“Coaching involves observing your
people's performance, praising progress, and redirecting efforts that are off
base.” – Ken
Blanchard & Bill Hybels
No one like
to hear how bad they are doing. Even
worse, to hear that you are just okay.
We all know the feeling when we have tried to do something and it isn't
just right. Trying to be encouraging,
someone we care about tells us, "That okay. You'll do better next time." That is supposed to make us feel better but in
reality we feel like giving up.
I believe a better word for a
coach is an encourager. We are here to
come alongside people and help them do their best. The trick is in having the ability to recognize
what "their best" is. Just
because someone may have the knowledge and skills to do well, does not mean
they always will. Things like
confidence, fear and belief all come into play.
This is especially true when
someone is starting out on something new.
As a coach you know that they can do this. You know your client well enough to know that
they are capable of great things.
However, you also know that they are not as certain of this fact as you
are. Do not come at them with a hearty,
"What is wrong with you? I know you
can do this, get off your buff and start making it happen." This may work for a football coach but not a
life coach. Yes you want to get them
moving, however you will get farther by inspiring them than by assaulting them.
One of the keys to good coaching
is to know how to praise progress. You
rejoice and encourage the little victories and then help them to aspire to
something greater. Here is an
example. Let's say (and I will use a
coaching example again since we can all relate) your client is starting a
coaching business. You have told them
that they need to become better known as a coach so people will be drawn to
them. Your assignment was to do
something, write an article, speak somewhere, something to show themselves as
the expert. At the next visit. you ask
them about it and all they have done is post a few small things on Facebook.
Inside you may want to say,
"Just what do you think that is going to accomplish? Do something worthwhile." But being the encourager you are, instead you
say, "That is great. Did you get
any likes? Did anyone respond to it. Keep it up and you will start making this work." Next, you give them another assignment. This time it is a bit more direct. Let's say you get them to start a blog. Make it one thing and attach it to what they
have done. This way as they move forward
they are in fact doing the next step, not redoing the first one right.
There are always positive ways
to encourage people to move forward.
Remember too, if they did not properly complete an assignment, it may
have been the wrong assignment. Know
your clients learning style, and how they best respond to instruction. If you work with them to succeed, they will
not disappoint you.
John Patrick Hickey is an author, speaker,
and Life Coach. To read more from John Patrick Hickey or to get his books,
training and book him to speak to your church, business or group, visit our
website at http://www.growthcenter.net or www.johnpatrickhickey.com.
© 2014 John Patrick Hickey
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