Humour and playfulness and their practical use in the advancement of coaching psychology and practice

Abstract

This paper explores the idea of the existence, use and emergence of humour and playfulness within coaching relationships. We frame this use (and value) of humour and playfulness as part of the skills and tools of an executive coach. Starting this process, through a number of key questions we asked ourselves, we have expanded our inquiry beyond the theory of human humour and playfulness into the practical elements of this topic and talk about its relevance to liminality, creative spaces (Gash, 2016) and effective practice. Linking effectiveness and expediency, we explore how humour and playfulness can improve a coaching session (and as part of a longer programme) through learning about the tools of anticipation by a partial adherence to the principles of ontological coaching (Seiler, 2020). In addition, we examine the psychological, biological and neurological contexts in support of advancing coaching practice. We also explore how humour and its use in coaching psychology can support the very basic elements of human survival through helping people to grow and adapt to changing circumstances. We draw this proposition together by offering some reflections, stories and discussion to make the case for more research into this human phenomenon that can offer different options to executive coaches and coaching psychologists.