The Power of Intuition and The Nervous System in Coaching

Often coaching is seen as a solely cognitive process which can feel transactional: the coach helps you set a goal and move towards it by supporting you to find your own actions perhaps using a model to do so. This type of "normative" coaching has a space and can be great for new coaches and those who are new to coaching yet we believe in a more holistic approach gets better results and feels more transformational.

This is where we are looking at approaches which go beyond the cognitive and are not based on the power of questions instead considering the broader question of what else could be going on? Beyond tools, techniques and killer questions there is the power of a coaches intuition. The key here is that as coaches we're not wedded to our intuition or a need to be "right" instead we use our intuition with curiosity to evoke new awareness and deeper insight. 

When you pair intuition with an awareness of the nervous system and neuroscience you move to a deeper presence as a coach and are able to really notice those small shifts in your client which are often clues to explore. 

Intuition: Could it be Magic? 
Sometimes coaching feels like magic : the coach is sensing there is more to what the client is saying and they're able to generate novel insights and "aha" moments which rewire the clients brain changing the way they think, feel and act. 

Sorry to disappoint, intuition in coaching isn’t magic it's the product of presence, attunement and trust.  You can notice it in those subtle nudges: a question that emerges before a client finishes speaking, a sensation in the body when something feels off or a shift which you know needs to be explored. Often, these intuitive moments are the turning points in a session, the gentle interventions that open up deep awareness.

But intuition can’t be forced. Insights come from a quiet brain and fostering those silences and that deeper listening supports the coach to go deeper as well as the client. When you're distracted by internal or external factors or you're rushing the client or wanting to jump to your solution you won't be able to tune into your own inner wisdom, let alone your clients. 

Equally, if you're married to all of your sensations or shifts that you feel and doggedly push clients when they're not ready or your radar is off then your intuition isn't working for you (or for them) 

This is why nervous system awareness alongside intuition is key. 

The Nervous System: Your Inner Barometer
Our nervous system is always communicating with you. As coaches tuning into your own nervous system (and emotions) is crucial not only for your own wellbeing also for your clients trust and safety and for your intuition.

Coming into sessions in a grounded, regulated state where you're calm, connected and open means you can build rapport more effectively as well as being more able to hold space, notice shifts and responding rather than reacting. Alternatively if you come to sessions feeling anxious, hypervigilant or frustrated connection is harder and you can often misread "intuition" or cues as you're unable to distinguish what is yours and what is your clients.

Of course, during a coaching session your nervous system can be activated (as can your clients) if you're grounded and present you can self regulate bringing yourself back into a client focus and lens.

When you notice the small shifts in your client which can signal that their nervous system is responding to a threat this is often a clue to explore which can support new insights : as long as it's handled in a way that is supportive of the client and doesn't provoke more threat (or judgement).

Equally important is your ability to co-regulate with clients. The human nervous system is social and it picks up on cues of safety or threat.  By staying present and regulated, we help the client’s system soften and support deeper conversations. It may also include integrating somatic approaches such as breathing, meditation or visualisation as well as movement.. These can help support  deeper reflection, emotional release or courageous decision-making.

Bringing It Together in Coaching
Here’s what it looks like when intuition and nervous system awareness work together : 

You sense a shift in your client’s energy, even before their words change. You pause. You get curious with what is going on, you suspend your own judgement. That’s intuition.

You feel your own heart race or chest tighten. You take a breath, ground yourself and choose not to follow that anxiety down a rabbit hole. That’s nervous system regulation.

You notice your client speeding up and avoiding a topic or question. You slow your pace, soften your voice and ask a question that gently opens a door giving space for the client to respond. That’s co-regulation through intuitive presence.

Practicing the Practice
Cultivating these capacities is a lifelong journey, not a checkbox. Here are some ways we think can support you: 

Mindfulness & embodiment: Daily practices that connect you with your body and breath are foundational this could be breathwork, yoga, meditation or visualisation. 

Reflective practice: When you've completed your coaching sessions reflect on where you noticed your intuition: what was your body telling you? what were you feeling? how did you use it in the session ? what else could you have done? these are equally great topics to bring to supervision 

Somatic awareness: Learn how nervous system states show up in your body, and how to bring yourself back to centre. You can equally use approaches with your clients (with consent) 

The Bottom Line
We believe that the best coaches are flexible in their approaches which is why we designed our trademarked holistic coaching framework which supports coaches to use a variety of approaches including those described (this is under body in the framework). If you want to find out more come to our workshop week next week : click here to sign up https://www.optimuscoachacademy.com/workshop-week-april-2025