By Natalie Irons, Associate Director, Instructional Coaching Programs
Coaching Partnerships Blog
I am getting ready for a few trips in the next month which, for me, requires a bit of preparation beyond the typical packing check list. I need to prepare myself for the potential (even with Pre-Check) that TSA will do additional screening of me or my belongings. Just the possibility of being pulled aside generally has my heart racing. I am aware that these body signals have an origin story, and over the years I am still learning about what messages have been encoded in my body from the past, as Bessel van der Kolk has captured from neuroscience in his book The Body Keeps the Score.
So, what might this awareness of environmental triggers, or activators, have to do with coaching? Recently I met with a group of coaches and facilitators in both education and healthcare settings to delve into the concept of interoception as it relates to silence in coaching interactions. Interoception is the ability to be aware of our internal bodily states particularly with autonomic nervous system responses; in other words, to know what we are feeling on the inside. Research states, “Evidence exists that interoceptive sensory processing plays a crucial role in higher-level cognitive functions, attention, memory, and the experience of self and time.” Also, having the awareness of our internal states correlates with the capacity for empathy and compassion. These findings suggest that when coaches value and allow for silence, or wait time, they can truly listen to their inner self, so that they can better listen others.
When I am in the security line at the airport, I give myself a chance to check in with my body – I often utilize a practice shared with me by a nurse to put my hand over my heart, tap lightly and take a deep breathe to calm my nervous system. I have heard colleagues utilize other practices like placing their feet firmly on the ground when they notice their nervous system is activated. When you take time, you might find that others take time to quiet their body and mind. It’s a reciprocal act of presence. And sometimes taking time in the moment, saves time later on.
What might you notice in your bodily responses at different times or environments in your work? What practices might support you to be present and mindful as a coach?