Intuition

In coaching and mentoring knowing what to say, which question to ask, what feedback to offer and when to delve deeper can be attributed to the experience of the coach or mentor. However, using a particular question or action may unlock the situation for the client and give them inspiration. Where the coach or mentor cannot rationally explain why they chose that particular question or action, it is probably down to their intuition.

Intuition describes the way that we gain access to and use the brain's power without the constraints of logical thinking. Intuition uses information from a wide range of sources including emotional, physical and instinctive and it enables us to quickly make sense of a complex situation at a subconscious level. It is often called the sixth sense.

Using intuition in coaching and mentoring
There are many ways of using intuition in coaching and mentoring, including:
-Directing the course of questioning.
-Following a path even though you do not know where it will lead.
-Checking that what is being said by the client ties in with how they are behaving and reacting.
-Trying to understand what the client is thinking and feeling but may not be actually saying.
-Directing the flow of the coaching or mentoring session.
Using intuition can enrich your coaching and mentoring but it is important to guard against using your intuition to justify preconceptions and to leap to conclusions.

How to develop your intuition?
We are encouraged from an early age to think and act rationally, which can result in our intuition being suppressed. To develop your intuitive skills you may want to try the following:
-Follow your intuition when you are coaching and mentoring, don't be afraid of it.
-Train yourself to be aware of your intuition.
-Allow yourself to follow your intuition in every day situations and see where it leads you.
-Tune in and listen to your intuition rather than letting your rational mind override it.
-Take time out from your work and life to reflect and contemplate.
-Build relaxation and exercise time into your schedule.
-Be open and flexible.
-Do something different to what you would normally do.
-Enhance your self-awareness by understanding yourself better.
-Build your self-esteem and self-confidence.
-Don't listen to your inner voices telling you not to use your intuition.
As you heighten your intuition you will enable your clients to be inspired and unlock the situation they are in and move forward.

By developing your intuition and using it in your coaching and mentoring, together with a systematic approach and your training, knowledge and experience, you will find that the service you provide to your clients will be enhanced.

If you would like supervision for your coaching or mentoring please refer to the Makin It Happen – Supervision & Support for Coaches & Mentors website at http:/coachmentorsupervision.co.uk or contact Liz Makin at Liz@makinithappen.co.uk.

This article first appeared in the February 2008 edition of the Makin It Happen – Supervision & Support for Coaches & Mentors newsletter. Please click here to Sign up for our email newsletter.