Coaching and Trampolining - more similar than you think!

Health Coaching Top Tips Series

Coaching & Trampolining - more similar than you think!

-Dr Tim Williams

This metaphor for coaching has come up a couple of times in supervision recently, so I thought I'd talk about it here, in case it's helpful for you too!

Our clients need different things from us, as coaches, and it reminded me of a trampoline, like the one in the picture.  Sometimes people need us to provide a safety-net, where they can explore what matters most, or share past trauma in a safe environment.  

Others will need our support, so they don't hit the ground, when they take their first tentative steps.  We may also encounter people who want to use the sessions as a spring board to a new 'more healthy' future.  We need to be all of these things in our health coaching roles and sometimes provide all of these elements through a coaching relationship - and sometimes all in one session!

So, take some time ahead of your next session to consider, what might you need to provide - a safety-net, support or a spring-board and also, be flexible enough to adapt to what is needed, in that moment.

I was also reflecting on my own experience of jumping on a trampoline with one of my children - with my own jumping causing them to go higher than they were ready for, driven by my own desire to 'help'...and a resultant trip to A&E.  

So, however much we might be keen to 'jump in', perhaps we should keep our boundary and coach from the sidelines and provide what is most needed from there!

What do you think of this 'top tip'?  Have your say about this and/or share your own here.