The importance of NOT knowing in coaching

Throughout early schooling, we are taught that it is good to know something. Yet, in coaching, the reverse is true. 

 

A state of not knowing and willingness to not know or be “wrong” is in fact fundamental in the process of reflection. A clients’ sense of knowing impacts upon the depth to which they engage in reflection. The more they think they know, the less they will reflect, and conversely, the less they think they know, the more deeply they will reflect. 

 

Thus, being in a state of not-knowing is a key factor in readiness for coaching.  Clients who are aware of how little they feel they know, engage in significantly deeper reflective processes and this amplifies the coaching process. In contrast, clients who feel they already know what to do, are less likely to engage in the deep kind of reflection that characterises really transformative coaching, and may be more difficult to coach. 

 

 

Reference:

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.

 

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