What’s coaching all about?

Why is coaching important?

I have devoted myself to coaching for all my working life so I have to know that it is worthwhile. I am a great questioner, and constantly reflect on what I am doing to ensure I do not become stale. So here’s why I think coaching is an important tool. Coaching increases a person’s self-awareness. Through a set of careful and penetrating questions the coach can identify an individual’s strengths and weaknesses. The individual is encouraged to take on more responsibility for their own actions and, ultimately, they experience personal growth.

What’s coaching all about?

The cornerstones of good coaching are:

• effective listening
• acknowledgment of the issue
• ability to guide and move on

I’m not some guru with all the answers to every problem, but I am able to use a set of powerful questions which trigger off pertinent responses in my clients. My questions may make a client uncomfortable; they will certainly cause them to reflect deeply; they will stimulate surprising answers. To all of these responses I listen carefully. Often a client will not know the answer but I make sure I don’t jump in to rescue him. My questions are open-ended, and I will always discuss the ‘how’ of a situation rather than the ‘why’, which may suggest blame.

I try to empathise with the individual and identify what is happening beneath the mantle of words. I am always in a space of curiosity, delving more deeply into the problem to seek answers.

Once we have identified the issue which troubles the individual, I make sure that we acknowledge this. By recognising a person’s openness and honesty when confronting any weaknesses, they can shed this baggage and increase their confidence. We approach the problem together in a positive way. We look at all the options available; we discuss what worked and didn’t work for them in the past; we identify areas where extra support may be helpful and we continually prompt the question – “What else can be done?” As we dig deeper towards the root of the problem, solutions arrive on many different levels.

Finally, we identify the desired outcome and create a framework to enable the individual to be accountable. In this stage it is important that I, as the coach, am there merely to offer advice and guidance. The client must articulate a plan for the future which he finds achievable, created by him.

So how does this relate to you today?

Skills learned during a coaching session can be used by you as a manager. For instance, in conflict and resolution situations you can encourage openness and honesty. Challenge your team to put all the issues on the table. It may be uncomfortable for them, and also for you, if they question some of your decisions. But by listening to what they say; by recognising the problem, and by arriving at mutually satisfactory outcomes you’ll be laying the foundations for a culture of trust and respect.

So will I continue to coach? Absolutely. And can these coaching skills make a difference to you as a manger? You bet!

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Kool Results ... putting you firstPersonal & Business CoachingPhone: 08 8376 3492 Fax: 08 8376 3493 Mobile: 0438 017 873Email: fiona@koolresults.com.au Web: www.koolresults.com.au Blog: http://kool-results.blogspot.com

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