Coaching in front of Art

A cluster of people stands for a conspicuously long time in front of Giorgio de Chirico's "The Great Metaphysician" in the Neue Nationalgalerie. The young people are intensely engaged in conversation. That happens in art exhibitions. But here it's not just about the impressions that the viewers share with each other. This way of looking at art is a method for coaching teams. The combination of targeted interventions in organizational teams with elements of art, so-called art-based interventions, are a trend of the 21st century. Coaching in front of art can be seen as such a tool for team development.

As part of a final project, artist and systemic coach Jörg Reckhenrich, in collaboration with student Emmanuel Klauk, conducts coaching with the betterplace lab and NETTZ teams to highlight the benefits to team cohesion. Both teams will go through the three-hour workshop format.

On May 19, 2022, nine "Coachees" will gather at the Neue Nationalgalerie to talk about collaboration in their teams based on paintings of their own choosing. Actual and target states are discussed via the three phases of observation, emotion and meaning.

How the art works

Observation of the coaching shows that the paintings serve as conversation partners and promote the self-opening of the participants.

"I found it exciting that art doesn't just speak to you, but with you. The image was like a moderator along which things could be addressed that we wouldn't say to each other in an empty room."

The gallery creates an environment that is distant from work and conducive to inspiration. The coaching format provokes "aha-moments". Interviews conducted after coaching in front of art show that coachees get to know each other better through the medium of art. Participants open up and share personal information.

"That's the biggest added value of it for me, that it expanded understanding on a social level. We already understood each other well before. It's on a more intimate level again after the workshop."

Identified external threats bring the groups closer together. Intensive discussion of collaboration through the paintings creates clarity about roles, goals, and the teams themselves.

"Through the different lines we have been able to determine our structure, how we are connected to each other."

Jointly generated emotions can be taken back to the teams beyond the coaching session and the sense of unity within the participating groups is strengthened.

"Engaging in an experimental format, as opposed to a normal round of talks, I do think has strengthened the sense of "we" in my group."

These are all indicators of group cohesion. Organizations get empirical evidence for the benefits of an art-based intervention for team development through the case study.

More information about the offer Coaching before Art by Jörg Reckhenrich is available on this homepage.

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