Workshop Pictures and stories of collaboration

This session presents an interdisciplinary, collaborative and narrative coaching method to support professionals to embrace the multiple perspectives that influence their work and organisation. This way of coaching aims to enable professionals to work in contexts of diversity and to enhance the preconditions needed to do so.

 In a globalised world we must learn to accept, or even better appreciate multiversity, which means the ability to regard different worldviews and perspectives of others as an invitation to enrich one’s own attitudes towards life and work (Stelter, 2009, p. 210).

A context of diversity needs professionals who are aware of their own narrative (Verhaeghe & Den Haese, 2020). Who have insight in their own subjective reality and how it steers their perspective on the world. Narrative coaching is part of what Stelter and Law (2010) call third generation coaching. Coaching from a reflective perspective. The focus is on the exploration of values and meaning making (Verhaeghe & Den Haese, 2020). Narrative collaborative approaches are chosen because of their focus on dialogue and social interaction. The social interactions that are most effective in promoting learning are those that are filled with tension and conflict (Bakhtin, 1981).

During three interconnected cycles, (1) telling the story, (2) meeting the other and (3) sustainability, the coaching tries to establish an environment characterized by multiple diverse voices. Meeting ‘the other’ is implemented as a means for reflection. This environment offers challenges as well as opportunities for expanding educational professionals’ understanding of the world (Tschida, 2009).   

Kaat Verhaeghe & Bert Wastijn   

Kaat Verhaeghe is a pedagogue willing to  inspire people to engage in education in a critical way. A researcher trying to be aware of her ows bias striving for cultural aware professionals. A mom who see a child with competences. A dreamer who hopes to contribute to a democratic and caring world.

Pedagogue. Erasmus University College Brussels.

Master of Science Pedagogical science. Universiteit Gent

Researcher. Research center urban. Coaching and education

Bert Wastijn graduated as a social-cultural worker and Master of Arts in Cultural Studies and specialised abroad in cultural education with children and young people. He formerly worked as a coordinator of a Brussels-based youth work organisation for cultural education. Since 2014, Bert teaches in research, communication, coaching and leadership in the Bachelor Pre-Primary Education and Early Childhood Education & Care. He professionalised as “teacher educator” and systemic coach, adding to the coaching method that was developed together with colleagues. In addition to his research on school leaders and team coaching responding to the need for professionalisation concerning diversity in education, he participated in the writing process of several approved European projects on research-related themes. There is always a link with research, education and the professional field. A principle he also puts into practice in social engagement as administrator within several boards of educational and sociocultural organisations. (ORCID ID: 0000-0001-5768-8991)