Coaching for Flow
This week we are looking at Mihály Csíkszentmihályi’s theory of Flow, and how it applies to the coaching context. First, see these two videos for a brief primer on Flow
As with all of the theories and resources we reference throughout the training, I would recommend that you pick up the book as well to learn more. Flow: The Psychology of Optimal Experience.
We can apply the theory of Flow to the work of coaching in two main ways:
- Exploring our client’s work (or particular task) with a focus on optimal experience.
- Supporting our client’s experience within the coaching space to make sure it is as close to an optimal experience as we can make it.
- Keep in mind that being in a constant state of flow is not what a coach advocates for through this exploration. Instead, the coach is posing flow as a lens through which we can look at the clients experience. Then we explore what the client learns about their current state of flow and what they might like to see change.