Is Nature-based coaching sexy?

We all want to do work that is new and shiny, work that arouses interest, work we are drawn to. We desire the hot project or product. The sexy work.

The thought of walking in nature arouses feelings of freedom, excitement, Awe.

Then we realize the work we are asked to do on a Nature-based coaching walk-and-talk is hard. It is deep work, challenging work, purposeful work.

Nature-based coaching sexy

Nature-based coaching takes the client (executive, leader, team, individual, etc.) out of the confines of the office and into nature. On the path the client, coach, and nature co-create an experience of substantive change.

Contrary to what some believe, Nature-based coaching is not a bunch of touchy feely exercises. My clients do more deep work, including discovery and skill building to activate potential, than they would in a traditional setting. However, My Nature-based clients claim the impact of our Nature-based coaching is exponentially more powerful. 

Now that is sexy!

#leadership #selfawareness #midlife #natureconnection 

Did they get Attention Restoration Theory backwards?

There has always been something that troubled me about Kaplan's Attention Restoration Theory (ART).

Today, listening to a podcast with Anna-Marie Watson. I had a slight epiphany.

What if?

What if the Kaplans were wrong about Attention Restoration Theory?

The concept of ART centers on what happens when we we spend time in nature and the impact to our attention when we return to a “normal” indoor environment.

What if?

What if they got the theory backwards?

What if, when we go out in nature, that is our brains normal environment. In our normal environment (nature) our brain is acting in a normal, what the Kaplans refer to as, restored state. 

When we return to the indoors that restored state persists only temporarily. Over time we slowly digress back to what we have come to believe is a normal state - a regressive non attentive state.

This is the problem. We are leaving the normal world of nature returning to the false comfort and confinement of the indoors. It is not being outside that return our attention to normal. Being outside is normal. It is being inside that deadens our senses and accordingly our ability to hold attention.

What is backwards about ART is going into nature is not restoring, it is returning. It is Leaving nature that desensitizes us.

When we are outside long enough, the unexpected is normal, and our attention is in a normal state.

Not all who are lost wander.

Poets, philosophers, mystics 

tell of a  time, usually in midlife, when we face not knowing.

A time when we seek meaning and purpose from uncertainty. Not sure what to do or where to head,

When there is no clear path forward.  A calling we cannot hear.

Because the way is difficult many will remain lost. 

The brave, the curious, will wander.

This is not the ego driven hero’s journey,

but he unique journey on the path to meeting our true self.

Cloud Visualization

I typed “cloud visualization” in my search bar, hit enter, and was dismayed. Entry after entry was for computing and IT networking services.

Why was the first entry not about lying in the grass, staring at the sky, and finding images in the drifting clouds? Does anyone still teach children to look up at the sky, to daydream, to create with imagination, to wonder?

Has our connection to "the cloud" removed any desire to watch the clouds?

Pareidolia:

a normal neuroperceptual phenomenon of seeing faces or pattern in everyday objects. Our brain wiring has a bias for seeing faces in random patterns, followed by the shapes of things (usually animals) which we are familiar. 

As a coaching invitation looking at clouds letting the client create a story around what they see and their experience can provide a window into their narrative perception. The imagery and narrative can be rich material for exploration on the coaching journey.

The mythic call

Answering the calling (The mythic call)

What brings the client (and the coach for that matter) to Nature-based coaching?

There are some who have a predisposition towards nature. Ironically these can be some of the more difficult clients as they have a preconception of what they should experience.

The client who seeks out Nature-based coaching has often had a disturbance in their ordinary life. Perhaps an echo of a once refused call has returned to call again. A new realization can act as a calling. Cognitive dissonance or questioning of beliefs leading to pulling back the veil revealing the void, or a sudden awareness of the shadow life has cast. Campbell's call to adventure can originate from an external event or an internal awakening. Often this client is not clear about their agenda, but knows the journey lies ahead.

Answering the call

“The achievement of the hero is one that he is ready for and it's really a manifestation of his character. It's amusing the way in which the landscape and conditions of the environment match the readiness of the hero. The adventure that he is ready for is the one that he gets.“ ~ Joseph Campbell, The Power of Myth

Regardless of what lead the client to seek out Nature-based coaching, they are answering the call and preparing to take the first step of the awaiting journey.

Pace as a tool on coaching walk-and-talks

Pace -

Speed of walking

The average walking speed on level ground is between 2.8 - 3.2 mph. Stated as 3mph. What if you intentionally altered the pace of walking, using pace as a coaching tool to elicit discovery? 

“The association between personality traits and walking speed among middle-aged and older adults suggest that how fast an individual walks can be considered an expression or a motor signature of personality.” ~ Yannick, et.all (DOI: 10.1177/1948550617725152)

When hiking for pleasure I tend toward the average walking speed, maybe just a bit on the slower side as I have short legs. When hiking on steep mountain terrain at high altitudes, my average pace slows to just over 1 mph. Walking the dog creekside along the greenbelt my average speed is a much faster brisk walking. On Nature-based walk-and-talks my default pace tends toward strolling. I am aware this is my preference and I consciously observe pace to maximize the impacts of walking and the nature of the conversation. I will intentionally match my speed to the client, mirroring pace and I will consciously break stride as a tool to shift the experience. 

What happens when you introduce an erratic cadence? When you speed up or slow down outside of the pace you are comfortable? 

It is possible to use pace to inject cognitive dissonance into the moment as a tool for growth. Pace can enforce or contrast an emotional state. Nature is keen to provide opportunities to practice varying pace on you walk.  An incline may naturally slow us down. Just as we might speed up on a downhill section of trail. But what if we intentionally exert ourself on the uphill slope, or take baby steps while descending? Let deep listening be your guide and don’t be afraid to experiment. 

“With each step the earth heals us, and with each step we heal the earth.”

~ Thich Nhat Hanh

When to stroll (<2 MPH / > 30 min per. mile)*

Slowing down our pace to a stroll facilitates contemplation and reflection. We can choose to become more aware of our surroundings and/or we can go deep into our thoughts. Strolling is a way to be mindfully aware. I will intentionally slow down, or even come to a stop, to draw attention or ask a client to go deeper. 

Walk  (3 MPH / 20 min per. mile)*

Our default speed of walking is where we will spend most of our journey. It is a speed that is comfortable and still allows for robust conversation. Our eyes tend to focus on what is just ahead and periodically take in a wider view to keep us orientated and aware of our changing environment. Waling at this comfortable pace is semi-autonomous and can be used as a trance-like state to tap the pre-conscious mind. Talk the walk to find a comfortable pace.

Fast/ Brisk (>3.5 MPH / <17 min per. mile)*

A brisk pace is still walking. Talking is still taking place, but we are noticeably moving faster.

When we walk, the cost of transport forms a U-shaped curve. The transition point, where humans switch from walking to running, occurs, on average, at around 7 km/h [4.5 mph]. At that point, running becomes more economical than walking. ~ Jussi Peltonen

A brisk pace can help quickly find clarity as thinking speeds up with pace. If a client has multiple priorities or topics, I will pick up the pace as we clear a path to find what is really important. 

A fast pace can heighten awareness and it can also sooth hyperarousal symptoms. 

*  https://uhs.berkeley.edu/sites/default/files/wellness-walking101handout.pdf

External constraints

Using pace as a tool is an intentional act of the Nature-based coach. Just as important we must also be aware of conditions that will influence walking speed and the impact these conditions will have on the coaching session. Is there a time constraint that will dictate pace? Physical condition / ability of client and coach can influence pace. A change in weather or trail conditions will factor into pace. Theses are Natures gifts to the coaching experience.

The Nature-based coach adjusts to external constraints and will leverage the opportunity presented.

Unpredictable Outcomes

Nature-based coaching works with the same topics brought to a traditional coaching session. 

A leader may come to develop confidence, delegation, strategic thinking, etc. A team may need to focus on communication and teamwork. Are you looking for ways to manage stress? Maybe finding purpose or direction is the topic at hand. Yes, the topic brought is the entry point. Nature-based coaching works with what the client brings to the coaching session.

Where Nature-based coaching differs is not the topic but the outcomes. And those outcomes are unpredictable. 

The unpredictable Outcomes of Nature-based coaching:

  • The destination is the journey within

  • To exit the wilderness back into a world that too has changed

  • Change your relationship with yourself and your world

  • Let go of outcomes, let outcomes emerge

Coaching vs. Nature-based coaching

A Thought to reconcile

Coaching, although future focused, is inherently about the present moment which is built on past experience. A holistic approach incorporates past, present, and future. Nature-based coaching is a holistic modality with an emphasis on moving between moments. In addition to considering the entire perspective of tense- past, present, future - it also simultaneously looks inward (self-reflection) and outward (expansive contemplation). This approach expands beyond most coaching philosophies and concerns itself with the relational aspect of the coaching experience over the transactional aspect of what the coach provides to the client.

What is Nature-based coaching?

I have been asked several times recently,

“What is Nature-based coaching?”

Ask 10 different nature coaches and you’ll get 100 different questions. 

SHORT ANSWER:

Nature-based leadership coaching takes the client (executive/leader) out of the confines of the office and into nature where the client, coach, and nature co-create the coaching experience.

LONGER ANSWER:

Nature based coaching is more than coaching a client in a natural setting.

Nature-based coaching is a systemic coaching modality where the client, coach, and nature co-create the coaching experience. The beneficial impacts of coaching are compounded with the health benefits of walking in nature. This combination allows for both a deeper and broader exploration of the client’s agenda. 
Nature-based coaching finds the sweet spot between the contemplative practice of Forest Bathing and the adrenalin fueled experience of Wilderness/Adventure therapy.

A nature-based coach pulls from many disciplines and is tool agnostic. I tell my clients “I let nature become the coach and I take on the role of the accompagnateur - one who walks with.”

Where as an anthropocentric coach sees nature as a resource to use, letting nature coach requires an ecocentric mindset. 

Contrary to what some believe, Nature-based coaching is not a bunch of touchy feely exercises. My leadership clients do the same (if not more) hard work, of discovery and skill building to achieve their potential, as you would expect from a traditional setting. However, they claim the impacts of Nature-based coaching are exponentially more powerful.

This webpage provides a view into one of my Nature-based programs www.lennienoiles.com/nature-of-leadership

I work with individual leaders and leadership teams grappling with the hard questions. And I am always willing to talk about the process and the work I do.

the Innate Wisdom of Nature

the Innate Wisdom of Nature

Leadership, Awe, and Perspective

I invite you to join in this visualization exercise.

Imagine you are sitting at the edge of a mountain lake.

Suddenly an eagle swoops down, grabs a fish from the water, and flies off into the forest.

What are you feeling?


Most people answer with some version of awe, a sense of being connected to something larger than self.

Now shift your perspective; what does the eagle feel?

And what about the fish?


How does holding multiple perspectives inform your role as a leader?


Thanks for playing.

I work with leaders who want to create a better world.

The Nature of Leadership - A journey to resilience.

new perspectives.jpg

#leadership #resiliency #leadershipdevelopment #selfawareness #stressmanagement #executivecoaching #leadershipcoaching

Returning into a changed world

exit the wilderness.jpg

Leaders shape the systems they lead.

Stepping outside of the system provides a new perspective of the system and the relationships to other systems.

Coaching while walking in nature provides a wealth of metaphors to inform the leadership journey. 

With a little social distancing precaution,

Nature of Leadership individual and small group walk and talks are back for 2021.

The Nature of Leadership - A journey to resilience.

https://goo.gl/LEWUhV

#leadership #resiliency #leadershipdevelopment #selfawareness #stressmanagement #executivecoaching #leadershipcoaching #conflictmanagement #delegation #teamcoaching #teamdevelopment 

Looking at Trees

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"How will looking at a tree help me become a better Leader?"

When leaders tell me they have heard of Shinrin-yoku, Forest Bathing, or Forest Therapy and they don’t see any practical value in looking at trees, I ask if they want to see value and I offer to guide them on this short exercise.

(This works best if you are in an area where trees are visible; even better if you can physically be in the trees. However, if you can’t be physical present with the trees this exercise can be done via the imagination.)

Invite them to:

  • Scan the trees with a sense of curiosity then choose a tree to focus on.
  • Spend a moment observing your tree (1 - 2 minutes).

Give adequate time to explore the following questions:

  • Tell me about your tree? Why this tree, or what is significant about this tree?
  • What else about your tree?

When you observed your tree:

  • Did you see it as an individual tree?
  • Did you see it as unique?
  • Did you see it as a living system with roots, and capillaries to move water, and leaves to breath air and capture sunlight?
  • Did you see your tree as part of a larger system, interconnected with the surrounding biome?

After a pause to let any discovery emerge:

  • Anything more about your tree?
  • Is there any wisdom your tree has to share with you?

Coming back to your initial inquiry, How do your observations about the way you saw this tree inform you about you as a leader and how you view and lead others?

Anything else?

One last question (asked rhetorically) I’m curious, Did you choose this tree, or did this tree choose you?

- why I coach

The Nature of Leadership