Helping you to develop deep insights that help you to decide what’s next

“A picture paints a thousand words” is a phrase used to reinforce the widely accepted fact that often a visual image can help to describe situations or convey a complex story much better than words alone.

The same is true of other arts-based approaches in coaching conversations because there is evidence that such methods can enhance self awareness and support reflection and goal setting. These are important components of coaching.

I have a particular interest in the use of coachee-generated photographic images in coaching, and this fascinating topic formed the basis of my Masters’ dissertation at Henley Business School. I asked a group of willing participants to take 5 photographs of images that held some meaning for them. We then explored their choices together by asking questions such as: “what makes this image meaningful to you?” and “what does this image say about your values?” The results were remarkable. I have been using this method in my coaching conversations enabling my clients to:

• develop insights about what is important to them
• gain clarity about their values: as a result they have been able to consider how they can more effectively align with these values
• tell a story about their lives – what brings them joy, to identify relationships, both past and present, that are important to them
• spark ideas about what situations, environments, people or feelings help to generate positive emotions leading in turn to greater happiness and satisfaction
• consider aspects of their previous life, hobbies and interests that were developed in the past that have been discontinued that they would like to bring back into their life
• provide a window into their previous life, their sources of joy and satisfaction. This insight can help to build on the best of what went before
• confidently address challenging life and career transitions that they may be experiencing
• think about completely new interests that may form part of their future life

Here are some of my own photographs, that have meaning to me, simply taken on my smart phone. If you would like to explore this powerful and effective coaching tool, please contact me here.