“Coaching = ask the right questions, in the right order and… listen to the responses”
Coaching is a crucial strategy execution skills. If you have followed my blog, you know now that the best way to develop and maintain the ideal state of mind for performance is to build awareness and responsibility. They are the two key elements that your coaching should focus on.
COACHING: ASKING QUESTIONS IS KEY
Asking questions – rather than telling – is the best way to mentally engage your coachee. And as you are looking for the highest possible engagement from your coachee, asking questions therefore becomes your most important means of communication.
‘But what questions do I ask?’ might be the next question on your mind.
Well, your questions need to evoke awareness and responsibility with your coachee. Random questioning will not work.
EFFECTIVE QUESTIONING
Effective questioning can be broken down into two parts: asking the right questions and asking them in the right order. The GROW framework will help you to do this.
THE GROW COACHING MODEL
- G for Goal setting: define the short- and long-term goals
- R for Reality: explore the current situation
- O for Options: identify and evaluate different action strategies
- W for Will: what will you do by when?
The GROW coaching model offers the coach a simple, yet powerful, framework. It helps you to structure your interaction with your coachee.
The conversation can start at any one of the four stages of the GROW model. A coachee might begin by telling you about something s/he wants to achieve (Goal), a current problem (Reality), a new idea for improving things (Options) or by outlining an action plan (Will).
By itself, the particular order of questions will not help you to become a great coach. Each question should aim to increase your coachee’s awareness and responsibility. It’s the combination of context and sequence, along with lots of practice, that will make you a better coach.
