1. Bristol Coaching Research Conference
Making Sense of Coaching
Dr Angélique du Toit
University of Sunderland

2. 7 Characteristics of Sensemaking
Grounded in identity construction
Begins with a sensemaker(s)
Multiple identities
Interaction with the environment

3. 7 Characteristics, Cont…
Retrospective
Understanding comes after the event
A world in the past
Accuracy of recall is flawed

4. 7 Characteristics, Cont…
Enactive of Sensible Environments
Creation of the environment
The world is not a pre-given
Requires the disruption of sense made
Victims vs creators of our environment

5. 7 Characteristics, Cont…
Social
Sense is created within communities
Includes values and frames of references
Provides norms and standards

6. 7 Characteristics, Cont…
Ongoing
Without beginning or end
Interruption of flow
Signals indicate a change in environment
Positive and negative emotions

7. 7 Characteristics, Cont…
Extracted Cues
Points of reference
Different meanings
Self-fulfilling prophecies

8. 7 Characteristics, Cont…
Plausibility rather than Accuracy
An external reality to be sensed
The past is a reconstruction
The multiple world