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Coaching Practice Triads: Guidelines for the Coach, Client
and Observer
by Barbra Sundquist
Published on this site: December 9th, 2005 - See
more articles from this month
The purpose of this article is to give you some hints on how
to set up coaching practice triads that are effective, supportive
and meet the needs of participants.
When You're The Client
- Pick a real issue ... something that is current and relevant
for you.
- Remember the point of this is for the coach to practice,
so pick your session topic accordingly.
When You're The Coach
- Actually coach ... be yourself
- This is a space to try new things and take some risks.
- Know what you'd like to get out of each practice session,
and let your triad partners know (e.g. "I want to speak
more succinctly" or "I'm working on letting go
of the need for the client to change")
- Ask for specific feedback if you want it.
- Don't argue with the feedback you receive, or defend
yourself.
- Manage the time.
- Thank the client and observer.
When You're The Observer
- Remember, you're evaluating the coach, not coaching the
client, so focus your attention on giving feedback to the
coach.
- Don't divert attention away from the coach's learning
by offering suggestions to the client. If there's something
you want the client to know, write it down and send it as
an email. Or if your triad agrees, reserve time at the end
of the entire meeting to share those thoughts and observations.
- Take notes of what seemed effective in the session. Writing
down specific things the coach said is very helpful.
- If you would have taken the session in a different direction,
make note of that, (when and how) but don't get distracted
by it. There are a million possible directions that a coach
could go in at any given point.
- Say what you're reluctant to say, but be tactful. A sensitive
way to give constructive criticism would be to say something
like "If I had to pick one thing that would have strengthened
your coaching, it would be …"
- Always give two positive comments for every negative
one, and limit your suggestions for improvement to two or
three at the most. People can only absorb a small amount
of criticism at a time.
- Be concise and use specific examples. Know what the Coach
is working on -- are they here to practice the proficiencies?
to practice not attaching to outcome? -- and give feedback
accordingly.
- Make a note of the time, and if necessary remind the
coach to wrap up.
- Have the coaching model or other relevant evaluation
materials in front of you.
- Remember that everyone coaches with their own flavor.
The main thing is "was it effective for the client?"
For The Triad In General
- Make a commitment and stick to it. Your triad members
are counting on you to show up every time.
- Have an idea of what your goals are, and share them with
your triad members.
- Coach even if no one feels like coaching that day. Consistency
is key to progress, and it's very easy to let the triad
slide into a general chitchat meeting.
- Decide the time-keeping responsibilities (who's timing
the sessions, as well as the feedback period).
- Know how long your sessions/evaluations will last and
stick to the schedule to make the best use of everyone's
time.
- Discuss ahead of time how long you're agreeing to meet
(typically triads agree to meet for two to three months
and then reassess).
- Agree on when you'll reassess, and what things you'll
be reassessing.
For example: After 2 months we'll talk about:
- if we want to continue for another 2 months
- do we want to refocus our triad purpose?
- is there something that has worked really well that we'd
like to do more of?
- is there something that we'd like to change?
- is there a system that needs to be put into place
Barbra Sundquist is a Certified Mentor Coach and Certifying
Examiner for the International Association of Coaches (IAC).
She helps people attain their coaching certification through
her program at http://www.becomeacertifiedcoach.com/join.htm
. To receive a complimentary copy of Barbra's coaching certification
training manual, please send a blank email to [email protected]
http://www.becomeacertifiedcoach.com
with significant input from Beth Lyons http://www.techiecoach.com
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