When people ask me what type of coach I am, and I tell them I am an ontological coach, my answer is often met with the question, “What’s ontological mean?” Although I have a spiel that I do in the moment, I am writing this in hopes that those who find me may already grasp what ontological coaching is and be ready to shift who they are Being.
What is Ontology?
Ontology originated as a field of philosophy about the “nature of existence.” In philosophical ontology exploration, when something is determined to exist, then there are more questions to determine additional information about its being. For instance, whether it exists objectively (on its own) or subjectively (depending on the mind or language of the observer) … whether it is discovered or created… etc. Plato, who believed in many different types of objects, is considered to have had a rich ontology.
In more recent years, computer science has adopted the term ontology “for the purpose of enabling knowledge sharing and reuse … a specification used for making ontological commitments.” Humans ascribe meaning to every term in our language (most frequently by emotions or language), which creates our conceptualization of a word. Since many conceptualizations are 1) hidden, and 2) different from person to person, it is often necessary to ask queries to help us close the gap between our conceptualizations. Through this specification, more can be understood. Committed ontology refers to “observable actions being consistent with the definitions in the ontology.”
Ontological Coaching
In the coaching field, ontological coaching is said to be “the gold standard of coaching.” This is because it generates tremendous self-awareness and grounding, as well as a practical understanding of language and emotions, leading to different conversations and true transformation. This transformation facilitates the expansion of mental and emotional capabilities, and creativity in navigating the continuous changes of day-to-day life. In turn, this generates satisfaction, meaning and fulfillment. Ontological coaching is effective for personal development, leadership development, and business growth.
Considering that we are all observers of life, the model above looks pretty usual to most of us. It shows that the Observer takes actions and achieves results. Often, we evaluate the results, go back and take different actions, and then evaluate the results again. Sometimes, this works just fine. Other times, we find ourselves feeling “stuck.” This is where coaching is useful, especially ontological coaching.
While some coaches focus primarily on goals to be achieved, ontological coaching focuses primarily on the client’s Way of Being as a means to align with their goals more efficiently. As Observers, our Way of Being is often out of our own awareness and can hold deep-seated limiting beliefs about what we can accomplish. By exploring and recognizing our Way of Being, we also remove the barriers of learning, and develop more effective communication and behaviors.
“The range of what we think and do is limited by what we fail to notice. And because we fail to notice that we fail to notice, there is little we can do to change until we notice how failing to notice shares our thoughts and deeds.” ~R.D. Laing
Coaching to any of these areas (Language, Emotions, Body) can generate a breakthrough in Being, impacting the other areas. Facilitating new actions to embody the new Way of Being can generate new results (short term) and constructive change (long term). These shifts allow us to “clear” past beliefs and automatic behaviors, create new possibilities, be more constructive and influential, and produce more satisfying results. And, we are capable of maintaining this process in the future, being self-generating learners and leaders.
Ontology portends that our Way of Being influences the actions we take, as well as the results that we get. Since how we see is caused by our Way of Being, ontological coaching focuses on becoming a more powerful observer, challenging our past beliefs, and creating possibility through practicing a new Way of Being and facilitation of new actions. By creating new results and possibility, we increase our ingenuity and integrity, become more creative, are more fulfilled, and have a more noticeable impact in the lives of others.
Working With Ontological Coaches
Instead of telling them what to do or how to be, coaches assist clients to achieve what they desire. They do this by supporting their clients to take advantage of (and create new) skills, competencies and knowledge. Through ontological coaching, clients are better able to design their future, serve themselves, and learn and act more efficiently.
We often don’t realize that we are projecting our past into our futures. By running away from, or trying to fix what we think is wrong in our environment, we manifest more circumstances to reflect our automatic Way of Being back to us – “that which we resist, persists.” We all have stories. Without the awareness of our own process and patterns, and taking responsibility for how our lives are going, we can feel like the victim of our lives. But really, we are just carrying the ball and chain of our past observations around with us, and chucking them into our futures.
In ontological coaching, language is not just descriptive – it is performative. By seeing and getting responsible for the ways we carry that ball and chain, we can break the pattern and create something new for ourselves. By improving awareness of our own language, emotions and body, we can clear old stories and patterns, and create a new path forward. Through shifting our thoughts, words and actions into alignment with one another, we create true integrity in our lives. And by being integral in our lives, we generate power, satisfaction and fulfillment (as well as other benefits).
If you’re ready to be the dancer, instead of the dance floor – to learn to move in the flow of life, not wait for it to happen to you or fight against it… ontological coaches are here to support you! Please contact me today!
Sources:
“ABOUT / WHAT IS ONTOLOGICAL COACHING.” Newfield Institute: Ontological Coaching, http://www.newfieldinstitute.com.au/html/ontological_coaching.html.
“Ontology.” Encyclopædia Britannica, Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc., https://www.britannica.com/topic/ontology-metaphysics.
“Ontology.” Encyclopædia Britannica, Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc., https://www.britannica.com/topic/ontology-metaphysics.
Sieler, Alan. “What Is so Special about Ontological Coaching?” LinkedIn, LinkedIn, 10 Sept. 2021, https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/what-so-special-ontological-coaching-alan-sieler/.
Welty, Christopher A. What Is an Ontology, 30 Nov. 1999, http://www.uvm.edu/~edow/ontology.htm.
“What Is Ontological Coaching?” Talkingabout, https://www.talkingabout.com.au/ontological.
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