The House of Consciousness

The House of Consciousness is a metaphorical tool used in coaching and facilitation to help individuals or groups gain a deeper understanding of a situation through reflection, observation and interpretation.

Its main purpose is to create awareness of the various elements that influence the achievement of a goal, bringing to light factors that may be operating at an unconscious level.

By visualizing the situation as a "house" with different components (goals, gaps, bridges, etc.), it facilitates a structured analysis that allows identifying both challenges and opportunities, as well as different ways of looking at the problem.

It is particularly useful for exploring the difference between desired and actual results.

Visualizing Goals, Gaps, Bridges and Perspectives

The structure of the House of Conscience invites us to visualize and analyze different key aspects of a situation or objective:

• Desired Outcomes / Objectives: what do you want to achieve? Define the desired future state, the ultimate goal.
• Gaps: What are the differences or distances between the current situation and the desired results? Identifies the deficits or gaps.
• Bridges: What actions, resources or strategies can help close these gaps and achieve the desired results? These are the enablers or potential solutions.
• Situations: What contextual factors or current circumstances may have generated the present results or influence the future? Describe the environment and background.
• Perspectives: What are the different ways of viewing or interpreting the situation, gaps or bridges? Encourages consideration of multiple points of view, recognizing subjectivity.

This breakdown helps to gain a more complete and nuanced understanding, similar to a risk analysis or SWOT, identifying both obstacles and paths forward.

Fostering Individual and Group Awareness

The fundamental value of the House of Consciousness lies in its ability to bring unconscious elements to consciousness, both at the individual and group level.

Often, barriers to change or goal achievement are not apparent.

Upon structured reflection on the situation (the gaps, the perspectives), hidden assumptions, fears, patterns or dynamics are revealed.

Making the unconscious conscious is the first step to being able to address it effectively, similar to how in psychology or even in risk management (identifying unknown unknowns), problem recognition is essential to its solution.

In a group environment, this tool is especially powerful, as it fosters shared understanding and aligns perspectives.

It also enhances team integration as they work together to "build" their house of awareness, promoting a sense of collective ownership over challenges and solutions.

Summary

The House of Consciousness is a metaphorical tool used in coaching. It helps individuals or groups gain a deeper understanding of a situation.

Its purpose is to create awareness of the various elements that influence a goal. It facilitates a structured analysis that identifies challenges and opportunities.

Visualizes key components such as Desired Results, Gaps, Bridges and Perspectives. Promotes individual and group awareness by revealing hidden assumptions.