdf chapter Active Experimentation from Fertile Void Contact me, John Leary-Joyce at info@aoec.com 31