Intuitive coaching; working with your intuition as a coach

In every coaching conversation there are signals and patterns that are not immediately visible or named. To work with these, as a coach you have a powerful tool in your hands; your own intuition! Only, how do you use it in a professional and ethical way? In this article you will learn more about intuitive coaching, how to use it and important do’s and don’ts.

What is intuitive coaching?

Intuition in coaching is the ability to use inner signals, feelings and impressions to gain insight into the coachee’s situation and to determine appropriate actions in the moment. This involves a deeper form of understanding and “knowing” that is not always directly rationally explainable and can certainly be valuable in the coaching process.

So what can intuitive coaching entail?

Consider:

1. Sensing underlying emotions: A coach uses intuition to understand what is going on at a deeper emotional level with the coachee, even if it is not explicitly expressed.
2. Making connections: Intuition helps recognize connections between various issues the coachee brings up, which can lead to deeper insights and more effective coaching.
3. Timing: Knowing when to ask certain questions or when just to give space to the coachee can be a form of intuitive action.
4. Adapting coaching style: Intuition can guide a coach to adapt his or her style to the coachee’s needs, for example, by listening more and speaking less, or conversely by asking more directive questions.

What does it take for a professional coach to work with intuition?

Using intuition in coaching means that you learn to listen to that little voice, that feeling in your gut that sometimes tells you what is going on, perhaps the tension in your body, even if it is not immediately visible. Working with intuition also requires from you as a coach (or coaching manager) a high degree of self-awareness and especially self-reflection. It is important to continuously evaluate preconceptions and assumptions and set them aside where necessary. This ensures that the intuition of the coach does not become the truth and that you do not allow yourself to be led by it in the conversation.

Using intuition in coaching requires a balance between feeling and reason. As a coach, you must be able to switch quickly between listening, interpreting and asking questions that prompt the coachee to self-discovery and self-reflection.

Pitfalls, do’s and don’ts in intuitive coaching

Intuitive coaching thus requires awareness as well as practice. Two things to which – among other reasons – we pay a lot of attention in our coach training. If you want to work more with your intuition in coaching conversations, keep the following in mind:

The most common pitfalls in intuitive coaching

• Relying solely on intuition: This can lead to ignoring important facts or signals that also require attention.
• Projection: Projecting your own experiences or feelings onto the coachee can cloud the process.

What you especially don’t want to do

• Don’t force it: If your intuition is not clear, don’t try to force it. Intuition should come naturally; it is naturally present.
• Neglect techniques: Intuition is powerful and best when combined with other coaching techniques.
• Sticking to the “truth” of your intuition

What above all to do

• Validate your intuition: Check with your coachee if your intuition is correct. You can do this by asking if your interpretation resonates.
• Be transparent: Let your coachee know that your intuition plays a role in how you coach and ask for feedback.

Practical tips for developing your intuition

It is sometimes said “you either have intuition or you don’t.” We think that – like many skills – it can be developed. How can you develop your intuition further – inside and outside a coaching conversation?

1. Journaling/reflection: By writing regularly about your experiences and the intuitive “hits” you had during conversations, you can discover patterns and hone your intuitive skills.
2. Ask for feedback: At the end of conversations, ask for feedback from your coachee. This can help you understand how accurate your intuitive feelings were.
3. Develop your emotional intelligence: Actively work to improve your ability to recognize, understand and manage emotions in yourself and others. This strengthens your intuitive coaching skills.

Working with intuition can make your coaching conversation more authentic, add depth and increase effectiveness. A win-win for you and your coachee!

In the ICF Core Competency model, intuitive coaching fits best in Competency 7, marker 7.5. If you want to learn more about this competency model take a look here.

Want to learn more about professional, transformational coaching?

Request a free orientation interview now! Or take a look at the 3-day Coaching Essentials or year-long Co-Creation course. Intention is ICF Level 2 accredited, affiliated with NOBCO, NRTO and ACTO and has over 20 years of experience in training people in transformational coaching and leadership. With an Intention education or training, you contribute to growth, connection and greater authenticity in your immediate environment, within organizations and in the world.