Lumination® Coaching Game 

No. Lumination® is actually a great way to introduce people to coaching. Coaching questions are built into the game, so people experience coaching without the need for prior training.

Yes. Many organisations use Lumination® as part of their coach training programme because it gives trainee coaches the opportunity to practise coaching without having to come up with the ‘perfect’ coaching question. 

“I would say for new coaches or those in training Lumination® is invaluable… it is a great way for them to start asking powerful questions without having to worry about what questions they should ask.… Lumination® is the equivalent to a pair of stabilisers!” (Jo Channon, Talent Team, People and Culture, British Transport Police)

Yes, it’s a great tool to bring a team together to coach each other on individual and team challenges. Each game can be played with up to six participants. It is also a great way for team members to get to know each other and build relationships.

However, Lumination® is not recommended as the first intervention to address team conflict where more complicated dynamics between team members are likely to need inputs such as mediation or similar. 

Yes! With a team project or challenge, each person brings their own question to Lumination® so team members can coach and support each other as the game progresses.

Yes, it’s possible to play Lumination® with multiple games running at the same time. So you can work with say 20 -25 people, with 4 – 5 sets of Lumination® and one facilitator. 

The Lumination® board is in two sections so it is possible to play a long or a short game. Example timings – a short game with 4 people could take approximately 1.5 – 2 hours. A full game with 4 people could take approximately 2.5 – 3 hours. A 1-1 session can easily be covered in an hour.  These timings are approximate. A facilitator can manage the time – allowing longer or shorter discussions.

In general people come away from a Lumination® session with greater clarity, confidence and the courage to make a change. 

Each participant brings a challenge or issue they want to focus on during the game. Through the coaching questions, input from fellow players, and the facilitation, players come away with new insights and perspectives, clear actions and increased motivation to put them into practice.

People often say they feel lighter after taking part, and that what seemed like a hurdle or challenge has disappeared or just feels doable in a way it hadn’t previously.

Participants also often say they have a better understanding of their colleagues following a Lumination® session. Taking part can build relationship and support people to make new connections. We know of at least one project which has been initiated between two organisations following a conversation that happened during a Lumination® session!   

Yes! Lumination® is a great tool for 1-1 coaching. We recommend the coach checks the pack of Game Cards and removes any which they would not want to include. For example, the coach does not take the role of ‘player’, so they might want to remove cards which refer to ‘another player’ or ‘miss a go’.

For those new to Lumination® and new to coaching we recommend facilitation. However, for experienced coaches and facilitators, Lumination® can be used as a peer group exercise. 

In principle, yes! However, like coaching, it does not necessarily suit everyone. Lumination® requires a degree of openness and willingness to see situations in a new way. Participants need to be willing and able to engage in a self-reflective conversation where assumptions may be challenged at times, and big questions posed. This approach does not work for everyone.

Lumination® does not involve advice-giving or explaining how to coach.