Showing the Art of Coaching in Mastering Consulting Components – Astonishing Findings During Lifecoaching Sessions of MCC’s.
Heading towards Halloween the 6th PCAM conference in September sounds like history already. However I am offering this article which was first posted in German language yet shows so much potential for a vital discussion. I invite you to a flash back to the PCAM conference and to celebrate the launch of my new blog with me. Enjoy ...
Theory teaches coaches two extremes are not be mixed: Coaching and Consulting. How does reality walk the corridor in between: How much Consulting do you include in your Coaching?
The 6th PCAM Conference 2009 began with two LifeCoaching sessions. Barry Demp (Master Certified Coach) and Linda Miller (Master Certified Coach) both asked a client struggling with demanding questions to join them on stage. During the following 20 minutes the auditorium enjoyed the unique experience to watch „MCCs“ working with their clients in a vital life coaching session.
The auditorium, encouraged to note observations followed the ICF Competencies with interest. After a short debriefing on stage we gathered in „Wisdom Circles“ with 6 people in a group. Using our notes we started to talk about observations during the life coaching sessions.
The auditorium, encouraged to note observations followed the ICF Competencies with interest. After a short debriefing on stage we gathered in „Wisdom Circles“ with 6 people in a group. Using our notes we started to talk about observations during the life coaching sessions.
Everybody admiring Barry Demp knows him as a Business Coach, talking to Managers with a clear and direct method. His professional communication encompasses powerful questions, he leads the coaching session skillfully.
These „Barry Demp’s“ he shared with us:
- „Success for the client is building on more success“
- „Coaching leads the questions but the heavy weight-lifting is done by the client“
- "Try to find other coaches in the life of your client“
- „The layering technique: Take a piece out of your client’s sentence and use it to lead to the next question.“
Nevertheless in „Wisdom Circles“ we voiced our first concerns. Analyzing the professional coaching session we observed pieces of recommendations and consulting. The majority of the coaches considered them Barry’s own unique and powerful coaching style. Barry Demp avoids excessive energy and vision questions. He understands coaching as „guidance for goals“. His art of coaching keeps the client on the path guiding them to their target.
After a short break Linda Miller coached her client. We followed their conversation attentively. Linda’s art of coaching demonstrates a natural way of working with the client. She appears relaxed, laughs about herself and her misfortunes (teaching even more) surprising her client with empathy and thoughts to ignite his fantasy. Linda also embedded consultations in her coaching session, offers ideas and recommendations. Later on we learned about her broad expertise in the area of question. Neither the auditorium nor the client ever sensed her control during the coaching session.
After a short break Linda Miller coached her client. We followed their conversation attentively. Linda’s art of coaching demonstrates a natural way of working with the client. She appears relaxed, laughs about herself and her misfortunes (teaching even more) surprising her client with empathy and thoughts to ignite his fantasy. Linda also embedded consultations in her coaching session, offers ideas and recommendations. Later on we learned about her broad expertise in the area of question. Neither the auditorium nor the client ever sensed her control during the coaching session.
In the „Wisdom Circles“ arguments arose. „They are not coaching, that’s all about consulting“ voices commented and „How about the ICF Competencies if you are consulting like this?“. We focused on offering positive feedback. An active discussion formed and the results were astonishing.
I enjoyed the privilege of attending the same Wisdom Circle as Tracy Stevens (ICF board, competencies and test preparation). She clearly stated: The framework is the leading path of the coaching session. The most important step at the beginning is to clarify the goal for this particular conversation with your client. To close the coaching session it means to talk about the client’s choice of action points for next steps. The coach escorts the client’s conversation with questions and mirrors expressions, which can be hidden in body language as well (… I feel you wanted to …). Offering ideas and inspiration where needed is possible, provided the coach clarifies them as an option for the client. This enables the client to decide if he wants to follow this path or not. The charming piece: Observing the client’s reaction can lead to a new clue for the coach.
The outcome: There is a fine line between extensive and just enough support when consulting your client during a coaching session. Showing coaching „competency“ means to step back and provide space for the client looking for his own way. Recommendations supplied at the right moment can broaden the platform for the client’s thought process, could be a portal to more. If the client is not pleased with the coach’s idea he needs more time to explore. Coaching completely without intervention by the coach appears to be „theory“.
Caution – don’t consider this as a call for coaches with „helper syndrome“ to go actively finding solutions for your client. Here it shows „the art of coaching“!
I enjoyed the privilege of attending the same Wisdom Circle as Tracy Stevens (ICF board, competencies and test preparation). She clearly stated: The framework is the leading path of the coaching session. The most important step at the beginning is to clarify the goal for this particular conversation with your client. To close the coaching session it means to talk about the client’s choice of action points for next steps. The coach escorts the client’s conversation with questions and mirrors expressions, which can be hidden in body language as well (… I feel you wanted to …). Offering ideas and inspiration where needed is possible, provided the coach clarifies them as an option for the client. This enables the client to decide if he wants to follow this path or not. The charming piece: Observing the client’s reaction can lead to a new clue for the coach.
The outcome: There is a fine line between extensive and just enough support when consulting your client during a coaching session. Showing coaching „competency“ means to step back and provide space for the client looking for his own way. Recommendations supplied at the right moment can broaden the platform for the client’s thought process, could be a portal to more. If the client is not pleased with the coach’s idea he needs more time to explore. Coaching completely without intervention by the coach appears to be „theory“.
Caution – don’t consider this as a call for coaches with „helper syndrome“ to go actively finding solutions for your client. Here it shows „the art of coaching“!
Coach on,
Christine Klisch
