10 insights for coaches
Jean-Francois Cousin
Global Executive & Team Coach, MCC ? Keynote Speaker ? Author ? Former Chairman, ICF Global Board
Over the course of my coaching career, I had the privilege of serving great leaders who taught me more than I could have ever imagined; especially about how to coach them better!
I'm also grateful for the countless mistakes I am doing everyday as a coach, for the lessons learnt are invaluable too; and of course, they remind me that there's so much more to learn and improve!
In this two-part article series, I will first share 10 valuable insights for coaches to follow along their own careers. Enjoy!
#1 - Coaching is an act of unconditional love
Choose to love your Client’s inner Greatness… and it will emerge!
In other words, when you expect the best from your clients, they bring it on.
#2 - The definition of Coaching by the International Coach Federation is:
“Coaching is partnering with clients in a thought-provoking and creative process that inspires them to maximize their personal and professional potential.
Coaches honor others as creative, resourceful, and whole.”
Simply spot on right?
#3 - Be authentic, humble and vulnerable
That gives permission to your Clients to be the same, and then great coaching work can start!
#4 - Go deeper sooner
Be prompt to explore in depth what’s behind the issue a Client brings to the session.
#5 - Dance with your Client
Invite your Client to partner with you in co-creating the next steps of the session.
Ask her/him ‘what’s the best next question to ponder?’
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#6 - Silence is golden
Let silence do the heavy work; let your eyes ask the questions - they will not ‘pollute’ your Client’s thinking with extraneous words.
#7 - Step back enough
Notice the patterns in your Client’s thinking and behaviors; ask for permission to share them for your Client’s feedback ??
#8 - Make your Client your teacher, and just be a curious and demanding ‘student’
Great coaching unfolds when the coach invites the client to ‘teach’ the solution to the problem being explored.
#9 - Your intention matters a lot more than your questions
As long as your intention is to help and stretch your Client, s/he will do great work!
#10 - The less you ‘work’ in a session, the more you Client does, and that’s what matters
Because it is your Client who can - and must - do the best work!
?Which insight can you leverage to unleash even more of your success as a coach? I'd love to hear your thoughts and comments :)
Here's to your Greatness,
Jean-Francois Cousin?
Global Executive & Team Coach, MCC
Speaker, Author, Former Chairman of ICF Global Board
CEO and founder Cofipack Milano - Associate Certified Coach and Member of ICF Global - Business Coaching - Life coaching- Sviluppo organizzativo - Organization development and change
1 年This is wonderful. Thank you!
Executive Coach & thinking partner of CXOs ? Interview Prep mid-senior roles, Career coaching for Growth/Decisions/Transitions ? Global Employment Advisor, US Dept of State ? MentorCoach for ACC/PCC ? Former HR Director
1 年My beliefs, development areas, challenges as a coach, all in a row! What a list! Thank you Jean-Francois Cousin
Financial health Coach- ACC-CPC-CPA-MBA
1 年Très instructif. Merci Jean-Francois Cousin
Leadership Coach, Facilitator, Speaker | Spend less time on putting out the fires and more on strategy and growth
1 年Great reminders, Jean-Francois! It is so easy to slip into the "I need to help" mode, instead of staying in "My client is capable of helping themselves"
Revealing Your Inner Treasure. Regional Director at Leadership Embodiment. Developmental Instructor, Coach and Coach Mentor.
1 年Your Love shines through Jean-Francois ?? ??effortlessness?? emerges here across what you share. Letting go of agenda, that evokes trust and honours the other ??