Coach Yourself First: A coach’s guide to self-reflection

By Mark Bisson

Why is self-reflection critical for coaches and supervisors? How could you enhance you self-reflection capability? What approaches, models and tools could you use to self reflect? 
Coach Yourself First provides a balance of theory and practical guidance to support coaches and coach supervisors on their journey of improving their ability to self-reflect in their practice. It describes the contextual theory relating to self-reflection and provides a variety of approaches, models and tools covering the different learning styles which coaches can use to develop new awareness and insight. Starting with a description of the history of the theory of self-reflection, it continues through to its use in healthcare, teaching and education-based professions. Links are made with the core competencies of coaching and the research evidence base which proves the benefits of self-reflection. 
Coach Yourself First is interwoven with personal stories and insights from the author which add a richness and real world perspective to the practical guidance provided through a variety of approaches to self-reflection including creative tools, reflective writing techniques, reflective metaphors, reflective poetry, sand play, and a number of visual approaches. Bursting with helpful advice for all skill levels, it will appeal to novice and established coaches alike.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Troubador Publishing Ltd
• Release date: May 28, 2017
• ISBN: 9781788031967

Mark Bisson

Mark Bisson is an internationally credentialed coach and coach supervisor with the International Coaching Federation and has an MA in applied coaching. He has been coaching, supervising and mentoring since 2000. Mark is also a visiting lecturer at Jesus College, Cambridge and an Institute of Leadership and Management (ILM) assessor for leadership and coaching qualification programmes.

Book preview

Coach Yourself First

A coach’s guide to self-reflection

Mark Bisson

Copyright © 2017 Mark Bisson

The moral right of the author has been asserted.

Apart from any fair dealing for the purposes of research or private study, or criticism or review, as permitted under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988, this publication may only be reproduced, stored or transmitted, in any form or by any means, with the prior permission in writing of the publishers, or in the case of reprographic reproduction in accordance with the terms of licences issued by the Copyright Licensing Agency. Enquiries concerning reproduction outside those terms should be sent to the publishers.

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To Jade and Gemma, you are stronger than you think you are. Life events have shaped you and made you resilient and reflective. My wish is that you continue to build your own sense of independence and that you lead happy lives surrounded by those that you love and care for. Also to my sister Jackie, thank you for sharing the pureness of your heart with me. I dedicate this book to you all.

By three methods we may learn wisdom: first, by reflection, which is noblest; second, by imitation, which is easiest; and third, by experience, which is the bitterest.

Confucius

Contents

Foreword

Preface

Acknowledgements

PART ONE

Theory and research related to self-reflection

Introduction

A definition of self-reflection

The benefits and limitations of self-reflection

The coaching profession’s position regarding self-reflection

The research base relating to self-reflection

What is reflective learning?

Adult learning theory

The linkage with critical reflection

Self-reflection theories and models

Kolb’s experiential learning theory

Gibbs’ reflective cycle/model of reflection

Johns’ model for structured reflection (MSR)

Mezirow’s transformative learning theory

Rolfe’s reflective model

Reflecting in action

Reflective writing

Exploring ways you might avoid self-reflection

Difficult or uncomfortable issues

Lack of self-awareness

My self-reflection journey – sharing my story

Conclusion

PART TWO

Creative approaches to self-reflection

Introduction

Reflective logs

Reflexivity

Notes to take during interview Easterby-Smith (2002, p123)

Taking reflective notes during coaching or supervision sessions – A personal view

Reflective Journals

Reflective blogs

Storytelling

Nine words self-reflection process

Dialogical writing

Case Studies

Reflective Poetry

Reflective drawing

Sand play

Reflective metaphor

Reflective dialogue

Scripts relating to reflective models

Gibbs’ reflective cycle

Johns’ model of structured reflection

Reflection

Mezirow’s transformative learning theory

Rolfe’s reflective model

Ending coaching and supervision relationships – an opportunity for reflection

The use of mindfulness and presence

Mindful Breathing

Relaxation exercises

The importance of presence in coaching and supervision

PART THREE

The role of supervision in supporting self-reflection

Establishing the philosophical principles and purpose of coach supervision

What is coach supervision?

The main elements of coach supervision

The importance of supervision in supporting reflective learning and practice

An inventory of a coach supervisor’s reflective skill requirements

Comparing and contrasting different approaches to coach supervision

The seven-eyed coach supervision model

Seven-eyed model script template

CLEAR model of supervision

Proctor’s model of supervision

The full spectrum supervision model

The relevance of the NLP communication model

Supervision reflexivity

Reflexivity

Notes to take during interview Easterby-Smith (2002, p123)

Example of reflexivity template used in my own supervision

What did I learn from this session?

Reflections since the session

PART FOUR

Your future journey

Your future journey in using self-reflection in your practice

Now think about your experience of reading this book:

Looking to the future

Conclusion

References

Notes

Foreword

You are in for a treat. There are few, if any, texts written about the science and the art of self-reflection. Mark Bisson has produced an important resource for all who aspire to be a professional coach. This book explains well-researched theories and the practice of self-reflection through the lens of a practitioner who has invested hugely in his own development. The reader is privileged to share his learnings, his reflections and his confidences which have resulted in a tried and tested toolkit for application in many reflective situations.

Whether you are a coach, supervisor or trainer, in-house or freelance, you will find much to support your development. This is a book which helps you learn in a practical way whilst providing a solid foundation of well-researched principles on which to base your new knowledge and experiences, if you are new to coaching or have been doing it for some time. You will find ways to stretch your thinking and creativity, and extend your skills. How far you take it is up to you.

The exercises and reflective routines can be used alone or within peer coaching/supervision groups and could even be taken into your coaching sessions to aid clients in this fast-paced world of task orientation – how often do your clients have the luxury of reflection? Do they even know how to do it? Not only are we living in a highly complex and changing world, with the speed of the resulting stressors come increased mental health instabilities and confusion. The practice of self-reflection gives us a reason to pause, to stop and think about our desires for the standard of our professional work and how to align this with our holistic wellbeing, giving us new-found confidence to support our clients and ourselves in our challenges.

We can choose to continually develop our thinking and understanding or to get left behind in the treacherous swamp of stagnation. Mark’s understanding of learning styles makes this as easy as possible for us. If you are an experiential learner, start with the pragmatic Part two and then return to Part one to underpin and consolidate your learning. However, theorists should start with the principles of reflection, covered in Part one, before moving to Part two to test those theories in practice.

Mark generously offers to listen to your stories, your comments and feedback – please take this gift as it is offered. I wish you well with your journey. I know it works because I have seen, experienced and taught it first-hand. Now I invite you to join us in the exciting discoveries of self-reflection.

Dr Sally Vanson

Stiffkey, Norfolk. 2016

Preface

As a new coach beginning to practice at the turn of the millennium I was enthused by the thought of a lifelong learning journey in my chosen profession. I could instantly see the benefit of reflecting on my coaching sessions to support the development of my practice. I took a traditional approach and began to use a reflective log. However, the reality was that what I logged was more of a description of the topics the coachee brought to the session and the models and tools I used. I also noted the actions the coachee had decided to focus on. I am a marker and assessor for the Institute of Leadership and Management (ILM) and I regularly see my initial approach replicated in the coaching portfolios of those undertaking coaching qualifications. My truth was that when I qualified as a coach there was little reference to what best practice was in terms of self-reflection within a focus on developing my coaching practice. Instead, the focus was on learning and trying out models and tools. I developed my approach to self-reflection over many years of reading, researching and academic learning which culminated in an MA in applied coaching.

I found excellent generic books on the topic of self-reflection and specific chapters in coaching books by thought leaders in the profession. However, I could not find any book which specifically focused on guiding coaches and coach supervisors in developing their ability to self-reflect using a variety of creative approaches.

This was the embryonic catalyst for this book. I am known as someone who can turn strategic high-level thinking into practical solutions and I consider myself to be more of a pragmatist than an intellectual. My hope for you as you progress through the book is that you can see a link between the theory relating to reflective learning and the content that aims to provide you with practical guidance, tools and techniques which match a variety of learning styles.

As I began my journey as an author, a publishing company in the United States asked me a question which made me sit back and think about the potential impact of my book on the wider system. The question was What is your vision for the book and how do you hope it will give back to humanity?

My considered response was that I wanted to write a book to support coaches and coach supervisors in developing their ability to self-reflect on their practice and gain new insights regarding themselves and their clients. I also recognised that the topic of the book had the potential for attracting a broader audience for leaders and managers looking to reflect on their leadership approaches. My hope is that the book will enable you to learn more reflectively and become better practitioners in the service of your clients and those you work with.

Acknowledgements

I owe an enormous debt of gratitude to those who have supported me on my journey of writing my first book. Firstly my wife Jackie, with whom I have a wonderful shared personal and professional language. Thank you for your support and belief in me.

My enduring thanks also to Dr Sally Vanson who has been such an inspirational influence on my personal transformational journey. You have supported me on my journey of knowing myself and have been a ‘caring hand on my shoulder’ with invaluable challenge and support. You held a mirror up and encouraged me to break out of my old skin and you challenged me to bring the creative, playful me to my coaching practice and to the new me as an author.

I reached out to a number of colleagues and my LinkedIn network in my search for knowledge from other authors who had been on the tricky journey of being first-time authors. I would particularly like to thank Richard Summerfield, author (Loving Leadership) for his insights and for sharing his learning. I would also like to thank Steve Harding (The Janus Trilogy) for sharing his experience of self-publishing.

A number of friends and colleagues offered to read my draft manuscript and I would particularly like to thank Dr Daniel Marshall for giving so freely of his time and for the valuable input and feedback.

Having an encouraging and supportive family has also been key in keeping me motivated during the inevitable difficult moments. Thank you for listening to me and for keeping any doubts you may have had about me having what it takes to be an author to yourselves!

I also want to thank Justin Sachs for contacting me with a request for a book proposition. Your email lit my fire as an author. You also provided a high-quality online book writing course which I learnt so much from.

Thank you also to my colleagues at Marbral Advisory for your support and particularly to Jo Buchanan for your advice regarding the technical elements of publishing and marketing my book. I also owe a debt of gratitude to Kelley at the Kingston Coaching group who helped reignite my energy when I had become bogged down in the publishing process.

I wrote these acknowledgements in a coffee shop in St Helier on the island of Jersey in the Channel Islands after being fogged in overnight following a business meeting. I want to thank Jersey and the people