{"id":3963,"date":"2022-09-18T18:37:13","date_gmt":"2022-09-18T18:37:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/coachingoutsidethebox.net\/staging\/?p=3963"},"modified":"2025-01-13T15:05:54","modified_gmt":"2025-01-13T15:05:54","slug":"reflective-inquiry-coaching","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/coachingoutsidethebox.net\/staging\/reflective-inquiry-coaching\/","title":{"rendered":"Reflective Inquiry in Coaching"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
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How to Coach Successfully Using Reflective Inquiry: Examples, Questions and Levels of Inquiry<\/h2>

By Karen L. Bruns<\/p>

Throughout history, reflective inquiry has made a few different appearances; in education, learning, and coaching.\u00a0 In the context of coaching, ICF, the International Coaching Federation tells us reflective inquiry is \u201cwhen the coach enables the client to think about their situation in a deeper way, see things in a new light and possibly develop new perspectives\u201d. This concept is paramount in successful coaching.\u00a0 In this article, we will outline what is reflective inquiry, examples of how to use it in coaching, and what types of questions to ask will be explored.<\/h4>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Reflective Inquiry: Definition<\/h2>

Let\u2019s dig into the definition of reflective inquiry<\/strong> from the perspective of a dictionary.\u00a0 Reflective inquiry is made up of two words.\u00a0 Let\u2019s explore these 2 words separately.\u00a0 Macmillan Dictionary<\/a> defines reflective<\/strong> in a few ways:<\/p>

  1. \u201cShowing a tendency to serious and careful thought\u201d<\/li>
  2. \u201cShowing that something exists, or showing what something is like\u201d<\/li><\/ol>

    Macmillan Dictionary defines inquiry<\/strong> as:<\/p>

    1. \u201cA question intended to get information about someone or something\u201d<\/li><\/ol>

      These definitions seem to be telling us that reflective inquiry is serious and careful thought about a question posed by the thinking partner<\/strong> (the coach) that is intended to get information about someone or something the client brings.\u00a0<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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      Origin<\/h2>

      So where did reflective inquiry begin?\u00a0 The practice of reflective inquiry was first mentioned in 1910 by Psychologist & Educational Reformer, John Dewey<\/strong> in his book, How We Think<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>

      Reflective inquiry makes appearances in education, learning, and coaching.\u00a0 Let\u2019s explore this a bit, shall we?\u00a0 With regards to learning<\/strong>, Dewey contended that reflective practice refers to \u201cthe active, persistent and careful consideration of any belief or supposed form of knowledge in the light of the grounds that support it.\u201d\u00a0 Reflective inquiry it would seem is a way of reflecting through asking questions<\/strong>, powerful questions.\u00a0 Dewey is quoted as saying, \u201cWe don\u2019t learn from experience, we learn from reflecting on experience.\u201d\u00a0 There are a number of different references that talk about 5 steps<\/strong> to John Dewey\u2019s concept of reflective inquiry. References argue about the exact wording, so I\u2019d like to stick with Dewey\u2019s intention by quoting him:\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>

      1. A felt difficulty (the perplexity or problem)<\/li>
      2. Its location and definition<\/li>
      3. Suggestion of possible solution<\/li>
      4. Development by reasoning of the bearings of the suggestion<\/li>
      5. Further observation and experiment leading to its acceptance or rejection.<\/li><\/ol>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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        \n\t\t\t\t\t\tFast-track your journey to becoming an ICF certified coach with our support every step of the way!\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
        \n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\tLearn more\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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        Reflective Inquiry in Coaching<\/h2>

        In reflective inquiry coaching<\/strong>, we focus on the someone (our client) not the something (the problem).\u00a0 There is great power for the client when we reflect back what we see and sense in response to what they bring for discussion. Let\u2019s look at reflective inquiry through the lens of coaching. The goal<\/strong> of reflective inquiry in coaching is a deepening of presence and connection<\/strong> and its objective is for the inquiry to serve as a sort of replay where the client can see themselves<\/strong>, their situation, their dilemma from a distance<\/strong>.\u00a0 In his book, How We Think<\/a>, Dewey wrote that \u201creflective inquiry enables people to climb a tree in their mind\u201d where they have clearer vision to make better decisions <\/strong>about what to do next.\u00a0 It can help them learn, identify what\u2019s in their way, see patterns of behavior that are both healthy and unhealthy.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>

        Marcia Reynolds\u2019 book, \u201cCoach the Person, Not the Problem: A Guide to Using Reflective Inquiry<\/a>\u201d brings reflective inquiry into coaching as a tool that works on coaching presence<\/a><\/strong> towards mastery.\u00a0<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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        She has identified 5 essential practices<\/strong> and 3 mental habits<\/strong> for the coach to deepen presence and connection.\u00a0 The 5 essential practices align so closely to the arc of coaching that they are a perfect blend of what\u2019s needed.\u00a0 They are:<\/p>