Coaching is quite the buzzword lately. But what is it?
Coaching is many things. In essence, it is a way of being with people that empowers them to move forward with what they want.
There is so much more to it AND it really is this simple. Imagine where in your life it would be valuable to be with people so they are empowered to get what they want – with your kids? Your spouse? Your sister? Your employees? Your boss?
BEING coach, tip #1, has us starting with the concept of “meeting people where they are.” It means to see what is occurring with people and to acknowledge it. For example, if you want to give an assignment to an employee and they do not look up from their computer, rather than talk to them anyway, you might say, “You seem busy.” You might wait to get their attention instead of talking at them. You might slow down and acknowledge what you see in front of you. You might sit down with them for a moment.
If you are making a plan with a friend and she seems sad or angry, to meet her would be to ask about it. Rather than carry on with plan-making, you might say, “You seem like something is bothering you.”
So often we are busy and hurried or don’t want to know what is going on with other people. We pretend not to see. Or we really do not see. And yet, to slow down and pay attention is one of the best ways to create strong relationships. Even from a practical communication standpoint, to acknowledge (and even ask about) how a person is doing, or whether they are ready to talk to you, before conveying information will make them more open to hearing you. Plus, this will save you time. Make you more effective.
At the end of the day, coaching tools and “ways of being” do so much. But mostly, they support stronger relationships, which impacts all of your life – from your family to your friends to your work.
Coaching Tool
Try this. Start to pay attention to people. Closely. Even if you do not ask how they are, note it for yourself. Is this person ready to talk to me right now? What am I not seeing when I look at them? What is the most important thing for me to pay attention to right now?
More tips are coming! And other ways to learn. Read on.
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If you are interested in learning more about the coaching skill set, join us on January 23, for our first in a series called Game Changer: How Coaching Can Help you to Level Up! This workshop is the first in a monthly series on coaching skills for the non-coach. It will also introduce you to coaching itself – as a career path, as a way to manage more effectively in your organization and as a way to discover what you truly want in your life. Click here to learn more: Game Changer | McLaren Coaching – Capture Your Success
