Narrative Coaching: The Definitive Guide to Bringing New Stories to Life

We ask questions which enable people to (1) notice their present phase (and state); (2) discover what they need to move to the next one; (3) find an opening to get across the threshold; and (4) map the coaching process to their change process.

Thresholds represent the moment of choice and lintels represent the structure that keeps it open.

FIGURE 20: PIVOTING BETWEEN OLD AND NEW STORY (T2)

is not about taking the person or the conversation somewhere with your questions, but rather using your questions to make the most of each and every moment.

FIGURE 10: FOUR ACTS OF NARRATIVE COACHING

Sometimes we change because our stories change. Sometimes our stories change because we have changed.

3. SHIFT Be courageous about the characters. What matters to her now? What needs to change? Give the characters a voice. Prototype the Behavior. 4. SUSTAIN Be complete in the field. What works now? What is success for her? Prepare her to return home. Adapt the Environment. What are your key insights? What will you experiment with first?

FIGURE 3: FOUR PRIMARY ATTACHMENT STYLES

The narrative reconfiguration tools—Turning Points, Pivots, Vectors of Change, and Nudges—