10 Ways Ontological Coaching Can Transform Your Life
By Marisa Lucchesi, Founding Coach & Managing Director
Ontological coaching is a transformative approach that focuses on the "being" of individuals. Unlike traditional coaching methods that primarily target behavior changes, ontological coaching delves into the deeper aspects of how we perceive and interact with the world. By exploring the interconnected dimensions of our thoughts, emotions, and actions, ontological coaching facilitates profound personal and professional growth. In this post, we’ll explore 10 specific ways that ontological coaching, along with the OAR (Observer, Action, Results) and BEL (Body, Emotions, Language) models, can positively impact your life and differentiate it from other coaching styles.
1. Enhanced Self-Awareness
Self-awareness is the foundation of personal growth. Ontological coaching helps you uncover hidden beliefs and patterns that shape your actions and reactions. By gaining a deeper understanding of yourself through the OAR model, you learn to observe the observer within you, enabling shifts in your perspective. For instance, a client who struggled with self-doubt discovered through coaching that their inner critic was rooted in past experiences. This awareness allowed them to address and overcome these limiting beliefs, leading to increased confidence and self-esteem.
2. Improved Emotional Intelligence
Emotional intelligence (EI) is crucial for navigating relationships and handling life’s challenges. Ontological coaching, particularly through the BEL model, fosters EI by helping you recognize and understand your emotions and those of others. Through coaching, you learn to manage your emotions effectively, leading to better interactions and reduced conflicts. One client, for example, learned to identify and regulate their anger by paying attention to their bodily sensations and language, resulting in more constructive communication and stronger relationships both at work and at home.
3. Better Communication Skills
Language is a powerful tool in ontological coaching. Coaches use language to help clients articulate their thoughts and feelings more clearly. The BEL model emphasizes the integration of body, emotions, and language to enhance communication skills. A client who frequently miscommunicated their needs at work found that, through coaching, they could express themselves more clearly and assertively, leading to more effective teamwork and collaboration.
4. Increased Resilience
Resilience is the ability to bounce back from setbacks. Ontological coaching builds resilience by helping you shift your perspectives and adopt a more adaptable mindset. By viewing challenges as opportunities for growth through the OAR model, you become more resilient in the face of adversity. For instance, a client who faced repeated career setbacks learned to reframe these experiences as learning opportunities, which strengthened their resolve and perseverance.
5. Enhanced Leadership Abilities
Effective leadership requires self-awareness, emotional intelligence, and the ability to inspire others. Ontological coaching equips leaders with these essential skills, enabling them to lead authentically and effectively. The OAR model helps leaders understand the impact of their actions on their results, while the BEL model enhances their ability to connect with their teams. A senior executive who struggled with team morale found that coaching helped them understand and address their team’s needs, resulting in a more motivated and high-performing team.
6. Greater Clarity and Focus
Clarity is key to achieving your goals. Ontological coaching helps you gain a clear understanding of your values, priorities, and long-term objectives. With this clarity, you can set more effective goals and stay focused on what truly matters. The OAR model assists in clarifying how your observations influence your actions and results. A client who felt overwhelmed by competing priorities learned through coaching to prioritize their tasks based on their core values, leading to increased productivity and satisfaction.
7. Better Stress Management
Stress is a common challenge in today’s fast-paced world. Ontological coaching addresses the root causes of stress by helping you integrate your body, emotions, and language (BEL Model). This holistic approach enables you to manage stress more effectively. A client who experienced chronic stress learned to recognize the physical and emotional signals of stress and developed strategies to manage it, resulting in improved well-being and performance.
8. Improved Decision-Making
Good decision-making is crucial for success in all areas of life. Ontological coaching helps you understand your decision-making patterns and make more informed choices. By examining the underlying beliefs and assumptions that drive your decisions through the OAR model, you can make choices that are more aligned with your goals and values. A client who struggled with indecision found that coaching helped them clarify their priorities and make more confident decisions.
9. Deeper Relationships
Healthy relationships are built on trust, communication, and empathy. Ontological coaching improves these aspects by helping you understand yourself and others better through the BEL model. This leads to more meaningful and fulfilling relationships. A client who had difficulty connecting with others found that, through coaching, they could develop deeper empathy and communicate more effectively, strengthening their personal and professional relationships.
10. Living Authentically
Authentic living means aligning your actions with your true self. Ontological coaching helps you uncover and embrace your authentic self, leading to a more fulfilling and purposeful life. By understanding the Observer within you and integrating body, emotions, and language, you can live in alignment with your deepest values. A client who felt disconnected from their true desires learned through coaching to identify and pursue their passions, resulting in a more authentic and satisfying life.
What Does This Mean for Me?
Ontological coaching offers a powerful and holistic approach to personal and professional growth that sets it apart from other coaching styles. By enhancing self-awareness, emotional intelligence, communication skills, resilience, and more through the OAR and BEL models, it helps you achieve profound transformations. If you’re ready to unlock your true potential and live a life aligned with your deepest values, consider exploring ontological coaching. Book a complimentary chemistry call with one of our certified coaches today and start your journey towards a more fulfilled and successful future.
