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| Coaching Conversations that Engage the Listener |
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by Mary Verstraete Check out the following ways that I have found helpful in talking about coaching. What have you found effective in explaining coaching to someone who is unfamiliar with coaching?
The profession of coaching has language that many people are not familiar with. For example, “Coaching is a co-partnership where the client is the expert.” This statement will not compute for most listeners without explanation. But, if you were to say, Coaching is a creative process between a coach and client where the client is supported in maximizing his personal and professional potential. It’s simple yet to the point, and it uses common language that will invite the listener to want to know “how” this is accomplished.
Why is this important? When we bring the person’s world into the picture, we can craft a statement that touches a person’s emotions or heart…and in turn connects to the intellect as well. Your listener can immediately apply the information to his or her own life. Two illustrations that touch both the emotions and the intellect: Life is challenging, and there are many unknowns. Coaching can move possibilities into reality by providing fresh perspectives in conversations with your coach that help you see farther than you might see on your own. Living in a challenging world is a truth that people can easily identify with—this touches the emotions. Coaching provides at least one answer, providing perspective so that they can see farther than they could on their own—this connects to the intellect. When we touch both head and heart, understanding occurs because people internally visualize the application to their life. We all need support and perspective in life. Support and perspective is the essence of coaching in achieving desired goals. This is a simple statement, but most people have felt the void, the lack of support and the feeling of being stuck without adequate perspective—this touches the person’s emotions. The answer to lack of support: coaching is all about support and perspective—this connects with the person’s logic, and again, connection takes place as the person visualizes the application in their life. The concept applied to a specific area where the person is in a leadership position: Leadership is challenging, and people skills are imperative [complicated?]. Today’s effective leader is a people-developer and relationship-builder who asks, "How can I help this person become more valuable as an individual--and as a team member?" It has been said that “a twenty-first century leader is a coach.” (xiii – Nicole add reference) People who have leadership positions will identify with the challenges of leadership and the importance of people skills—it touches their emotions. Following the statement with a question that connects to the intellect connects the dots and provokes curiosity from a good leader. Engaging in another person’s world says that we understand them. People want to be understood and know that we “get their world.” |