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Professional Coaching and Mentoring: The Causal Factors
As we are well aware sustainable behaviour change is only made possible to the degree to which the
drivers of behaviour are identified and explored. A key part of the professional coaching and mentoring process is uncovering
the causal factors to actions and the essential strategies that can be used to uncover them
Professional coaching is an art. A skill and a technique that if mastered can literally change the world. The one
crucial component that makes professional coaching and mentoring outstanding is its ability to create cognitive transformation.
For a process of deep discovery to be initiated, the hard wiring and core beliefs elements of individuals need to
be examined. This is not an easy process for both professional coach and client respectively. Much of our childhood experiences
have moulded our thinking and emotions and are deeply embedded with us.
The challenging aspect for the professional coach, is the fact that if the causal factors are to be identified
it will be necessary to delve into the depths that most would fear to tread. So how best could this be approached and
what strategies can be used?
The first point in this discussion is an interesting one. It focuses on the degree to which the professional coach
is aligned to facilitate the coaching and mentoring process. How comfortable is s/he to guide the process particularly with a
willing but closed hearted client?
Questioning is key in the skill set. When the professional coaching and mentoring process is more about asking the right questions than
it is about anything else progress is most likely assured. Preconceptions about how the process unfolds need to be
shelved at all time. Often the professional coach becomes caught up in the attainment of results and the process becomes tainted.
Another point for discussion is the choice of methodology. Do you put your attention on the key experiences in the past
that have shaped current beliefs and emotions or do you rather focus on Logotherapy (meaning therapy) for faster progression?
This has been a long standing debate. Personally I am in favour of the latter. My professional coaching and mentoring experience in trying both
practices have led to undoubtedly discover how when the lack of meaning in current reality is highlighted change is far more
likely to happen in a sustainable and fulfilling way.
Another aspect of the professional coaching and mentoring process in the area of sustainable change through the casual factor approach is
anchoring the change in the body. In time of stress and pressure we often tend to revert of old patterns of behaviour and
use or cognition as our primary guide. When a change is anchored in the body is does not rely on the subjective mind for
its fuelling. The body is the objective experience of our thoughts and when we use the body as the default point for
direction we are sure to cement powerful change.
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