Ikigai Coaching: Core Competencies for Purpose

Author: Ram S. Ramanathan MCC

Ikigai, a Japanese concept often misunderstood in the West, offers a profound framework for finding purpose in life. While many people mistakenly associate it with the popular Venn diagram showing intersections of passion, mission, profession, and vocation, the original Japanese understanding of Ikigai is much simpler and carries a lot more depth. 

In this blog, we'll explore how coaches can use the authentic Ikigai concept, combined with a core competency approach, to help people discover their life's purpose. We'll use practical, real-life examples to illustrate these ideas.

Understanding True Ikigai

In Japanese, "Ikigai" translates roughly to "a reason for being" or "that which makes life worth living." Unlike the Westernized version, it doesn't necessarily relate to one's career or income. Instead, it's about finding joy in life through purpose, regardless of whether that purpose is tied to work or not.

For the Japanese, Ikigai can be as simple as a hobby, a relationship, or a daily ritual that brings satisfaction and meaning. It's not about grand achievements or societal recognition, but rather the small, everyday things that make one's heart sing.

Core Competencies: A Foundation for Purpose

Core competencies are the fundamental skills and abilities that a person possesses. They can be natural talents or developed expertise. When coaching someone to find their Ikigai, focusing on these competencies can be incredibly powerful. By identifying and nurturing these strengths, individuals can align their daily activities with their innate abilities, leading to a greater sense of purpose and fulfillment.

Coaching with Ikigai and Core Competencies: A Practical Approach

1. Self-Reflection and Discovery

The first step in coaching someone to find their Ikigai through core competencies is to guide them through a process of self-reflection. This involves helping them identify their natural talents, acquired skills, and the activities that bring them joy.

Example: Sarah, a marketing executive, felt unfulfilled in her career. Through coaching sessions focused on self-reflection, she realized that her core competencies included creative problem-solving, empathy, and clear communication. She also discovered that she found great joy in mentoring younger colleagues, even though it wasn't part of her official job description.

2. Aligning Competencies with Daily Life

Once core competencies are identified, the next step is to help the individual find ways to incorporate these strengths into their daily life, both personally and professionally.

Example: Building on Sarah's realization, her coach helped her brainstorm ways to integrate more mentoring into her work life. She approached her manager about starting a formal mentoring program within the company, allowing her to use her communication and empathy skills more regularly.

3. Finding Joy in Small Moments

True Ikigai often lies in the simple pleasures of life. Coaches can help individuals recognize and appreciate these moments, especially when they align with their core competencies.

Example: Tom, a software engineer, identified patience and attention to detail as two of his core competencies. His coach helped him see how these traits could bring joy outside of work. Tom started practicing bonsai cultivation, finding immense satisfaction in the slow, meticulous process of shaping the tiny trees.

4. Embracing Continuous Growth

Ikigai isn't a static concept; it evolves as we grow and change. Coaches should encourage clients to continuously develop their core competencies and explore new areas of interest.

Example: Maria, a retired teacher, always had a knack for organizing and planning. In retirement, she felt lost without her daily classroom routines. Her coach suggested she explore volunteer opportunities that utilized these skills. Maria began organizing community events and found a renewed sense of purpose in coordinating local festivals and charity drives.

5. Balancing Multiple Sources of Ikigai

It's important to recognize that Ikigai doesn't have to come from a single source. Coaches can help individuals find multiple avenues for purpose and joy.

Example: Alex, an accountant, loved his job but felt something was missing. Through coaching, he identified analytical thinking and problem-solving as core competencies. While these served him well in his career, he also discovered a passion for strategy games. Alex joined a local board game group, finding additional fulfillment in applying his skills in a social, non-work context.

6. Overcoming Societal Pressure

Often, people feel pressured to find their purpose in their careers or to achieve certain societal benchmarks. Coaches can help clients break free from these expectations and focus on what truly brings them joy.

Example: Jessica, a successful lawyer, always felt she should be striving for partner status at her firm. However, coaching revealed that her true joy came from her core competency of creative expression. With her coach's support, Jessica gave herself permission to pursue painting as a serious hobby, finding immense fulfillment in this artistic outlet without feeling the need to monetize it or change careers.

7. Integrating Ikigai into Work Life

While Ikigai doesn't have to be about work, for many people, finding ways to bring their source of joy into their professional lives can be transformative.

Example: David, a sales representative, identified relationship-building as a core competency. He loved connecting with people but felt constrained by the transactional nature of his job. His coach helped him reframe his role, focusing on building genuine, long-term relationships with clients rather than just closing deals. This shift in perspective reignited David's passion for his work.

8. Embracing Cultural Differences

Coaches working with the Ikigai concept should be sensitive to cultural differences in how purpose and fulfillment are perceived.

Example: Mei, a first-generation immigrant from China, struggled with balancing her family's expectations of success with her own desire for fulfillment. Her coach helped her explore how her core competencies of adaptability and cross-cultural communication could be sources of Ikigai, both in her career and in bridging understanding between her two cultures.

9. Finding Purpose in Service

Many people find their Ikigai in being of service to others or to a cause greater than themselves. Coaches can help individuals explore how their core competencies can be used to make a positive impact.

Example: John, a retired military veteran, felt lost without the sense of mission he had in service. His coach helped him identify leadership and crisis management as core competencies. John began volunteering with a disaster relief organization, finding a new purpose in applying his skills to help communities in need.

10. Balancing Challenge and Skill

Ikigai often emerges when there's a balance between the challenge of an activity and one's skill level. Coaches can guide clients to find this sweet spot.

Example: Lisa, a graphic designer, felt bored with her current projects. Her coach helped her identify innovation as a core competency and encouraged her to seek out more challenging assignments that pushed the boundaries of her skills. This reignited Lisa's passion for her work and led to a sense of flow and purpose in her daily tasks.

Taking Action: Your Journey to Ikigai Starts Now

The original Japanese concept of Ikigai, when combined with a focus on core competencies, offers a powerful framework for coaching individuals towards a more purposeful and joyful life. By helping clients identify their strengths, align them with daily activities, and find joy in both personal and professional spheres, coaches can guide people towards a deeper understanding of what makes their lives worth living.

This approach recognizes that purpose doesn't have to be grand or world-changing; it can be found in the simple, everyday moments that bring satisfaction and contentment. By embracing this perspective, individuals can cultivate a sense of Ikigai that enriches their lives, regardless of external circumstances or societal expectations.

As coaches, the goal is not to prescribe a one-size-fits-all solution, but to facilitate a journey of self-discovery and alignment. By helping clients tap into their core competencies and find ways to express them in various aspects of life, we can guide them towards a more authentic, fulfilling existence – one where they wake up each day with a clear sense of purpose and joy.

Want to become a master of helping others find their Ikigai? Our ICF Level 2 + ACTC program equips you with the tools and knowledge to guide clients on their journey of self-discovery and fulfillment. Deepen your coaching skills and become a catalyst for transformation. Visit our website or write to us at support@coacharya.com to schedule a free consultation.