Now you are probably wondering, “Why in the world would I want to make my hearing fuzzy?”
Let’s relate it art. Art teachers often invite their students to squint helps them to see greater definition of values and shapes. If you have trouble with contrast in your drawings/paintings then this tip is especially helpful.
An artist’s squint is not used to improve visual acuity. Rather, the opposite. They squint to visually simplify the values in the scene, to eliminate the perception of reflected light, and to better see the entirety of an object or subject
So, it is in coaching. We listen with a squinting ear as it helps us focus on Who the person is and not just their problem. If you have trouble sorting the story from the person, just soften your listening and hear beyond the obvious or narrative to receive the whole of the client before you. To better hear (or see) eliminate your initial perception and to see the perception, idea or belief that is causing the client’s issue.
I take a page out of the art teacher’s lesson and I mentor coaches to see the whole of a person, to recognize their creativity and resourcefulness by initially softening their gaze and their hearing then to slowly focus in on where to shine the light for you your client. This light is the lightest light in the moment and as such it is the lightest light in their session. This light shining continues until the painting or the session is finished. Some artists call this process, coming out of the mist.
