Free Two Chairs Technique coaching tool
When your coachee is torn between 2 paths this is a great technique to help decide
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Preview of Two Chairs Technique
Two Chairs Technique
The two chairs technique is often used in therapy but is a really powerful tool in the coaching space. Ideally the coachee will have 2 physical chairs they can use, if not, it can be done with one chair.
When your coachee is torn between 2 paths have them sit in the first chair (or if only one chair available, ask them to sit in one position, then stand up and re-sit on the same chair in a different position for the second part of this technique.)
Go through their first option whilst they sit in "Chair One". Explore what it would be like for the coachee to go down this path. If the coachee is comfortable to, ask them to close their eyes as they answer these questions.Imagine you know the plan you're going to take to reach this outcome/goal.
How will you feel taking steps toward this outcome/goal?
What will it be like once you have reached the goal/succeeded?
Imagine reaching this goal/succeeding.... (You want to have them really envision what is going on.)
- How does it feel?
- What is going on around you?
- What is different for you?
- What is the same for you?
Go through their second option in this chair. Again, eyes closed if they're comfortable. Repeat the questions for this option. Get them to explore their feelings and thoughts behind succeeding with this option.
Ask them to get up from Chair Two and after a moment ask them how they felt in each chair. How did sitting in Chair One feel compared to Chair Two? Coach them through what is brought up from this technique.