Silence in coaching

Abstract

This chapter explores the role of silence in coaching and explicitly the role of silence in executive coaching. It draws from a broad range of human activities, including music, computer sciences and theatre, before looks at those experiencing coaching or learning how to coach and their views of silence within their practice. The chapter encourages coaches of all persuasions to work with silence in a much more incisive and deliberate manner. It argues that silence itself is an act of communication, although it may spell reflectiveness or, in a more negative sense, withholding or not communicating. Literature, art and science understand silence in different ways and their reflections on silence are helpful before reviewing silence in the field of coaching. A review of the role of silence in coaching and other leadership development topics reveals a patchy and sometimes disinterested passing interest in the topic, but one that can be related to the traps and challenges involved in coaching practice.

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