The 8 Key Skills for Effective Coaching

The power of coaching has been recognised in many areas for many years.  Astute managers and leaders are starting to see coaching skills as a vital addition to their personal effectiveness toolbox.  So what are they key skills that managers need to develop?

1.                  Listening

When growing up we received formal education on reading and writing but not how to listen.  Yet when it comes to business, listening is probably one of the most important skills to have.

If as a manager you take on the role of coach, you need to learn to listen with real focus, suspending all of your judgements and opinions.  You also need to be listening not just to the words but also to the non verbal signals such as body language.

2.                  Questioning

Most of us can ask questions.  When coaching, you need to be using powerful questions.  These are questions that:

• Are short, typically 7 words or less

• Are open rather than closed

• Deepen the learning of the person being coached

• Move the person forward towards a goal

Examples include:

• What do you want?

• What’s important?

• What’s the first step?

3.                  Constructively Challenging

Challenging constructively is about not holding back but at the same time not destroying the relationship.  Many people associate coaching with helping, which it clearly is. At the same time if the coaching never rocks the boat it just becomes another nice chat.  Playing back contradictions is a great way of constructively challenging.  For example:

“I hear that you want to get your MBA but at the same time you seem to be resisting making the time for assignments”

4.                  Holding To Account

Accountability is one of the most powerful aspects of coaching.  It has been suggested that people have a 95% chance of achieving an objective when they have accountability in place.  When someone gives a commitment to doing something and they know that they will be held to account, it drives then forward.

How effective are you at holding people to account as a manager?

5.                  Seeing different perspectives

Have you ever found yourself in a situation where it feels like you are pinned into a corner and there is no where to go?  If so, chances are you were stuck in a perspective.  When coaching, you need to be able to help your client to explore different perspectives, so that they can choose those that are most powerful.

6.                  Encouraging and supporting

Encouraging and supporting when coaching can be the difference between someone keeping going or giving up.  Acknowledging another person is an incredibly powerful way of keeping them motivated. 

7.                  Trusting and using intuition

We all have a hunch about something from time to time.  Chances are that you have probably started to analyse it and make it logical or not.  When coaching, your intuition is a powerful tool.  Throw it out if it might be of benefit.  The worst that can happen is that it is off the mark.

8.                  Keeping the focus on your client

When you are in the role of coach your focus needs to be 100% on your client and their agenda.  What this means is putting all of the attention on the client and keeping your agenda out of the way.

These 8 key skills can not only help you when coaching but also make you an even better manager or leader.  Take time to assess where you strengths lie and where you need to develop.