What happens in a 1:1 Session? The “7-step process” with a difference

What to expect in your Mountain Boardroom

When I explain that I take people up mountains for 1:1 Business Coaching sessions, I often get a lot of ‘wows’, and ‘that sounds amazing’ comments, but the truth is, it’s difficult to get your head around what ACTUALLY happens in these sessions, and how they work.

So yes, we do go for a walk in the mountains (usually a route that will take us 6-8 hours), and yes, we walk and talk.

Yes, we jot down plans, look at models and do written exercises. But a lot of it is Just Simply Talking.

Most of our 1:1 sessions are structured to work towards a specific outcome (e.g. a quarterly business review, or working on your vision), but I have wrestled for years with working out what my unique process and method was.

Meanwhile, I noticed over the years, that there tends to be a flow to a session that you can almost predict, the way the energy ebbs and flows over the day, how clients seemed to unload EVERYTHING at the start of the walk, the silence in the middle, and the excitement near the end.

Then it struck me. I had been looking for my method all this time, and there it was in front of me. And I would love to share the seven steps of the journey with you:

1. The Unburdening

Your journey really begun when you set off that morning, all the things running through your head as you made your way to the hills and mountains. Time on your own in the car or on the train to start to release some of the things on your mind. Fear, anxiousness, anger, rumination, acceptance - your mind starts its own journey.

And then when we meet and head off together, usually within the first 5 minutes, out it all comes. A constant stream of consciousness as you unload everything that has been building up and swirling around your mind.

2. The Inquiry

During the unburdening, my attention is drawn to key points that stand out. It may be hints of an underlying obstacle. A repeating pattern. Or a seemingly throw-away comment that betrays a hidden feeling.

I am curious, and ask questions around the edges. To get more information. To confirm a suspicion. To build a picture. To reveal an insight.

Sometimes we'll hit an impasse. A path you're just not ready to go down, something you just don't want to face. That's fine, we have a lot of time. We back-track, talk about something else, or approach from another angle, and see if we're ready to circle back later.

3. The Dance

Some questions may be more forthright. Not directive, but designed to prod and probe into areas that are being avoided, and the words that aren't being said. 'What about...?' 'You mention you didn't want to do this... Why?'

And so begins the dance. I ask questions that are trying to reveal a deeper truth, you give me the answers that you think I want to hear. We both kind of know what each other is doing, but we play along all the same. Because this is the same dance that you do whenever someone starts brushing against what lies beneath. But they run out of time.

Not today.

We press on and each step of the dance unravels the facade, and begins to reveal the truth beneath.

4. The Reflection

I become conscious that we've been walking in silence for a while. The energy has shifted, as your mind works through what we've talked about. Pressure is building. Something is coming.

This takes time, and the best thing I can do for you right now is keep the space safe, and give it the time to happen naturally. 

5. The Beacon of Truth

It has all been building to this point.

The crux of your journey.

Maybe it's the killer question that I have held back and waited for the right moment to ask. Maybe you ask me for my honest opinion. Sometimes the reflection time has helped you come to it on your own.

But the truth reveals itself. We stop, somewhere peaceful, safe and isolated to begin to understand it better.

6. The Lighting of the Way

Your truth shines a new light on everything. Your alignment is clear, or at least you know where it needs to shift. Answers to earlier questions become obvious. Totally new solutions reveal themselves. Ideas come to mind from places you didn't even know existed. The path is exciting, your load is lightened and the possibilities are endless.

We spend time exploring these new paths - testing our new ideas, checking your alignment, refining your truth. The air buzzes, and the future is exciting.

7. The Plan

Now we need to bottle it. We stop at a beautiful spot on the route, or head to a cafe or pub at the end to understand what this means. What are the big blocks? What are the next steps? I commit you to actions to start your journey on this bold path.

The path will be tough, but the fire is rekindled, and our next sessions will support you on your journey.