Use client metaphors and visual concepts

We use metaphorical words and visual concepts in everyday speaking, to the point we may not even realize we are, because it is such a natural way of communicating.

Someone who says, “I want to grow my skills” in a certain area, is using a metaphorical concept. To ‘grow’ could be likened to nature, such as growing plants of any kind. If we are a “growth” minded Professional Coach, we are always on a “path” or even a “journey” to further “developing” ourselves.

The words I’ve “highlighted” above are all visual, metaphorical words. Any one of them could be used for clarifying and deeper exploration. Which in turn could provide the client with connections and discoveries they might not otherwise make.

Definitions

ICF Core Competency #7, Evokes Awareness, is defined as “Facilitates client insight and learning by using tools and techniques such as powerful questioning, silence, metaphor or analogy.”

A definition of metaphor is, “a thing regarded as representative or symbolic of something else.”

A definition of analogy is, “a comparison between two things, typically for the purpose of explanation or clarification.”

Visual and Other Concepts, is a broader term I use to refer to client-shared words and experiences that evoke and image, emotions, or sensations.

For the rest of this article, that is the extent of the distinctions I’ll offer between metaphor and analogy as I use them all interchangeably.

Why use client metaphors, analogies and visual concepts?

Metaphors are a direct form of communication, and a powerful creative coaching “tool” to “cut through the clutter” of a lot of thinking. Metaphors often provide a multi-sensory experience, as we imagine using a “tool” “cutting through” something, in this case. Metaphors invite creativity and a sense of lightness to an otherwise “heavy” topic.

Our client might perceive an image that has motion, emotions, sensations and personal meaning. By exploring their metaphor/s, our client is accessing more of their self-knowledge which can more quickly provide them with insight and clarity than more thinking, thinking, thinking. Clients often change their pace of speaking, because their creative ‘self’ is being engaged and requires more reflection.

Clients use visual words all the time. As Professional Coaches, we continually seek to develop our ability to “Listen Actively” and hear more of what the client is saying.

When we use the client metaphors, we let them know we are listening to them and respect their way of speaking. When we ignore our client metaphors and instead use our own, we prioritize our own sense-making over our client way, which could lower client trust in the coach as the coach “way” is prioritized over the client “way.”

Partner with your client on the use of their metaphors

Become more attuned to the visual language your coaching client is using, and incorporate into your questions. Notice how your client responds to visual or sensory language. If your client uses a lot of visual concepts, you can ask which one feels most resonant for them to use in this moment. By using their metaphor, you may observe your client energy shift as they explore and gain clarity about their situation in a different way.

The “artistry” is in the coach ability to craft questions from client concepts. This often takes practice to first attune listening to hearing more of the client visual concepts. Then to practice crafting customized questions incorporating client concepts.

In the mentor coaching programs I lead, participants engage with a case study provided, of a (fictional) client. The coaches then practice crafting customized, open-ended “discovery-oriented” questions from the information about the client. Coaches regularly report they learned so much from this exercise, it transformed their way of listening and responding to coaching clients.

Metaphor versus visualization

As coaches, we aim to keep our client “in the spotlight” as it’s their session. Visualizations led by the coach are perhaps more training tools than coaching tools. Instead, if a client ‘visualizes’ something of their choosing and we follow the client, the client is likely accessing information meaningful to them.

For example, if your client says they are “feeling stuck” and not sure how to “navigate” what’s going on, example questions might be:

What do you know about “feeling stuck?”
What do you know about “navigation?”
If you’re not “feeling stuck” what would you be experiencing instead?
If stuck was a metaphor, what is “stuck?”
What can you use to get “unstuck?”
How “stuck” are you?

If “navigation” were a “vehicle” of any kind, what would it be?

After a few questions, coach might partner with their client by asking if the client wants to continue to use metaphor as a way to explore their situation. Assuming client says yes, coach can continue. If not, ask the client how they want to explore.

More examples

Here are some examples of everyday speaking our client may use which contain visual concepts:

Wanting have next “steps”
Wanting to “grow”
Feeling like there is a “cloud” over me
Something is “bubbling up”
Not wanting to “drop the ball”
Working so hard and “chasing my tail”
“Running away” with an idea
I “can’t see clearly” as it’s “blurry” what’s going on
A “part” of me wants this, another “part” of me doesn’t
I want to “shine a light” on what’s going on
What’s going on is “out of my line of sight”
There’s something “deeper” here and not sure what it is.

Further examples!

It’s like a dance between me and my team.

What do you know about the dance you are doing?
In the dance, which role do you gravitate to the most?

It’s more like a marathon than a sprint.

What do you know about a marathon?
What’s the difference you experience between preparing for a marathon versus a sprint?
If you were preparing for this [situation] as if it were a marathon, how would they differ?

It’s like planting seeds that will germinate later.

What do you know about planting seeds?
What types of seeds are you planting?
What are you wanting to grow?
What seeds have sprouted?
Which seeds are in need of watering?
Which seeds are you wanting to nurture? (this metaphor could apply to people, or ideas)
How do you tend to the seeds so they grow to maturity?
How do you work with unexpected weeds?
What fertilizer do your seeds like best?

In Closing…

Throughout this article, I’ve highlighted how many words are “visual concepts.” The more we can attune ourselves to hearing these words, the more ability we have to use them in questions.

Most often clients quickly gain more clarity through exploration of their metaphor than linear thinking alone can provide them. As a long time coach, the ability to craft customized questions from client visual concepts keeps me fully engaged in how I listen, and responding. I’m constantly learning how to craft questions that go deeper into the client use of concepts.

If you scroll through my blog articles page, you’ll notice from the article titles and pictures, how often I use visual concepts and metaphors. One of my products is called the “Butterfly on the Wall” coaching series which is a metaphor (I didn’t want to use the typical saying of being a “fly on the wall” and adapted it to a creature that I like more, a butterfly).

Wishing you an enjoyable experience of expanding your ability to hear, and craft questions using client metaphor, analogies and other visual concepts.

Written by Carly Anderson, MCC

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