As coaches, we often focus on helping clients achieve specific goals or overcome particular challenges. However, a truly transformative coaching experience requires a more holistic approach – one that considers the client as a whole person, with interconnected physical, emotional, and psychological needs.
In a recent conversation, Fiona Cosgrove and Melanie White explored the concept of “coaching the whole person” and how it differs from more traditional, goal-oriented coaching methods. Below is a transcription of the conversation for commentary so you can “look in” to the conversation.
Fiona began by sharing insights from a book she read during her counselling days called “Healing the Whole Person.” She was particularly struck by the emphasis on how we embody emotions, and how simple changes in posture and body language can dramatically shift one’s mood.
As Fiona explained, “It’s literally impossible to say ‘I feel so depressed’ while standing up straight with your shoulders back and a smile on your face.” This led them to discuss the specific skills and mindset required to coach the whole person. As Melanie reflected, the key is being deeply present, intuitive, and attuned to the client’s verbal and non-verbal cues. It’s about maintaining eye contact, actively listening, and sensing the nuances in the client’s energy and emotions.
Fiona built on this, sharing a more holistic definition of coaching the whole person – one that considers all aspects of an individual’s life, rather than focusing solely on a single issue or goal. This includes physical health, emotional well-being, relationships, and personal values. “It’s the interconnectedness of the different areas,” Fiona explained. “We’re not just helping a person in one scenario, we’re supporting them across all areas of their life.” This contrasts with a more transactional, goal-oriented approach, which the speakers referred to as “coaching the situation” rather than the whole person. As Melanie noted, this can lead coaches to miss important opportunities to truly understand and support the client’s deeper needs and challenges.
One powerful example emerged from Melanie’s own coaching experience. During a session focused on a specific work-related goal, the client made a brief mention of an issue with her mother. Melanie moved past this, rather than pausing to explore the underlying emotional and relational dynamics at play. “I realised on listening to the recording that there were other opportunities there – in the client’s tone of voice and feelings – that I could have explored, rather than just focusing on the surface-level issue,” Melanie shared.
This highlights a key distinction: Coaching the whole person isn’t just about helping clients achieve their stated goals. It’s about uncovering the deeper beliefs, fears, and patterns that may be sabotaging their progress – and working collaboratively to address those root causes.
Fiona shared another insightful reflection on her own coaching experience in the realm of health and wellness. She explained how the work has shifted from simply helping clients establish healthy habits, to delving into the barriers and challenges that prevent them from doing so. “It’s not just about the behaviours,” Fiona said. “It’s about working to help them recognise the things that are stopping them from achieving their goals.”
This holistic, transformative approach requires coaches to develop a deep understanding of the client’s values, strengths, and patterns – both positive and negative. It’s about creating space for self-discovery, and helping clients uncover their true selves in the process.
As Melanie eloquently put it, “Coaching the whole person is about drawing attention, observing, unpacking, and discussing the individual’s values, strengths, traits, patterns, and opportunities – not just in this given situation, but in the broader context of their life.” Ultimately, coaching the whole person is about facilitating lasting, meaningful change. It’s about empowering clients to break free from limiting beliefs, overcome deep-seated challenges, and step into their fullest potential. And as Fiona and Melanie demonstrated, it’s a skill that requires ongoing development, self-reflection, and a genuine commitment to honouring the complexity and uniqueness of each individual.
NB: This approach is particularly effective in health and wellness coaching, where physical health goals often intertwine with mental and emotional well-being. It’s also used in leadership coaching, life coaching, and other personal development areas.
