Paper by James Farrell, Director, The Natural Coaching Company following panel presentation at Coaching At Work Conference, November 2022
A nature-based approach to coaching is an opportunity to enable people to respond to global and individual crises. It involves a partnership that responds to the planet as well as the person. By connecting people to the natural world, we can transform a client’s capacity and capability to be their best selves. The approach enhances the coaching process, and its results. And, through this way of working, we can ignite action for nature and our communities.
Key to nature based coaching, and coaching in general, is compassion. The Dalai Llama said “If you want others to be happy, practice compassion. If you want to be happy, practice compassion.” But what is compassion and where does it fit in? How does time in nature help compassion thrive in a way that boosts happiness? How can nature connection boost action that goes beyond ourselves – and towards the wider world? And finally, how might we practice?
Coaching involves compassion
Compassion is fundamental to coaching, but look for the word in the ICF Competencies and you won’t find it. Compassion is implied by ‘empathy’ perhaps – which does show up in the competencies – but it’s not quite the same. Compassion includes action.
In a major review, Goetz et al (2010) define compassion as “the feeling that arises in witnessing another’s suffering and that motivates a subsequent desire to help”. Coaches feel for people, and seek to help. And in the process, clients are able to move forwards.
Compassion is a distinct emotion. It is functionally distinct from love, but in the same emotion family as the less active ‘sympathy’ or ‘pity’, and it helps define us as a pro-social species. There are a number of evolutionary arguments for why we feel compassion. Warmth in human interactions strengthened the bonds necessary for survival, and the development of a preference for a secure attachment style. Compassion motivates altruism, and predicts ‘cooperative, trustworthy behavior and mutually beneficial exchanges’ (ibid) amongst unrelated individuals.
Coaches utilise these qualities – within professional boundaries of course. Compassion depends on two things. First, a response to others who are important to one’s wellbeing – such as in a coaching alliance. And second, that we recognise others as separate beings. Others like the clients that the Co-Active Model would describe as ‘naturally creative, resourceful and whole’ (Co-Active Training Institute 2022).
This emotion applies way beyond individual interactions and local communities. We feel the deep injustice for communities that contribute least to carbon emissions but suffer – or will suffer – the most harm. We want to help in any way we can. And many of us feel a deep sense of compassion for the wild ‘others’ we share this planet with. Since 1970, 41% of wild species in the UK have declined and 15% are at risk of extinction – such as wildcats, puffin, turtle dove and basking shark.
As coaches, we can harness these human drives for compassion. We are skilled in raising awareness, generating motivation, and helping people change what they do and how they do it. And working with nature can enhance our practice in some powerful and unexpected ways that relate strongly to compassion.
Time in nature helps compassion thrive
Dacher Keltner from the UC Berkeley’s Greater Good Science Centre has said that compassion is the most important builder of pro-social behaviour, followed by empathy, gratitude and social status. Time in nature – for example during a nature based coaching session, or as a practice between sessions – creates an environment for compassion to thrive. We can see how by looking through the following three 3 inter-related lenses – physiological, psycho-social, and nature connected.
Physiological lens
There is excellent evidence that we cannot live fulfilling, healthy lives apart from nature.
Put simply, time in and near nature reduces the risk of us dying earlier than we should, or suffering ill health. Numerous studies show how natural environments lower anxiety, stress and blood pressure, induce a sense of calm, and contribute to lower levels of disease and death (Maas et al 2009). There are new discoveries all the time. For example, work in Japan and Korea in the last five years shows that the plant chemicals we are exposed to when ‘forest bathing’ boosts the production of anti-cancer ‘natural killer’ cells in the blood (Cho et al 2017).
In order to fully experience compassion, one needs to be in a parasympathetic state, not a survival ‘threat’ mode. This is what happens in a safe, natural green space. We look up and around, our jaw relaxes, breath gets quieter, gaze softens and widens, and we orientate to others. Our trust centres open, oxytocin is released, and our ‘vagal tone’ improves. All these responses naturally lead to increased happiness, wellbeing and compassionate, pro-social behaviour that strengthens bonds with others and makes us more caring (Piff et al 2015, Weinstein et al 2009).
Working outdoors can even lead to greater creative thinking and innovation (Plambech & C.Konijnendijk van den Bosch 2015) – something philosophers and thinkers throughout history have known, and coaches can capitalise upon!
A psycho-social lens
Looking through a psycho-social lens helps us see how time in nature facilitates self-determination.
As most coaches will know, autonomy, relatedness and competence are the three basic needs in self-determination theory (Deci & Ryan 1985). This theory has held up across decades of psychological research.
Engaging with environmental stimuli provides interest and personal satisfaction, and this orientates people to be more in the present. Nature connection builds autonomy, by offering opportunities to integrate experience – encouraging introspection and a coherent sense of self. Nature also acts as a ‘secure base’ (Jordan 2015), where we are refreshingly free of judgement and can be our selves. The the ability to relate to nature further strengthens self-determination. And the natural world is a place where we can play, test ourselves, learn and grow our competence in useful ways for our communities. When basic needs are met we see better health and wellbeing outcomes, and improved intrinsic motivation across all age groups and cultures.
Inclusion in nature scale. (Maurer & Bogner 2019, after Shultz 2002)
As shown in the diagram, when we feel more ‘at one’ with the natural world, the ‘self’ and ‘other’ merge.
We are, of course, part of nature. As psychologist Wesley Shultz put it “We are born in nature, our bodies are formed of nature, we live by the rules of nature”. When we make an implicit connection and feel included in nature, then the ‘self/other’ disappears, and we have ‘us’. Compassionate action for nature includes ourselves. Compassionate action for our clients includes nature.
A nature connection lens
The natural world isn’t simply a ‘container’ for our walks and past times. Nature coaching can be so much more than simply coaching that is conducted outside; it can involve ‘nature connection’, and so invites some questions. What is the role of nature as a co-coach in the process? What if the coach is more of an accompanist or facilitator of a dialogue between client and natural world? Our clients become self-coaches over time – how then could clients let nature be their coach over time (Farrell & Tedoldi 2021)?
Mayer & Frantz define nature connection as “Individuals’ experiential sense of oneness with the natural world” (Mayer & Frantz 2004). The more our vision of ‘self’ overlaps with the ‘other’ of nature, the more related and connected we feel to the world around us. Compassion for nature – and nature connection – arises because we are ‘part of’ nature in the sense of a reciprocal alliance, and ‘apart from’ nature in the sense that negative outcomes for the planet create consequences for ‘self’. Nature connection is based on emotions – and our reflection on and engagement with them. As coaches we know that emotional engagement is key to motivation and closing the gap between value and action.
Note the active words ‘experiential’ and ‘sense’ that appear in the Mayer & Frantz definition. Coaching is active, and nature connection is too. On its own, ’contact’ with the natural world – ie time spent outdoors – does not lead to increased nature connection. We need to interact, explore, play, reflect, participate. If we do, we may experience additional benefits that go well beyond the physiological.
And whilst there are still huge inequalities in access to nature in many countries including the UK – especially for poorer communities and those from minority ethnic backgrounds – nature connection can be practiced anywhere, at any time. There is no type of biodiversity that is better than another for nature connection. One can relate living things wherever one lives, be it a street tree, a balcony or a farmer’s field. A bird, an insect, even a pet. Likewise, nature coaching can take place in towns and cities, back gardens and the countryside – either together in person with a coach, or remotely by phone.
Nature connectedness predicts a sense of a worthwhile life that is nearly four times larger than the increase associated with higher socio-economic status (Martin et al 2020). Nature connected people are 62.8% more likely to have higher self esteem (Barton & Pretty 2010) and eudaemonic wellbeing, and there is evidence of causality not just correlation (Pritchard 2020).
This active engagement has been shown to depend on five pathways, one of which happens to be ‘compassion’. The others are contact (senses), emotion, beauty, and meaning (Lumber et al 2017), and together these pathways lead to greater nature relatedness.
The table below maps these pathways onto the ICF Competencies to which they most closely relate.
Nature connection pathways in relation to coaching competencies
| Pathway | How nature coaching helps | Example coaching competency |
| Emotion | Presence of nature induces calm, lowers anxiety, aids emotional regulation through parasympathetic activation and enhanced autonomy | Develops and maintains the ability to regulate one’s emotions as part of a Coaching Mindset |
| Senses | Practice of nature connection enables centring for coach and client, enabling deeper presence and focus and wider health and wellbeing. Natural environments facilitate relatedness and a secure base that supports deep listening. Enables us to directly explore our relationship with environmental and community systems | Helps the coach Listen Actively in a way which notices, acknowledges and explores the client’s emotions, energy shifts, non-verbal cues or other behaviors |
| Beauty | Aesthetic appreciation involves prioritising attention – time in nature restores attention and frees up cognitive capacity. Observing a client with unconditional positive regard is similar. | Directing attentional resources supports the coach to Maintain Presence and be observant and responsive to the client |
| Meaning | Opportunity to bring in wider environment to client’s work through direct experience, exploration of meaning, and rich palette of metaphor and context | Key to Evokes Awareness – challenging the client in a way that creates insight and learning within their context (identity, environment, experiences, values and beliefs) |
| Compassion | Facilitates opportunity to raise awareness of and give back to others including natural world and wider environment | Works with the client to Facilitate Client Growth by integrating new awareness, insight or learning into their worldview and behaviors |
The other 4 pathways will be explore in more detail in other papers.
In terms of compassion, we could find a relevance across most if not all aspects of the coaching process. The process of looking through a nature connection lens may lead to greater wellbeing amongst coaches, a more resilient mindset, and the emotional regulation that comes with personal nature relatedness.
However, the ‘helping’ and action-oriented aspect of compassion relates particularly well to the action phase of coaching. ’Facilitating client growth’ as the ICF put it, or ‘will’ as the GROW model has it. So as coaches we may explore with our clients what they might do for the planet, or how they could grow themselves to be more capable of action. Where does the environment factor in the client’s worldview? How could the client give back to the planet? What could the impact be for the client, their community and the environment?
Compassion for nature builds action for nature
By coaching in and with nature, we might grow a connection to nature which acts as a complementary second force towards environmental good. A force that with the right habits may live on way beyond any coaching relationship. This is backed up by research. Studies show that an individual’s care and compassion for nature leads them to take more beneficial action in daily life. In fact, highly nature connected individuals are twice as likely to report pro-environmental behaviour (Alcock et al, 2020).
The level of environmental behaviour can be influenced by nature around us and how we interact with it. The amount of neighbourhood nature, number of nature visits, and level of nature appreciation are all factors. The behaviour includes reducing water use, recycling, buying eco-friendly and seasonal or local products, walking or cycling for short journeys, encouraging others to be pro-environmental, joining an environmental organisation and environmental volunteering.
These behaviours matter. As the House of Lords Environment and Climate Change Committee (2022) put it: “Behaviour change is essential for achieving climate and environment goals, and for delivering wider benefits.” The Committee on Climate Change has said that meeting the UK target of 78% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2035 requires “more than ever before…people to be actively involved. This need not entail sacrifices. Many people can make low-carbon choices, about how they travel, how they heat their homes, what they buy and what they eat.” (CCC, 2020).
The House of Lords report identified that 32 per cent of emissions reductions up to 2035 require decisions by individuals and households. These include adopting low carbon technologies and choosing low-carbon products and services, as well as reducing carbon-intensive consumption. 63 per cent relies on the involvement of the public in some form. This is similar to analysis by Williamson et al (2018) for the Centre for Behaviour & the Environment, which identified 30 behavioural changes that could mitigate up to 36% of global emissions over the next 30 years.
And pro-environmental behaviours matter for nature. 37% of the actions required to keep the planet below 1.5 degrees warming include nature-based solutions (UNEP & IUCN 2021).
There are pro-nature conservation behaviours too. These include voting for parties with strong pro-nature conservation policies, volunteering with conservation organisations, planting native plants and leaving undisturbed/unmaintained areas for wildlife.
Work by Richardson et al (2020) showed that engaging in simple nature connection activities drive the most action for nature. More than time in nature, or virtual engagement such as watching wildlife programmes. Furthermore, talking about engaging in simple nature activities also enhances nature connectedness, and in turn the likelihood of taking nature-positive action.
And so we see a process unfolding which is cyclical and virtuous, and which can be enhanced by nature coaching. A process where more nature connection leads to more human and community benefit; which leads to more action for environment and nature; which leads to more nature connection.
A spinning wheel of compassionate action, with coaching at its heart.
Conclusion
Compassion is central to humanity, and to coaching. It is an active emotion which is key to navigating the challenges we face in the world today. It thrives when we step outside and spend time with the natural world.
Inviting nature into the coaching space – and connecting with nature personally – offers huge benefits to individuals and communities. These are both physiological and psychological, and increase when when we relate to and engage with the natural world.
This active relationship is facilitated by five pathways which deepen our sense of oneness with nature, and align with the key elements of the coaching process. One of these pathways is compassion itself – a means of activating some of the critical behaviours that are needed to slow and reverse many aspects of the climate and biodiversity crises.
Coaching is already a process that works with people to create the time, opportunity and choice to change their lives. And the motivation and accountability to do it.
Now is the time for coaches to harness the power and potential of working with nature, and be part of the change the world needs. When will you start?
A practice
Nature connection can be grown with practice. To be authentic ‘nature coaches’, we have a responsibility to nurture our own practice. Here is one that particularly relates to compassion.
’Be Kind’ is a short, self-guided reflection to conduct in a safe, comfortable, natural green space. The focus is on thinking kind thoughts about the natural world you are observing. Asking what you notice in nature, and yourself as you do so. Reflecting on what is happening to your emotional state and the compassion you feel for the natural world. It can be coupled with a somatic exercise, opening the chest and arms, and lifting the gaze.
“Think kind thoughts about the natural world you are observing. Notice the clean air you are breathing, beautiful colours and movement, the gifts that nature brings. Notice a sense of calmness and connection. What else is happening to your emotional state? What love and kindness are you feeling, and what is nature returning to you?”
From ‘Being in Nature’ by James Farrell & Lee Evans
The practice activates the vagus nerve, and releases hormones including oxytocin that strengthen feelings of pro-sociality and empathy. Practicing self-reflection in nature builds nature connection more powerfully than mindful or meditative activity in which we detach from our thoughts (Richardson & Sheffield 2015). More nature connected people are more likely to have higher life satisfaction and wellbeing – and are more likely to take action in daily life which is environment and nature-positive (Lumber et al 2017).
‘Being in Nature – 20 practices to help you flourish in a busy world’ is available from the authors direct at https://natureconnectionbooks.com, or from the usual online bookshops.
References
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Committee on Climate Change (CCC) (December 2020) The Sixth Carbon Budget: The UK’s path to Net Zero
Co-Active Training Institute (website accessed 2022) Co-Active Model https://coactive.com/about/what-is-coactive/
Farrell, J. & Tedoldi, D. (2021) Let Nature Be Your Coach – How to Flourish With The Natural World. TEDx Aston University, TED.com
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