Lessons from the Field
Most months, we pull together the collective professional learning of ReciproCoaches all around the world to deliver a short but power-packed issue of what we refer to as "Lessons from the Field."
Each issue of ReciproCoach Lessons from the Field taps into the feedback left by ReciproCoaches as they participate in reciprocal peer coaching, mentoring and supervision and collates this to address specific areas of coaching practice, providing practical pointers on how to raise your coaching bar.
Here is the collective ReciproCoach learning from our most recent issue:
Probably 99% of ReciproCoach sessions are done via phone/skype. I'd imagine less than 1% of ReciproCoach matches happen to live in the same vicinity and manage to hook up in the flesh.
But, is phone coaching as good as face-to-face coaching?
Like me, you've probably been asked this very question numerous times by clients, or prospective clients.
I used to respond, "Often it's better!" This was because I'd had local clients, who were just 30 minutes away, call me instead of coming to see me. For them, any perceived advantages of face-to-face coaching were not enough to spend the hour on the road.
But last month, I attended the ICF conference in London. I saw ReciproCoaches, who I'd matched, meet for the first time, and others meet again as long time friends (
view photos here). I also had the opportunity to meet, for the first time, ReciproCoaches who I've known for years. My perception of face-to-face versus phone interaction changed.
I noticed how meeting in the flesh changed and deepened our relationships. There was something about the chemistry between us when we shared a physical space and the swapping and interchange of energy that I hadn't experienced in our long distance relationships. I wondered what the implications of this awareness would be on my coaching practice.
I started looking for research on the efficacy of phone coaching over face-to-face coaching. This was not the first time I'd been on such a hunt. Again, I came up with nothing concrete. Just a few studies where phone coaching was used, but no studies that sought to compare phone and face-to-face coaching.
However, at the same time I was pondering this question, a discussion appeared on the
CTI noticeboard and the response clarified my experience at the conference exactly:
"I know that our business world - and the way we "communicate" with others has gotten more and more remote - and there are definite advantages to being able to connect with people worldwide - however, I suggest you look into some of the research about interpersonal neurobiology (and perhaps even look at the HeartMath Institute research). What we now know is that our physical presence can dramatically impact others around us. Our biochemistry and body rhythms are linked when we are in close proximity. So, coaching in person can have a much more profound impact on both the coach and coachee." Cheney Creamer
So on that note, in this issue of Lessons from the Field, I'd like to encourage three things:
- Take any opportunity you get to meet your ReciproCoach matches - your next holiday could be to their home town! And when you do meet, take a photo and send me it, and I'll add it to our new ReciproCoach Reunions page.
- If you are coaching by phone, try to meet a client, at least once, before you get too far into the coaching relationship.
- Notice the difference between your phone coaching and face-to-face sessions over the next month and post your comments on our group discussion here or vote in our poll here. As there are no apparent studies (if you know of one that I haven't found, please let me know), let's do our own casual research!
Archive
And here is the history of our issues ReciproCoach Lessons from the Field:
2012
August: Click here to read the lessons
July: Click here to read the lessons
June: Click here to read the lessons
May: Click here to read the lessons
April: Click here to read the lessons
February: Click here to read the lessons
January: Click here to read the lessons
2011
December: Click here to read the lessons
November: Click here to read the lessons
October: Click here to read the lessons
August: Click here to read the lessons
July: Click here to read the lessons
Always remember, the three-phase learning process of discovery, application and integration (
see our first issue of Coaching Research in Practice) which we, as coaches all facilitate, and consider, what have you discovered (or re-discovered) from the collective learning above that you could apply to your coaching practice?
Thanks goes to the ReciproCoaches who share their learning so openly and honestly during and after coaching, mentoring and supervision rounds, and make collective learning like this possible!
Kerryn Griffiths
Global ReciproCoach Coordinator
