Miriam Orriss

5 minutes with Miriam Orriss…

What was your path into coaching?

My interest began when I spent time overseeing and managing a Department within a Local Authority. There I developed Supervision Policies, Procedures and Protocols, and trained senior and middle managers in Supervision Skills.

Working in this capacity brought me to the realisation that coaching was the most effective method, both in time spent and cost to the client, in achieving lasting results. At that point, I left the public sector and spent some time training as a coach working with individuals (life coaching) and at the corporate level (business, executive coaching).

Tell us about your supervision style?

I always aim to bring out the best in the coach I’m working with and develop their potential to the full.  I have a powerful mind, I am extremely flexible, open and supportive, and will adapt each session to what is required at the time. This means there is no typical session as each one draws on the necessary tools, skills and support that is needed.

What do you bring to CSA?

A unique perspective that combines professional coaching and management skills together with an integrated view that encompasses a broad range of complementary techniques from different disciplines.

As Director of the Coaching Supervision Academy I’ve been involved in the devising and setting up our ICF-approved Diploma in Coaching Supervision. I’m a senior tutor on the course – which is now in its fifth year.

What’s the most unique thing about your style of supervision or areas of research?

Whilst working in many different environments – as a business woman, hospital psychotherapist, senior manager, and clinical supervisor – the common thread, which has been present throughout my work, has been my connection with people.

I’ve always believed that we are more than the sum of our parts – so my work has become more eclectic and integrative, with many professional influences enriching my supervision practice.

One of the most useful tools I’ve gained is an understanding of Transactional Analysis (TA) – it’s a superb communications tool, and is internationally recognition.

Where did you learn about TA… and what does it help you achieve?

I spent six years training in TA at Metanoia Institute. I have further developed that learning, and adapted it to work for coaches within the coaching context, and I now run experiential coaching workshops based on TA. The cognitive support of the TA approach fascinated me, and has proved very useful in supervision. Its benefits are taught by several of the leading coaching schools, including CSA.

What else inspires and influences you professionally?

A complementary influence for me must be new discoveries in quantum physics, neuroscience and biofield science. The awareness of how these discoveries enable us to have a new understanding of who we are and how we can respond intelligently to the systems that we are in is a key focus of supervisory work.

It sounds interesting… but what’s the link with supervision and coaching?

I believe this area of knowledge can greatly expand the depth at which coaches can work. I call this concept “Energy Management”, or Field Theory – and have written a number of papers on it (you can read them in the Thought Leadership section – Editor’s note). I’ve developed workshops on Energy Management for Coaches.

Do you have any other published works, papers or articles?

I’ve written number of papers presented to coaching groups and organisations as well as presenting at numerous conferences. These include Spirituality in the Workplace, which I presented at the International Conference on Spirituality in Organisations – it ended up one of the topics for debate and discussion (you can read Miriam’s full bibliography here – Editor’s note).

Who do you find inspiring?

Dr Petruksa Clarkson – I was privileged to know Petruska, both personally, and professionally. I attended many of her workshops and watched her work over a period of several years. Clarkson’s legacy includes world-renowned discourse on Integrative Psychotherapy and Supervision called Physis.

Through Physis, Petruska provided the opportunity for professional qualification, self-growth and the development of professional, consulting and academic skills through Learning by Enquiry (Dieratao) – an inspiring mentor!

Finally, is there a single piece of wisdom you’d offer to every practising coach?

To work from a place of presence and integrity; to trust the process; and listen to your coachee.

Miriam’s Bibliography:

• British Association for Supervision Practice and Research July 2010. Who you are is how you supervise.
• Euro Coach List Conference 2009, Bristol – Who you are is how you coach.
• Keynote and Presentation for ICOS Conference, 2006, London – Keynote: What is Spirituality? Presentation: The Future of Work
• AC Conference, 2006, London – Coach as Energy Manager.
• European Energy Psychology Conference, 2003, Brighton – Born of a Strange Intelligence – Energy and Intuition.

Pages: 1 2