Micro coaching is a contemporary approach to coaching that leverages brief, focused interactions to drive behavioural changes. One way to easily undertake a micro coaching session is to use the Neuro Nudges coaching cards. The cards combine coaching questions, behavioural nudges, and neuro-insights to facilitate impactful coaching sessions.
A micro session is usually a 15-20 minute session, which can be easily structured around one or two of the Neuro Nudges coaching cards.
Coaching Question
As an example, the coaching question "What is a strength that you often overlook?" serves as a powerful starting point for self-reflection and personal growth. This question encourages clients to explore their positive attributes that may be underappreciated or underutilised in their daily lives. This could be asked as a way to address a challenge or problem, or as a way to amplify success.
Behavioural Nudges
Behavioural nudges are subtle prompts that guide individuals towards desired behaviours without restricting their freedom of choice. The Neuro Nudges coaching cards incorporate these nudges to help clients make better decisions. In this micro coaching session, the nudge may be "ask close friends and colleagues what they consider your strengths". This nudge leverages the power of social feedback, as others often recognise our strengths more readily than we do ourselves. By seeking input from trusted individuals, clients can gain new insights into their capabilities and potentially uncover hidden talent.
Neuro-Insight
Understanding the neuroscience behind behaviour can significantly enhance the effectiveness of coaching. Neuro Nudges coaching cards are designed with insights from neuroscience to optimise coaching outcomes. The neuro-insight "character strengths are positive traits, reflected in thoughts, feelings, and behaviours. Identifying your strengths leads to enhanced wellbeing and lessens psychological distress" underscores the importance of this exercise. This insight is grounded in research, which has shown that identifying and developing strengths leads to enhanced wellbeing and lessens psychological distress.
A resource to consider
When discussing character strengths, it's important to consider the VIA (Values in Action) Golden Mean concept. This principle suggests that character strengths are most effective when expressed in balance, rather than in excess or deficiency. For example, courage is a virtue when balanced between cowardice and recklessness. Encouraging clients to reflect on how they can apply their strengths in a balanced manner can lead to more effective and sustainable personal growth.
In conclusion
Micro coaching using Neuro Nudges coaching cards is a powerful method for facilitating personal and professional growth. By combining thought-provoking questions, strategic behavioural nudges, and insights from neuroscience, these cards provide a comprehensive toolkit for coaches. This approach not only helps clients identify and implement small, actionable changes but also leverages the brain's natural ability to adapt and grow, leading to sustained behavioural improvements.
By combining the coaching question, behavioural nudge, and neuro-insight, clients are empowered to:
- Reflect on their often-overlooked strengths
- Gain external perspectives on their positive traits
- Understand the neurological benefits of strength identification
- Apply their strengths in a balanced way using the VIA Golden Mean concept
This comprehensive approach to strength identification and utilisation can lead to increased self-awareness, improved well-being, and more effective personal and professional development.