Coaching for perspective

Taking some time out this afternoon from the business, a friend and I were drawing a dried seed head picked up from the beach. My friend noticed the shadow cast on the paper by electric light so we decided to draw from this perspective for a change and see how the image changed. Great fun and quite a different picture unfolded by painting the shadow. This set me thinking about coaching clients and how perspective may affect their progress.

If we look at the definitions of perspective:

1) The art of representing three-dimensional objects on a two-dimensional surface so as to give the right impression of their height, width, depth, and position in relation to each other.

2) Or, a particular attitude towards or way of regarding something; a point of view.

So, how many times can you think of when your perspective on a subject was fixed, but this view stopped you from progressing. We see it in relationships with colleagues, amongst families and friends and many other interactions. So how can you connect to your challenge? What other approach could you consider to gain clarity and make progress?

Looking at perspective in relation to our view on something or someone, as coaches we ask our clients if they looked at their issue from a different perspective what would that be? and how will it affect the decision they may make? Stephen Covey makes a good example of this in his book: The 7 habits of highly effective people. Habit number 5 is: “Seek first to understand, then be understood”. This is such a useful exercise to use in encouraging a change of perspective and developing synergy and ultimately productivity between individuals. Maybe you are on the receiving end of an undesirable response from someone, do you really hear what they are saying or are you busy mounting your own reactive response to the situation? However, if you change your perspective on the situation and learn to explore and celebrate the differences between individuals, just think of the potential for finding new solutions to your problems!

The coaching journey helps you to change the way you are thinking to achieve the outcome you wish for. A step by step process to help you challenge your belief system and unpick your perspective on the problem. So what is your truth and what are you really seeing?