Research Paper: Intuition and Coaching: How Coaches Access their Intuition to Strengthen the Coaching Process

Research Paper By Edda Jonsdottir
(Professional Training Coach, ICELAND)

The only real valuable thing is intuition. Albert Einstein

Abstract

Intuition is an essential element to coaching. Accessing the intuition and being able to trust it, are among the core competencies a coach needs to have according to the International Coach Federation standards.

It is a finding of a survey conducted among coaches as a basis for this paper, that by defining and visualizing the intuition, accessing it becomes easier. Coaches use methods to become centralized in order to connect with their intuition. This strengthens the coaching process and makes a difference in what a coach brings to the table. Furthermore, listening for the messages the client is getting from his intuition is important to strengthen the coaching process.

Introduction

Accessing the intuition and trusting one’s inner knowing is one of the International Coach Federation Core Competencies.

4.2. Accesses own intuition and trusts one’s inner knowing – “goes with the gut”.

1. It is important for coaches to be able to access their intuition to be competent as coaches. But how do coaches access their own intuition?
2. How can they trust their inner knowing to be able to “go with the gut”? What is the role of intuition in the coaching process?

The aim of this research paper is to reflect on these questions and to search for answers about the use of intuition in coaching.