Finding your way as a Coach

Welcome to the world of coaching.?

It was quite a task trying to find my way, in the first month.?

It is an interesting journey that sort of almost pulled me off the cliff initially, but I found my balance and started to toe the line of progress be a performance/life coach.?

To begin with, I come in from a consulting background were giving advice, and tips to succeed was the norm. The process orientation and the urge to share something with the opposite person always used to be out in play. Those 15 years of consulting experience always in the background, was the worst part. The challenge was?“Shaking the consulting monkey?“off my back.?

While the training sessions did emphasize the need to listen, talk less, question more, etc… the first two sessions were more of a disaster. The recordings shocked me, as I spoke close to 60% of the time. Based on this learning, I made a conscious attempt to cut down to a respectable 30% within the next two sessions.?

The next hurdle was the formalities of the disclosure of recording and noting down of the facts. While I did think they were ceremonial and could be done in the end, I later realized during the MC session that the client could get disturbed if not disclosed upfront.?

Second major learning – after the next couple of sessions, my peer coach said that I should not be summarising the session. I was doing it in the interest of the client, but it was intended to be the other way around based on their conviction and commitment to action planning.?

The next big thing to hit me was the outcomes and measures of success which was a tough one to crack in its true spirit. Armed with the feedback of my MCC, I tried a couple of sessions with a new learning. One of the sessions took close to 25 mins for the outcome finalization since the client wanted to pour out. The outcome and the measure of success spilled over to the next session which made me grasp the practical nuances of coaching and that not all sessions can be closed in 30 mins while the endeavour was to close out. Got to know that it was more of creating a powerful session than completion all activities within 30 minutes.?

The best was yet to come. As I progressed on the journey of maturity, I learned about the “AHA Moment” which could come at any time. Active listening and noting helped me achieve that with the insightful question and responses which many a time took place during the fag end of the session akin to an 85th-minute goal in a football session which was worth the wait.?

In all, as I reflect, there are many more things to learn. As the adage goes” Practice makes you perfect”, I am still in pursuit of the elusive mirage of a perfect coaching session which I believe I can gain mastery, just like rigorous penance.?

The Journey so far has been enriching with lots of reflections and course corrections from self, mentors, and peers. The resolve now is much better and the pursuit of being a successful coach holds promise.?

Author - Shivakumar K R