Laser Coaching

Laser Coaching –  Try it!

All of us can be a coach. Here are a few steps you can use.

First step: Recognising a coaching opportunity

In my experience it’s a waste of time to seek out a coachee – to want to help. The coachee must first be receptive to receiving coaching support. Look for signals. Does he/her make a specific request for help. If not avoid Coaching. I cannot over stress this point.

Second step: Agree to a Coaching session formally

Ask, ‘Would you like me to be a coach to you on this issue? Are you happy for us to spend 20-30 minutes discussing this?’. Make sure the coachee is happy to contract with you on the coaching intervention.

Step three: Choose time and space and prepare for the coaching session

Try and sit at right angle to each other, with a note pad and pencil. Choose a place which is quiet and where you would not be disturbed.

Begin the coaching:

1.     Sunitha, what would you like to discuss with me over the next 20-30 minutes?

2.     If we had a great discussion, what would be the key outcomes you would hope for at the end of 20 minutes?

3.     On a scale of 1-10, how important is this issue to you? Help me understand why you have rated it in this way?

4.     You describe this issue as a ‘problem’; share with me what would you like the solution to look like, if it was fully resolved?

5.     I can understand how important this issue is for you. What steps have you taken already to find a solution?

6.     Great, it seems you have taken several initiatives already. Let’s discuss what are all of the options available to you to deal with this issue?

7.     Let’s list out on your pad – option 1, option 2 and so on.

8.     Another way of asking this could be: - tell me, what is the one thing you know you should do More of/Less of ?

9.     If the client is unable to generate options help by asking: If you asked your friend to offer a suggestion, what might he say? Or how did you resolve a situation like this in the past? Or how would a ‘hero’ of yours resolve this issue?

10. Once you have generated 5-6 options ask, ‘which option(s) would work best for you? Why?

Move to the stage of choosing an action

1.     How would you go about putting this into action? What is the specific action you would take?

2.     What changes would you make in your routine to accommodate this action?

3.     What difficulties might you face to implement these actions? Would could you possibly do to mitigate this?

Move to self review and assessment

1.     How would you monitor and assess if you are following through on your action plan? What monitoring tool works best for you?

2.     How would you assess the effectiveness of your plan?

3.     What can I do to help you?

Move to Closure

1.     We are close to the end of 20 minutes. Let’s wind this session down…what are the key takeaways for you from this discussion?

2.     How do you feel right now? Are you happy for us to wind down this session now?

3.     Finally acknowledge the client for something positive you observed and close the session.