If you're after self-improvement at all you've probably sought out a coach. These days it's cool to have a coach. Whatever your goal, great progress can be made with a coach. What about when someone asks you for help? Or you're in a role that requires you to guide others? What will your approach be? What will your style be? For me, it's helpful to start from the beginning, perhaps it will help you too as you consider how to bring the best version of yourself to the role of coach.
I'm just Karl from Branson, Missouri. I'm human and am going to make mistakes. What I know compared to Google or ChatGPT is very, very little. Every guided decision made as a coach will (hopefully) be what's best for the individual or team I'm working with. It may not be what's best for me or a member of the team. If it's best for the person or team then it's the best decision at that time.
What I do know is that you don't have to be better or smarter than someone to coach them. You just have to courageously care about them. We won't always have the education for every situation. Our strong character and values will pull us through. Coaching is having the courage to show up authentically as ourselves in service to others. This displays the proper vulnerability in our sharing and caring.
Coaching is...
The work you do as a coach is a lot like parenting. You protect, guide, and nurture. You will help others protect themselves and their team to set aside the necessary time they need for their work. You will guide them through challenging situations. These situations create pressure which serves as the catalyst for growth. You will nurture people and teams as you coach not to who they are today but to who they can be in the future.
Your style
Your philosophies will come out in your coaching. Be yourself. The best way to stay focused on being the best version of myself in serving others is to lean on my personal leadership philosophy.
It’s not about you & It’s all about you.
It’s not about you, it’s about what you’re doing for others. It’s all about you because your behaviors provide evidence of your authentic intentions. These are inseparable.
Pressure Release
During coaching, it may feel like you’re alone at times. Like you have to help with an idea or come up with solutions to challenges. You don’t. Take this pressure off of your coaching. Others have the answers inside themselves or they will be revealed through collaboration with their team members. When they're frustrated with something it's likely not in their scope of experience, training, or education. This is a great time to engage with others on the team for inspiration.
Motivational Interviewing
You might be familiar with the acronym O.A.R.S. which is commonly used with Motivational Interviewing. This framework can also be very helpful to say aligned with intentions to serve others.
O = Open-ended Questions
These help others explore their thoughts, experiences, and feelings about what’s being discussed. Here are some examples...
- What is the best thing about this situation for you? The Team?
- What is the worst thing about this situation for you? The Team?
- What would you like to do more?
- What would you like to do differently?
With honest & respectful communication they will reveal what they're ready for. This is where their intrinsic motivation is.
A = Affirmation
This is you noticing and bringing up something positive you heard in the conversation. You're indicating you've heard them.
R = Reflection
This is you offering a guess as to what they’ve brought up in your conversation in the form of a statement.
S = Summary
This is you letting them know you have been following them, tracking them in what they’ve told you in your discussion. You're engaged and interested in them.
These don't have to be done in sequence and can be deployed at any time during your time together. When done authentically, they are each powerful communication skills.
Clarity at the Ending
We don’t ever get clarity, we’re always seeking it. Because of this, the way we end our time together is of paramount importance. Answering this question is a great way to ensure clarity for today and the action steps are agreed upon.
Who is going to do what by when and how will we follow up?
Coaching is all about going alongside people and teams on their journey. Helping them realize their goals and dreams. This African proverb helps keep me focused on my intention:
"If you want to go fast, go alone.
If you want to go far, go together."
We weren't meant to go through life alone, we were meant to go with others. It's with others we can rise with the challenges life brings our way. Because ultimately as coaches:
"We rise by lifting others." -Robert Ingersoll
Comments (0)