Short Guide: The Impulse Cards by coachingzeugs in coachingspace
Thought-provoking, perspective-widening questions are an essential tool in every coach's toolbox. The question cards by coachingzeugs bring structure to the conversation while opening up new perspectives. In coachingspace, two topic areas from the "Power-Set" are available to you: 15 systemic questions on Strengths and 15 on Resources.
The digital version of these question cards works excellently in coachingspace, and it even has a few advantages over the physical card set.
What are the advantages of working with impulse cards in the virtual room?
In an in-person coaching room, a full card layout needs table space, tidying up after every session and, if a card is meant to stay face down, an actual second card to cover it. In the virtual room these hurdles disappear:
Work together regardless of location: coach and client see the same layout at the same time, no matter where either of them is sitting.
Duplicate as often as you like: a card back can be duplicated with a click instead of being copied or printed. That is also what makes laying cards face down (see below) practical.
Enlarge instead of reprinting: the SIZE slider brings a single card to the front, for example for a check-in.
Labels stay in place: answers written on a card remain visible for the rest of the session and can be captured as an image at the end.
Combinable with figures: the figures at the edge of the table can be named and oriented, turning the card work into a small systemic constellation.
How can the cards be used digitally in a meaningful way?
Under "Methods", choose "Impulse Cards" and set up the set you want. A card is selected and labeled via the NAME field at the bottom of the screen, and the SIZE slider brings it to the front. The figures at the edge of the table can likewise be named and oriented toward a viewing direction.
Important for laying cards face down: there is no way to flip an individual card over. If you want to lay the questions face down, duplicate the card back several times and place one copy over each question. To reveal a question, the back is then moved aside. That costs you two extra minutes of preparation time, so it is best to set the field up before the session.
Three ways of working from Sophie Schlömann
Sophie Schlömann, who developed the cards, mainly uses three approaches in her own practice:
Check-in. A single, enlarged card is ready when your client enters the room.
Question Game. Lay the cards face down (see the note above) and let your client draw. You did not ask the question, it emerged on its own.
Structure Giver. Work through an entire set and label each card with the answer. This builds a complete strengths or resources profile.
Practice example: a complete resources profile using the Structure Giver method
Here is what the Structure Giver method looks like once it is finished: all 15 resources cards lie face up on the table, and each one carries the personal answer as its label instead of the original question. "What are you grateful for?" becomes "Health, my children", "What gives you energy?" becomes "Being with others", "What do you like most about yourself?" becomes "Never-give-up attitude", "What is going really well right now?" becomes "Running".
What is left in the room is not a single answer but the complete picture of a resources profile, visible throughout the whole session and easy to capture as a screenshot at the end, for example in the client's journal.
Frequently asked questions about the impulse cards by coachingzeugs
Which sets are available in coachingspace?
From the Power-Set by coachingzeugs, the topic areas Strengths and Resources are available, with 15 question cards each.
Can I lay the cards face down during a session?
Yes, though not by flipping them. Duplicate the card back and place one copy over each question, then move the back aside to reveal it. It is best to prepare this before the session.
Can clients draw and label the cards themselves?
Yes. You work together in the same virtual room, and every person can view, draw and label cards via the NAME field.
Who is behind the impulse cards?
The cards were created by Sophie Schlömann and her brand coachingzeugs, whose Power-Set offers 60 inspiring question cards for coaching, training and reflection.
Can the impulse cards be combined with other methods?
Yes. Through the nameable figures at the edge of the table, the card work combines well with the constellation board or the positioning cards.
Try it now
You will find the impulse cards by coachingzeugs in coachingspace under the "Impulse Cards" method. If you would like to see the cards in action: in our free live demo we show the method in use. Register for free now
