Opening to unknowing

By Martin Vogel

Question

Further to my recent posts on applying the orientation of unknowing to coaching, I am opening a new group for experienced coaches to explore this in relation to their own practice.

Unknowing is the practice of letting go of what we think we know, opening to freshness and holding ideas lightly. In these turbulent and unsettling times, leaders need time and space to hold their uncertainty away from the pressure to collude with easy answers. Coaches too can be subject to this pressure. In order to support our clients to accept their not knowing, this space will explore what it is to reside in unknowing – adopting approaches that invite it in rather than resist it.

This is a space for peer-to-peer reflection, drawing on the insights and ideas of everyone in the group. Rather than a tightly held supervisory space, we will approach it as a jointly created process of action research.

Part of unknowing is about disrupting institutionalised ways of being and encouraging diversity in how we think and approach things. So we will complement logical, analytical thinking with practices that tap into our creativity and imagination. For more about how I construe unknowing and the ways in which we might approach it, please refer to my recent post: Notes towards practising unknowing in coaching .

The group is open to three participants and will meet monthly from 14:00 to 17:00 (London time) on dates to be agreed. I am looking for participants who will commit to six meetings, in the first instance, though I am open to extending the group beyond that period if the appetite is there. We will meet using Zoom. But, if the composition of the group allows us to gather in person, this will be offered as a possibility on occasions.

Once dates are agreed, it is assumed that everyone will attend each session. Participants will hold responsibility for rescheduling any group meeting which they cannot attend.

Fees will be payable in advance of the commencement of the programme, at a rate you consider appropriate. For guidance I suggest:

  • You take into account the maximum and minimum fees which you charge your own clients and the frequency with which you work at these rates.
  • You may also like to consider what fee you would expect to earn for delivering a programme of a similar scale and nature to this supervision group.
  • You keep in mind that VAT is payable on whatever fee is agreed.
  • You should not feel inhibited from participating if your financial circumstances are constrained. Pay what you can reasonably afford.

Please get in touch with expressions of interest or any queries: unknowing@vogelwakefield.com.

Image courtesy Emily Morter.

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