The Power of the Coaching Circle

Here at Fractal, we believe in the extraordinary transformative process of coaching individuals. So, what then, is the advantage of participating in a coaching circle? 

Imagine being listened to deeply by 4 other people, all of them focused on you and your challenge. This is what happens in a coaching circle. Every person in the group has one whole session to work on a challenge they are currently grappling with.

This circle is an intimate space. The role of the facilitators is to manage the boundaries and keep it safe for everyone. We do this by using a simple, well thought out framework, and by formally engaging the commitments of participants to each other and to the ethics of the process. In this safe circle, others listen to us and support us with thoughtfulness and authenticity. The generative nature of discussions in the group naturally help expand our thinking and imagine solutions beyond what we ourselves can see. 

The intimate and transformative space of the coaching circle also helps us gain access to both our individual and collective courage to act. Together we are more able to create the momentum each of us needs. 

 Perhaps most importantly, a coaching circle allows us to practice how to support each other and be supported by others, how to listen deeply and without judgment, and how to respond from the truest and best parts of ourselves.

The poem below was posted in the chat during one of our workshops. It spoke to us deeply, and was part of what moved us to create coaching circles.

I needed to see you today

               Thank you.

               I needed to see you today.

               I didn't know it until we were done;

               But I knew immediately we were,

               That it was you that was needed in my life right then.

               I needed to see you today.

               To be refreshed by your unique presence,

               To fulfil something that, until I saw you,

               I hadn't even dreamed was required.

               I needed to see you today.

               To soak in your love which,

               Although you might never have realised you were doing it,

               Was as clear as daylight in your pleasure in seeing me.

               I needed to see you today.

               To have you ask me for something of me

               Which I didn't even know was valuable

               Until you asked for it, so openly.

               I needed to see you today.

               To heal an uncertainty, contain a doubt

               To nurture my soul as it struggled

               With a shadow I had yet to really face.

               I needed to see you today.

               To support my courage AND

               To help me put the world into perspective,

               While I renew my own commitment to my purpose.

               I needed to see you today.

               To restore my sense of deep gratitude

               To refresh my belief in the wonderfulness of our world,

               In which you and your kind prevail.

               I needed to see YOU today.

               To behold your magical being

               To listen to your wonderful voice

               To be embraced by your utter decency.

               I needed to see you today.

               Thank you.