Location, Location, Location
Nature encompasses elements and phenomena of Earth’s lands, waters, and biodiversity, from a pot plant or a small stream, or park to expansive, “pristine” wilderness with its dynamics of fire, weather and geology. So, from office grounds to Ben Nevis – where is the appropriate space for coaching outdoors? Well, it depends…Where are you and your client going to be most physically comfortable and what location is going to serve as the best container to meet the need of the coachee and the issue?
Physical Comfort
A coaching sessions focus should be on the conversation not on the challenge of walking. If your or your client’s capacity is taken up with physical exertion, way-finding or managing a fear of sheep, cows, birds or height then you are not offering a supportive environment or psychological safety.
It is important that you know your comfort zone and boundaries and that of your client so that you work within them (unless it complements the client’s development to work at the edge of their boundary and you’ve contracted to do so). For many people their comfort zone will be a low-level walk on a firm path, for a handful of others it might be the nearest large hill.
Due to my participation in the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race, I’m often asked about running coaching sessions on boats for individuals and teams. I can honestly say that unless you are both (or all, if it’s team development) very accomplished sailors or, you are spending a few consecutive days on a development journey and able to get comfortable at sea, then the environment is not going to support the work. Much of my attention during my first few weeks at sea was taken up with ‘I hope I’m not seasick’, ‘what does this rope do?’, ‘what were we told about winches?, I don’t want to lose my finger in this one’, ‘make sure I don’t get hit by the boom’, what if I do something wrong?’, ‘where’s the best place to stand/sit’, ‘how do I go to the toilet and how does it flush?’. My capacity was consumed with staying safe and managing my insecurities at sea. I had nothing left for reflection, awareness and exploration of my patterns, behaviours, thoughts, feelings and assumptions. Six months later after being at sea 24/7, it was a different story, sailing was sub-conscious and I would have been in a great place to have been coached at sea not least because I felt alive and free on the ocean.
Whilst a racing yacht is an extreme example, it helps to paint the picture of how important it is to stay within your and your clients comfort zone, allowing your full attention, at every level, to be focused on the coaching session.
The Right Container
The qualities of the natural setting you choose can determine the impact of the session for a client. For example; a small shady woodland area enclosed by trees can feel private, intimate and containing - especially good for emotional fragility. Open downs with their vast expanse of sweeping space, few trees and long views can feel much more exposing and uncontained – perhaps overwhelming for a client who is feeling particularly vulnerable. However, if a client is wanting the space to shift perspective and unstick something or is feeling overwhelmed then a space which invites freedom and movement can support this. A horizon is great for conversations about the future. Water is great for reflection. We explore this concept further in the Nature as Co-facilitator programme.
Nature offers so much in the way of supporting us. As coaches we have an opportunity to become attuned to this and to match the clients needs with the best environment thus allowing nature to make a positive contribution to the dynamic created for the client.
Green Space / Blue Space
‘Green space’ and ‘Blue space’ have popped up as terms for trees & grass and water. So, which is best? Medics were prescribing convalescence by the sea as far back as the 18th century, but it’s only been in the last decade that evidence for a ‘blue health’ effect has emerged, with studies showing that people who live close to the coast tend to have better health and higher life satisfaction than those who reside inland. Data suggests that people in the UK tend to be happiest when they are by the coast, and research has directly pitted green spaces (like the countryside) against rivers, lakes and the ocean. Blue spaces repeatedly come out on top but there might also be a sweet spot; one study suggested that a scene consisting of one-third green and two-thirds blue was most preferred. So, it appears that the ideal venue has both – not that, that’s always achievable!
What makes a good location?
There are some very simple logistical basics that the venue you choose for coaching outdoors must have;
access to a toilet nearby
easy to get to
shelter if the weather turns
a reasonable amount of peace and quiet
And then there is the icing on the cake;
A mix of woodland, water, open space and good views
Seats along the way
The ability to lengthen and shorten the walk
The chance to pick a different route to stay out the wind
Having a variety of walks in the same location
Wildlife and features that can be used for mirroring and metaphor
Awe inspiring
I would also like to share that clients have told me they appreciate the travel time to the coaching location. It offers them a buffer from the day to day pressures. They use the journey there to let go of the office pressures and to gather their thoughts for the session ahead while the journey back (or ideally home) allows for setting and reflection before other demands are placed upon them. You don’t get this protected time when coaching in an office environment.
Unknown Venues
What if your coachee suggests you meet at a venue you don’t know? Or, the place that is most convenient for both of you is one you have not been to? Well, it’s personal choice. This has occurred for me on a few occasions and sometimes it has worked out well and other times not so well. On one occasion I met a client at Clumber Park in Nottinghamshire, a beautiful location which I would use again; plenty of parking, lots of space, water and trees, wide open paths and a variety of routes. It was ideal. However, I was not as fully focused on the client as I could have been due to not knowing the venue (perhaps that says something about a need for control!), part of my attention was taken with making sure we didn’t get lost or end our session miles away from where we had started, there were also route decisions to make along the way. No one would necessarily hold me responsible for any of these decisions but I felt as the coach, I had a duty of care for my client. Others coaches may have had a different experience but as I mentioned above, it’s all about knowing what supports you to give your best to each client. I was lucky that day, we had a lovely walk, a good coaching session and the timings and route choice worked out well.
On another occasion I found myself in a park in the middle of Sheffield and whilst it provided some beautiful features; stepping stones, secluded paths, grand trees, a pond with ducks and some well placed benches, it was in the middle of town and was not a very large area so I felt I was walking in circles and avoiding people and traffic. I found myself getting frustrated and therefore was not at my best as a coach. You will be unsurprised to know that the venue paralleled my relational experience with the client but that’s another story.
In summary; research the venue as much as you can and give it a go? Explore your comfort levels and reflect on your experience to give you insight as to whether you are comfortable with the unknown.
Flexibility
Just as coaches excel in flexing to meet the needs of clients you can see that by having a variety of walks you can meet their needs for location. Whether it is driven by weather, the clients state or something unexpected, considering what route/venue will support your client best, helps to ensure their psychological safety and give you the best chance of a valuable session.
Woodlands, riverside walks, meadows, nature reserves, mountains, canal walks and parks. The world’s your oyster, have fun exploring what works for you.
If you’d like to experience more insights to support you in your coaching outdoors work take a look at our programmes.
Lesley
Lesley holds an MSc in Executive Coaching from Ashridge Business school, is an EMCC Senior coach and she has 16 years commercial experience with Mars Inc. Read More >
She is the author of ‘Coaching Outdoors; the essential guide to partnering with nature in your coaching conversations’.
Contact by calling +44 (0) 7799 581792 or email info@coachingoutdoors.com.