How Coaching Works

In a coaching conversation, your objective is to ensure your coachee is focused on thinking about that desired state of performance, or what success would look like.

Because the goal for coaching success is to have your coachee determine their own "desired state," foster that thought process with them using these question stems:

• What might success look like to you?

• Why is that success important to you?

• What are some key actions you can take within the next few weeks?

• How will you know you are being successful?

  
  

Your role is to help turn the gears for your coachee to get them to see the potential for action toward their desired state.

This video explains the different leadership roles we take on when working with teachers and support staff.

There are THREE key practices to coaching that you can start practicing right away! It is best to practice them in order as they are listed.

1. Active Listening

   • Pause before and after you have asked your coachee a question.

   • Let a few seconds pass before paraphrasing or asking another question.

   • Pay attention to your non-verbal cues so your coachee knows you are in tune with their words, thoughts, and behaviors.

2. Paraphrasing & Summarizing 

   • Chunk ideas into baskets, boxes, and bowls to help your coachee categorize their thoughts.

     • "So, there are really three things at play here. One...two... and three."

   • Acknowledge your coachee's thinking and emotions.

     • "So, you're worried about..."

     • "So, you're surprised by..."

   • Bring narrow thinking to a broad perspective, and broad perspective to more narrow.

     • "You have mentioned several details about..."

     • "Let's expand/narrow that viewpoint..."

     • "So, on a larger scale..."

3. Pose Questions for Details, Clarity, and Evidence

   • To help your coachee develop more clarity.

     • "What people, specifically...?"

     • "How do you know this to be true?"

     • "Why was that important at that time?"

   • Inquire about possibilities for the future.

     • "What will happen if you are not successful?"

     •  "What will that future look like for you?"

Contact Us: juliakeider@keiderconsulting.com