The Christian Coaching Bookstore
“Let me give you some feedback.”
Anyone who’s heard this phrase in a staff meeting knows that these simple words are usually loaded with a punch. Unsolicited feedback is often interpreted as…”Here’s what I think you need to change” which can have the effect of a small land mine exploding in your lap. Those giving it are often well-intentioned—however those who are on the receiving end naturally become defensive and skeptical. Continue reading “Feedback: Friend or Foe”
Over the last month or two, your client John’s coaching goal has been rethinking his work flow, time-management and getting more work done with less stress. He’s been working diligently to make a change, but today he has something completely different on his mind: a great new job opportunity. It’s an exciting thing to talk through, and John is passionate about the opportunity. But your concern as his coach is that you are two thirds of the way through making a very important and needed change in John’s life, and suddenly he is ready to completely dump that coaching goal. What do you do? Continue reading “Judo Coaching: Redirecting Energy Toward the Coaching Goal”
Maria is a client with too much on her plate. She has trouble meeting her commitments, she is always a day late and a dollar short, and her life is a jumble of competing demands and half-remembered promises. When you think about coaching change in her life, the agenda that would make the most difference is pretty obvious: Maria needs to get her life under control. But she doesn’t see it that way. What do you do? Should you speak up? As the old song goes, “How do you solve a problem like Maria?” Continue reading “Coaching Change: When NOT to Speak Up”
One important way to improve your active listening ability is to identify and eliminate distractions in your environment with this coaching tool. You can be great at many other facets of listening, but if your phone line is full of static or you are constantly interrupted, you’ll still find it very difficult to listen well. True active listening intently is hard work. Often simple changes like taking a few minutes before a meeting to get centered, purchasing a phone headset, or turning off your computer monitor while you are coaching can make a big difference. Continue reading “Up Your Active Listening Game by Eliminating Distractions”
