Transcript

Coach Training Micromodule
What is coaching?
February 26, 2002 - 3:00 p.m. EST
Thomas Leonard, session leader

TJL: Welcome; this is Thomas Leonard. With me are…

DB: Dave Buck

Susan: And Susan Austin.

TJL: We're going to be doing our best to sound intelligent about this topic, but we'll d our best. On the printed version of this worksheet, you'll see some examples. Susan, you have a story to begin.

Susan: Last year I was at a coaching conference and someone came up and asked who we were, and he asked what coaching was. Here we were, a group of experienced coaches, and we couldn't articulate on any level; the person walked away more confused. I've been trying to get my arms around it ever since.

TJL: Well, you're not alone. We're going to work through a bit of that - there isn't currently a single definition of coaching. We're just not there in terms of the scope. In the meantime, we'll be talking about our best attempts today. Also, another truth about coaching is that trying to define coaching may not be the best approach. Maybe it's more important to help your clients define what they want in life. 

We are going to start by going through a list of things that a coach is. We'll describe a bit about the role of a coach and in step 2 we're going t make a list of some of the benefits of coaching and step 3 we're going to make a list that combines elements from step 1 and step 2. Some of these will be included in the worksheet that comes with this.

DB: This doesn't come with a caveat! You can actually try this at home.

TJL: Yes! Again, we did some polling of the R&D team and some others and have some pretty cool stuff. First, I'm going to read from something I put together a couple of years ago. A professional coach is your partner in achieving business and personal goals. Your champion during a turnaround. Your trainer in communication and life skills. Your sounding board in making life choices. Your unconditional support when you take a hit. Your mentor in personal development. Your co-designer in creating an extra project. Your beacon during stormy times. Your wake-up call when you can't hear your own alarm.

DB: Good stuff! 

TJL: That's how we're going to approach step 1. Dave, will you talk about step 2?

DB: Some of the obvious benefits of coaching - your goals can be reach more quickly by using a coach.

TJL: That's an important one - people are in a hurry today. In certain cultures coaching is a competitive adv. It's really an edge, especially in Asia.

DB: And it's great to be perceived that way. Another thing with your goals, you can also help people make sure their goals are in line with their values and dreams. 

TJL: So, also the level of fitting is important. 

DB: That's exactly right. 

TJL: A lot of my clients have come to me with 3-4 goals and within an hour they've either abandoned them or moved them to a place that's become self-aspiring. 

Susan: Another benefit is that you can help people think bolder than themselves. A coach can help you think bigger and give you the encouragement to go for it.

DB: Another side is that a coach can help with prioritization or re-prioritization. I think they help people think about what their values are, versus the values of others.

TJL: A lot of times their priorities are based on urgency, and if they are, you're never get ahead of yourself. 

DB: Then, anther element is that once you have that goal and have priorities, then there's the whole thing about the sounding board nature, someone who understand and can think bigger with you. 

TJL: There are plenty of intelligent people out there who can help you tease out an idea, but how many of them have your best interests at stake?

DB: Yes, and then also when you're taking on a big project, you can get stuck. A coach can help you get unstuck and be more resourceful and creative. 

Susan: For me, one thing I've gotten from working with my coach is that she can see my strengths way better than I ever could. 

DB: Yes, people have blind spots and a coach can help you see the obvious. Sometimes that's all you need to get past the block. We all take our strengths and some of our talents for granted.

TJL: Another thing is that coaches help us become more creative. Creativity itself is something we don't really have developed in our lives; we've been trained to conform. If creativity equals future profitability, then a coach can make a real difference in your life. 

DB: Really good point. That's great. As a culture, it's been about trying to fit in, and that's where the security was. As we evolve further, it's actually the ones who find a way to be distinct that will survive, and where are you going to find it? That's what coaches do.

TJL: And that's the first 2 steps. The 3rd step is to try and identify what coaching is. I've gone through some of the things from step 1 and 2 and tried to connect them. Coaching is a proven support system for success. Here's another example. A coach is your mentor in personal development. Another one is - coaching is an accelerant for personal development. Coaching is a professional service. Coaching is a collaborative partnership where the focus is on the client's goals. Coaching is a structure or support for problem-solving. Coaching is an insurance policy for mediocrity. Those are a couple we came up with. Dave, anything to add?

DB: I was thinking about coaching is a confidential relationship to support bold expression.

TJL: Good. The trick is to start putting something together and we can then fine-tune it.

Susan: If someone would stop you on the street, what would you say?

TJL: Coaching is a collaborative partnership where the client sets the goal and the coach helps them reach it. Also, sometimes I use the word 'faster' to emphasize the relationship and give it more edge. Great. Any final comments, Dave?

DB: I usually say that a coach is someone who brings out the best parts of you that you haven't even recognized. It's more goal-oriented.

TJL: A coach is someone who helps you have it all without having to pay the price everyone has to pay. Susan, any comments for you?

Susan: I guess just realizing there isn't one universal definition. My family has no clue!

TJL: Thank you Dave; thank you, Susan. This ends the first part of our taping.

(moment of silence)

TJL: We're still being taped. We're going to do a couple things at this point for the next 15-20 minutes. First, I'd like to how the first part has been beneficial to you?

Mary Pat:
The thing that occurs to me is that people ask me - especially in a corporate arena - what my coaching approach is. I'm reluctant to answer that, and I think your response 'coaching is' is really helpful.

TJL: And what do you say?

Mary Pat:
It's a client-directed process where I help them to articulate their goals and help them understand the obstacles there and help them work around them. 

TJL: But they also want to know your approach because there are different ways to approach it. Would you want more language around what that is?

Mary Pat:
Yes. 

TJL: That's great; thanks. Who else has learned something interesting?

XXX: I'm happy to know that it's not just because I'm a new coach that it's difficult to explain it to my mother! What I got from here is that I can put a lot of that together….

TJL: Great; who's next?

Shari: I think it's good to understand there are several definitions. It's nice to hear all these definitions! I'd like to send it to my dad!

XXX: Talking about what coaching is has caused me to have conversations at a deeper level than before I told them I was a coach. They're asking questions and being more intimate than they're comfortable being. 

TJL: Why are they having these conversations with you?

XXX: Because I'm talking about being a coach and they're curious about what it is.

TJL: So their curiosity makes up for that?

XXX: Absolutely.

TJL: Good; well said. We forget people are curious about what coaching is. 

XXX: They're really only curious if they're curious about you. At least that's my guess. When I have no idea what to say about coaching, they still want to talk to me. 

XXX: I can't help thinking that we've somehow bought into the whole question wrong. I just think that nobody asks "What is a dentist?" Nobody else is really trying to answer this question, and I'm almost wondering if we've gotten into our own quicksand, thinking we have to answer this question. I just wonder if we're distracting ourselves in a huge way.

TJL: So, do you think it's better to give them a statement that doesn't answer their question?

XXX: We've been doing that in a certain way. 

TJL: One thing that might be easier to work with is to relate it to your personal experience, and tell your story. Dave, what do you do?

DB: I'd rather not say! The last time I said, "I'm a coach" the guy asked me "What sport?"

TJL: But you are also a soccer coach, so they are a little bit confused.

DB: Actually, I call myself a brand strategist, rather than a coach. That usually sparks some conversation. Then, I'll add "we're working toward relentless demand for their services".

TJL: That's really great! 

Valerie: I was in a group setting and someone asked me what I did and the person said, after my explanation, "kind of like a life coach?" I just thought - wow!

Susan: Maybe they'll give us the answer!

TJL: In summary - Dave?

DB: Try to summarize this sucker - go for it! (laugh) I think a couple of things that are key is that we should be able to describe what we do, similar to what doctors and lawyer can do. Coaching has been around for such a short time and we have a high expectation that people can just get it. We will definitely get there -through our efforts, and sooner or later, the culture will catch up with us.

TJL: People will buy on emotion or you; they'd rather feel comfortable with you, than worry about a definition of what you do. Thank you all for contributing.