COACHING - > search, < download

When you hear the word “coach”, what comes to mind?

My context for “coaching” is through the lens of soccer. Many coaches through the years developed my technical and tactical knowledge and in my post-playing years (that’s a creative way of denying my age and predisposition toward injury) I’ve spent time being the coach.

Business coaching is different. I’ve had to adjust my understanding of effective coaching in the marketplace.

“Coaching” in most contexts implies a subject matter expert educating a willing subject in what they know. It assumes the one being coached is lacking. It creates hierarchy, justifications, insecurities, pressures and fears. Therefore, learning becomes more difficult. The science around learning, the conscious versus the unconscious mind and psychological safety is immense.

I’m all for word pictures and illustrations, so think about this. Most of us think of coaching like a USB drive that is plugged into our computer, subsequently downloading valuable content to our internal operating system. These downloads are necessary for our health, growth and development.

Instead, what if coaching was more like a search bar?

A search bar assumes that the answer lies within. The search bar allows me to find what I don't readily have access to. Where did I save that? How did I solve that before? What was that great article she sent me?

Coaching is about valuing people and pulling to the surface what is already within. Coaching assumes everyone has valuable knowledge within themselves and through the process of self-discovery individuals access this wisdom.

Ok, so get practical...how?

ANSWER:

Ask great questions and Create moments for memory

TIPS:

1. Avoid questions that can be answered by a YES or NO.
2. Avoid questions that start with WHY - people feel attacked and have a tendency to get defensive.
3. HOW is a great start. WHAT and WHEN work too.

SAMPLE QUESTIONS:

• How are you thinking about this? Tell me your thought process on that.
• How do you think that will work?
• How have other people approached this before?
• How do you think you could improve?
• How could you still accomplish this differently?
• What are some other ways you could approach this?
• What would so-and-so do in this situation?
• When have you seen this work before?

REMEMBER: It's Always About People!