Visual coaching is an approach that combines coaching principles with visual tools and techniques to support individuals or groups in their personal and professional development. It leverages elements such as drawings, diagrams, mind maps, and other visual aids to enhance the coaching process and facilitate communication, understanding, and reflection.
Visual coaching recognises the power of visuals in stimulating creativity, improving clarity, and promoting insight. It allows coaches and clients to go beyond verbal dialogue and tap into the visual thinking and processing abilities of the brain. By incorporating visuals, visual coaching aims to make abstract concepts more tangible, complex ideas more accessible, and goals and strategies more visible.
Why adopt a visual coaching method?
This type of coaching can be particularly hlpful for individuals who are visual learners or who find it challenging to express themselves solely through words. It can provide a different perspective, spark creativity, and unlock new insights and possibilities. It is often used in personal coaching, executive coaching, career coaching, and team coaching to foster self-awareness, goal setting, problem-solving, and action planning.
In a visual coaching session, a coach may use visual tools to help clients explore their thoughts, emotions, and goals. They may ask clients to draw or sketch their ideas, create mind maps to organise their thoughts, or use metaphors and symbols to represent their experiences. The artefacts created during the coaching process serve as visual reminders, reflections, and references for clients to refer back to and deepen their learning.
What software is available to support you?
There are several software options available, depending on your specific needs and preferences. Here are a few popular choices:
- Miro: Miro is a collaborative online whiteboard platform that allows you to create visual representations, mind maps, diagrams, and more. It offers real-time collaboration features, making it suitable for remote sessions.
- Sketchboard: Sketchboard is another online collaborative whiteboard tool designed specifically for visual thinking, coaching, and agile collaboration. It provides a range of drawing and diagramming tools to help you visualize ideas and concepts.
- Lucidchart: Lucidchart is a web-based diagramming software that allows you to create flowcharts, mind maps, org charts, and other visual representations. It offers a user-friendly interface and collaboration features for remote coaching sessions.
- Microsoft Whiteboard: Microsoft Whiteboard is a digital canvas available as part of Microsoft 365. It allows you to create and share drawings, sketches, and notes in real-time. It can be useful when working with clients who already use Microsoft’s productivity suite.
- Zoom: While primarily known as a video conferencing tool, Zoom also offers a virtual whiteboard feature. You can use Zoom’s whiteboard functionality to draw diagrams, annotate documents, and collaborate visually during coaching sessions.
- Adobe Creative Cloud: If you require more advanced visual capabilities, Adobe Creative Cloud tools like Adobe Illustrator or Adobe Photoshop can be used for creating detailed visual materials or enhancing existing visuals.
Remember to choose a software that aligns with your coaching needs, supports collaboration if necessary, and is user-friendly for both you and your clients. It’s often helpful to experiment with different options to find the one that suits you best.