The Challenge of Staying Present
When we, as team coaches, encounter challenging situations—moments where a team won’t engage, stalls, or actively resists progress—the instinctive reaction can often be to reach for tools, techniques, or predesigned activities. These interventions, though effective in some cases, come from memory, from the past. In doing so, we unconsciously pull away from the present moment, relying on what has worked before or what we were taught along the way.
This can subtly disengage us from the unique dynamics of the present team. It’s as though we shift from being “with” the team to trying to “fix” the team. When this happens, we might lose the subtle, yet profound, opportunity to work with “what is” in real time.
Embracing the Present Moment
What if, instead, we let go of the need to resort to the past and embrace the present more fully?
This approach can be unsettling and nerve-wracking. In challenging moments, this alternative points not to something external but to ourselves—specifically, our capacity to stay in presence.
By staying fully present with the team, we become attuned to the unfolding of the moment, seeing it with fresh eyes and courageously naming what is happening. This cannot be predicted or planned but allows us to respond to the live energy in the room.
Naming the Energy in the Room
Rather than defaulting to techniques, we name the energy, the tension, the discomfort, the unease, or the silence. We allow the team to sit with what is happening. In this way, we do not guide from the past but accompany the team into the deep unknown space of the present.
This approach requires courage and trust—trust in the process, in the team, and in one’s own presence. It is the art of standing in the unknown and allowing the moment to reveal what is needed. When the coach holds this space, the team often finds the clarity or shift they need from within, rather than from outside intervention.
The Power of Self as Instrument
In emergent team coaching, the coach themselves is the most valuable instrument in the room. It is not about applying a structured methodology but about using presence, intuition, and awareness to sense what the team needs. This means tuning into the unspoken dynamics, the body language, and the subtle cues that indicate deeper underlying tensions.
Rather than rushing to solve problems, the coach embraces discomfort and models a way of being that allows the team to slow down and notice their own patterns. This mirrors back to the team their own behaviors, giving them a powerful opportunity to shift their collective approach.
Trusting the Process
Staying present requires trust—not just in oneself as a coach, but in the team’s ability to navigate their own challenges. When we resist the urge to intervene too quickly, we make space for teams to discover their own solutions. This trust empowers them to take ownership of their dynamics and fosters lasting transformation.
Instead of focusing on what we can “do” as coaches, we focus on how we can “be” in the room—curious, open, and fully engaged with the present moment. This shift in mindset creates a profound impact, allowing teams to access their own wisdom and insights.
A Call to Deepen Your Practice
If you are ready to embrace presence in your coaching, our Diploma in Emergent Team Coaching could be for you.
Come along to one of our free Intro to Team Coaching sessions to discover more.
