But a coaching conversation can also lead to the best learning you will ever have and the best decisions you will ever make.
Another “but” is that coaching is not for everyone.? Some people have too much vanity or are too unwilling to be vulnerable?to gain from a coaching relationship.? Others have too little self-awareness or too little self-discipline.
So what is coaching actually about?? It goes like this: in our own heads we may be able to devise reasonable options—especially when we are relaxed and reflective.? When we write these options down, we get clarity.? When we explain to an attentive listener with acute questioning skills, more options will arise; a momentum develops.? Other markers are:
- Accountability, which is demanded by the coach: “You said that you would do ____, how did that go?” “What is your next action?”?
- Action-orientation—having a methodology and the accountability for testing the crazy ideas, forming options, acknowledging the intensely personal; then taking action.
- Advice—the coach resists the urge to solve a problem for the coachee, instead probing for option generation and self-reflection.
- Ego?is set aside in the pursuit of developing many stimulating options.
- Experience/age difference is irrelevant, as the emphasis is on methodology, challenge and accountability.
- Flow of knowledge—coaching is dynamic in both directions and the conversation may stimulate further discovery and pursuit of knowledge and understanding. Conversation is the currency of coaching.
- Frame of Reference—content is determined by what is on the?coachee’s?mind, stimulated by the coach asking “what is the most important thing for us to discuss?”
- Innovation—there is a vigorous examination and creation of options, leading to exciting choices; where to dwell in the past is largely a waste of time and energy.
- Questioning, which is the coach’s main tool with each question being more challenging than the previous; stimulating creative answers from the coachee.
So if you are thinking that you will engage a coach, or even if you already have one, wouldn't it be useful to get a reading on whether you are cut out for it?? I have designed 20 Coachability Questions, but…
Write the numerals 1-20 and use these scores: ? Always 3 pts. ?Often 2 pts. ?Sometimes 1 pt. ?Never 0 pts.? Move at a steady pace, give each your fairest assessment:
- I set clear goals and follow a plan to achieve them.
- I make time for reflection to increase my learning opportunities.
- I am open to being challenged by anyone.
- In a conflict, I focus on the?process, rather than blaming the person,
- When things go wrong, I ask myself “What can?I?do to make this better?”.
- I seek to balance time and energy spent on work, family and social activities.
- I never take myself too seriously.
- I constantly seek to build templates for success.
- I am open to giving and receiving feedback.
- I do what I say I will do.
- In a team I take on more than my share of the load.
- I seek continuous improvement in all that I do.
- I rely on leadership by influence rather than by positional power.
- I constantly seek new, positive experiences.
- I am willing to share my knowledge and assist others to learn.
- I honour confidentiality fairly made.
- I manage my energy, tasks and time each day.
- I believe that people who hold different values to mine do not know what they want.
- I hold myself and others accountable for all commitments made.
- I seldom admit to mistakes.
?What does my score mean? ??
·????? 60-51: ?You are?vain, unwilling to be vulnerable?and uncoachable. ?
·????? 50-21: ?We have something to work with. ?
·????? 20-11: ?You may wish to find something easier to do. ?
·????? 10-0: ? ?You have?no self-awareness, no self-discipline and are uncoachable.
But seriously, if you feel that we do have something to work with, let’s talk?
If you want to find out more about how we can use a coaching program to help your business get to the next level ?– please book in a call to chat – click on this link.
