What is Co-Active Coaching?

The term 'co-active' refers to the fact that, in the coaching relationship, the coach and client are active collaborators. It is a relationship between two equals where the sole purpose of the relationship is to meet the client's needs.

There are four underlying principles that form the foundation of co-active coaching :

1) The client is naturally creative, resourceful and whole (even if they may temporarily feel they have lost touch with some of those resources). I do not perceive you as broken or needing to be fixed. I know that you, not me, have, or can find, the answers you are looking for - the ones that will work for the unique, complex person you are with all your individual strengths and weaknesses, beliefs, values and personal history. My job is to ask the powerful questions, and use other techniques and activities, that will enable you to access those answers.

2) Co-active coaching addresses the client's whole life. It recognizes that all the areas of your life are interlinked and that decisions made in one area will impact others. For example, a career choice can affect health, family, friends and where you live.

3) The agenda comes from the client. You are in charge; the relationship is focused on you getting the results that you want. I never assume that I know what is best for you. Rather, I ensure that you are moving towards your stated objectives within the wider context of a fulfilled and balanced life.

4) The coach 'dances in the moment' with the client. This means that there is no predetermined plan or structure. During a session I am constantly making choices about where to go next with the coaching, sensing what is important and basing my next question or suggestion on what is happening in the moment. I listen at a deep level, use my intuition and am willing and able to be very flexible.