Making choices in coaching
Making choices is an important process in the process of coaching. It is a component of taking responsibility and leads to clients fully integrating their learning into their sense of self. The process of making choices is one in which clients recognise different possibilities and decide upon one and take action. This typically occurrs when one dimension of self-knowledge is compromising another dimension of self-knowledge and requires a choice. In making a choice, they integrate their new self awareness, and let go of the old.
Decision making is part of the entire coaching process. Clients make an initial decision to take on coaching. In addition, they typically determine the outcomes of coaching, the focus and outcomes of coaching sessions and also the action which they take between sessions. Thus, the process of coaching and the learning which emerges from it influences the direction of the coaching and their emerging self-awareness leads them in their choices and decision-making. This is characteristic of authentic learning, whereby learners engage in learning meaningfully and make decisions and choices that have real world relevance and impact (Callison & Lamb, 2004; Gatlin & Edwards, 2007; Herrington & Herrington, 2006; Renzulli et al., 2004; Rule, 2006).
Reference:
Callison, D., & Lamb, A. (2004). Authentic learning. School Library Media Activities Monthly, 21(4), 34-39.
Gatlin, L., & Edwards, R. (2007). Promoting authentic learning through a peaceful and positive perspective. Journal of Authentic Learning, 4(1), 1-8.
Griffiths, K. (2008). Discovering, applying and integrating self-knowledge: A grounded theory study of learning in life coaching (Ph.D). Centre for Learning Innovation, Queensland University of Technology.
Herrington, A., & Herrington, J. (2006). What is an authentic learning environment? In A. Herrington & J. Herrington (Eds.), Authentic learning environments in higher education. Hershey: Information Science Publishing.
Renzulli, J. S., Gentry, M., & Reis, S. M. (2004). A time and a place for authentic learning. Educational Leadership, 62(1), 73-77.
Rule, A. C. (2006). Promoting authentic learning through a peaceful and positive perspective. Journal of Authentic Learning, 3(1), 1-10.