The Coaching Conversation Model

A conversation model positions a manager or coach to have a framework to accomplish things. For example, when we converse with people socially, we typically do not think about steps or milestones that we need to accomplish in a conversation. Nevertheless, when it comes to coaching, there are specific things that we want to accomplish. First, a coach or a manager who is coaching must first seek to understand, and the only way we can understand and learn more about the people we're coaching is to ask questions. So one of the milestones should be to learn about people's strengths, their opportunities to improve, and their personal goals. Second, we must practice. Nobody can improve any type of skill set or the confidence that goes with those skill sets, without practicing. So when I think about conversation models when coaching, I think about two fundamental things, learning and practice. If employees were more understood, and we facilitated practice where they could specifically improve, and we provided positive reinforcement, wouldn't the workplace be a better place?

Here is a four-step model we teach in our progress coaching training system.

1. The first conversation we teach is at the awareness stage. This is where we build awareness to an employee of an opportunity to improve. For example, if we have an employee who has a negative attitude, the opportunity is to have a positive attitude and a much happier place to work and engage. After the awareness stage, we deploy the conversation model.
2. The conversation model is as follows.

• Step one: Learning project.
• Step two: Discussion. This is where we use our coaching questions.
• Step three: Activity. An activity is something that we do to facilitate the practicing of a skill or the dissemination of knowledge.
• The fourth and final step is a Learning project. A learning project is something that is completed in-between coaching sessions outside of the coaching session, building accountability for the employer, the person being coached, and to ultimately maintain a continuous learning perspective.

Audio Overview of this Conversation Model: https://soundcloud.com/progresscoaching/4-step-coaching-model-model

Learn more about our Progress Coaching Training system at this Friday's webcast on August 25th on Friday, 25 August 2017, at 11:00 am: click here