The simple things in life

Though I’ve only been a qualified coach for a short while, I have used coaching techniques at work for many years. One area they’ve been particularly helpful is in running effective meetings, meetings where everyone is included and leaves the room feeling listened to and motivated. This is because coaching gives people time and space to really think – the majority of meetings don’t do this because the voices that usually get heard are those of the high Es and the people who shoot from the hip, and say the first thing that comes to them. Most meetings exclude people who need a bit more time to consider and process, let alone to develop new ideas.

Nancy Kline came up with the concept of a Thinking Environment back in the ‘80s and it’s as pertinent today as it was new then. In essence, it’s about asking everyone to say what is going well in their work or in the group’s work and then giving everyone a turn to speak on the topic in hand. At the end, everyone is expected to say what they think went well in the meeting.

Its success is partly in its simplicity, ensuring that the group’s whole attention is on one participant at a time while they make their contribution, in its nurturing of mutual respect and in its wholly positive tone. Everyone in the room has something to offer, regardless of their level, length of tenure, academic qualifications or how ready and able they are to speak up. On which, even the most timid among us feels able to speak and have our say when this calm, respectful tone has been set, when attention comes round to us and no one is allowed to interrupt.

Using the idea of a Thinking Environment can produce rich meetings with a great set of diverse and considered results. There are so many ideas in coaching that can improve the way we do things in the workplace. Try this one and let me know how it goes!