Keeping our heads above water: applying Kegan’s ‘orders of consciousness’ theory in coaching

This article proposes that an understanding of Kegan’s ‘orders of consciousness’ theory can help executive coaches particularly when working with clients during periods of organisational change. The proposition is illustrated by examples from the field, indicating that the coach can create an enviro...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Author: Eva Pinkavova
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Oxford Brookes University 2010-02-01
Series:International Journal of Evidence Based Coaching and Mentoring
Subjects:
Online Access:https://radar.brookes.ac.uk/radar/file/51807a0e-d49d-4992-a276-668b18327251/1/vol08issue1-reflections-02.pdf
Description
Summary:This article proposes that an understanding of Kegan’s ‘orders of consciousness’ theory can help executive coaches particularly when working with clients during periods of organisational change. The proposition is illustrated by examples from the field, indicating that the coach can create an environment which effectively supports the client’s transition to a new sense of self by actively considering the client’s existing order of consciousness. This sense of self, separate from the client’s interpretation of and reactions to their experience, is needed so that the client can function effectively in our fast changing culture, which demands that we be self-directing both as learners and as workers.
ISSN:XXXX-XXXX
1741-8305