The Coffer Illusion and Coaching

What do you see when you look at this image? The image (called the coffer illusion) was created by psychologist Anthony Norcia from Stanford University. It is made up of a pattern of black, white and grey lines of different shades that together create the illusion of rectangles. While for most people, it's easy enough to see the rectangles, the 16 circles in the image are not always visible at first sight. Yes, they are there.

It was created in the year 2006 and was a finalist in the Best Illusion of the Year Contest, run by the  Neural Correlate Society (NCS). NCS is a non-profit that spreads awareness of new cognitive research that has much to teach us about how we see the world. 

Popular Mechanics conducted a poll with its readers on Instagram, where 857 people out of 966 said they saw squares, which leaves 109 who spotted the circles.

The coffer illusion is a great way to explain one of the things that coaching offers a client. The ability to see what is hiding in plain sight. The client has to do the work, the coach can only help them see the circles (and the squares). Once the client has seen them then there is no going back, they now have the power to see them both, whenever they want. This offers choice, a chance to operate from outside of the reflex, default mode, and evaluate which option works better for them at any given point in time.

Knowing what questions to ask is the ability the coach brings into the equation. The gentle nudge that is so often required to help the client stop looking at the squares and enable them to see the circles (that were hidden in plain sight between the vertical lines in between the squares) or vice-versa. If you still have not been able to find the circles, one way to bring them into your awareness is by focussing on the vertical bars between the rectangles. 

This is what we mean when we say coaching helps a client get self-awareness and see things in a new light. Coaching often enables a client to see themselves and what is going on in their world in new and interesting ways. Things that are often hidden in plain sight emerge when a good coaching session brings them into focus.

The Coffer Illusion beautifully shines a light on the ICF Coaching Competency #7 (Evokes Awareness) Which is defined as follows. The Coach facilitates client insight and learning by using tools and techniques such as powerful questioning, silence, metaphor, or analogy. In specific 7.4 Asks questions that help the client explore beyond current thinking and 7.10 Supports the client in reframing perspectives. 

What is hiding from you? Is there something in your world that you need to look at differently? Give yourself the chance to explore your world and see something with fresh eyes.

Nikhil Dey is a certified ICF coach and founder of soul2solecoaching. He is the first recipient of the ICF India coaching excellence rising star award.