on Thu, 12/18/2014 - 10:07 by Anonymous (not verified)
Always a great debating point, Brian. A coach is supposed to help clients get to their own answers, but every customer survey says that the most-valued attribute in a coach is prior business experience. Balancing this dilemma - how much to facilitate and how much to advise - is a skill that comes with training and experience.In our team of former business leaders and in our nearly seventeen years of coaching leaders, we have found the solution to be as follows:We will ask open and closed questions and have conversations that usually lead the client to the obvious solution. BUT, if they are really not getting it, we then ask "What would happen if you tried this...?" or "Have you considered doing ....and how do you think it might work?"This more directive questioning is still coaching, in that it helps the client consider solutions that don't come naturally. However, occasionally, even that doesn't work.In those cases, we will offer solutions from our own experience, such as "When I was a CEO/CFO (or whatever) and was faced with a similar situation, this is what we did. How do you think this fits your issue and how do you think you can make it work?"By these means, we have never had to get to the point of simply giving direct advice.
To give or not to give...advice
Always a great debating point, Brian. A coach is supposed to help clients get to their own answers, but every customer survey says that the most-valued attribute in a coach is prior business experience. Balancing this dilemma - how much to facilitate and how much to advise - is a skill that comes with training and experience.In our team of former business leaders and in our nearly seventeen years of coaching leaders, we have found the solution to be as follows:We will ask open and closed questions and have conversations that usually lead the client to the obvious solution. BUT, if they are really not getting it, we then ask "What would happen if you tried this...?" or "Have you considered doing ....and how do you think it might work?"This more directive questioning is still coaching, in that it helps the client consider solutions that don't come naturally. However, occasionally, even that doesn't work.In those cases, we will offer solutions from our own experience, such as "When I was a CEO/CFO (or whatever) and was faced with a similar situation, this is what we did. How do you think this fits your issue and how do you think you can make it work?"By these means, we have never had to get to the point of simply giving direct advice.