Sleeve Notes
From time to time, when I hear/see on TV something like...
"Coming up, we have our lifestyle/intimacy/relationship/men's/women's coach"
...my ears prick up.
I look forward to hearing from other Coaches, their perspectives and in particular, the type of open questions they ask in their field of coaching.
What I am not expecting to hear from a coach is a flurry of closed questions, suggestions, advice and an absence of open questions that would help to empower the recipient.
'What a Difference a Coach Makes' - Playlist
Open questions to help the client create greater/new/exciting/different possibilities for themselves.
Coach keeps the ownership and empowerment, firmly in the clients hands.
Coach supports client to make their best, even better, without telling them what to do.
Coach listens/looks for verbal and visual clues to ask helpful and useful questions of the client.
Questions during the bulk of a coaching conversation begin with Who?, What?, When?, Where?, How? and occasionally...Why?
Coaches are not the expert, clients are...they just might not know it yet!
Coaches are not employed to give advice, make assumptions, hold judgement or have their own agenda. They may give examples, use coaching tools, create hypothetical situations and help clients to imagine their future.
In addition, Coaches are employed to demonstrate empathy, provide challenge & accountability.
The Download
As I have mentioned in previous blogs, there is of course a place for Advisers, Mentors, Experts, Trainers etc.
However, If you are going to call yourself a 'Coach', especially in media circles, I kindly ask you to demonstrate the skills a Coach should have.
This will help to reduce the mixed messaging being received by audiences on what coaching actually is.
Comentários