Coaching Skills
It’s A Brené Brown Thing!
“I always wanted to be somebody. I should have been more specific.” Lily Tomlin While Lily Tomlin adds a little levity to the notion of being really clear about what we want, her quote also suggests the importance of being clear about our own roles and responsibilities when coaching others. Those who are in our…
Read MoreEthics – A Standard with Whom We are Familiar – Or Are We?
“Ethics is knowing the difference between what you have a right to do and what is right to do.” –Potter Stewart How true is this statement? Ethics is a standard with whom we are all familiar. My experience as an educator and coach says not so much! Only when there is an infraction or someone…
Read MoreGive the Present of Presence
Most likely we would not be too excited to open a gift and find nothing inside. Right? However, would you be surprised to know that in coaching, this is the perfect metaphor for coaching presence? Let me explain. In coaching, we are giving the gift of ourselves and our skills to another person. What does…
Read MoreCoaching Presence – What is it and Why is it Important?
Earlier this month, I offered some thoughts about the behaviors of a coach-leader and of a coach, showing how in many ways both roles are similar and at times different. One important way that coach leaders and coaches are the same is the way they offer and maintain presence to the person speaking. In order…
Read MorePsychological Safety, Part 2
William Kahn describes psychological safety as “being able to show and employ one’s self without fear of negative consequences of self-image, status or career.” Psychological Conditions of Personal Engagement and Disengagement at Work. In the previous post, the first two stages of psychological safety were discussed — Inclusion Safety and Learner Safety. The next stages…
Read MorePsychological Safety
Timothy R. Clark, in his book The 4 Stages of Psychological Safety, defines psychological safety as a condition in which you feel (1) included, (2) safe to learn, (3) safe to contribute, and (4) safe to challenge the status quo—all without fear of being embarrassed, marginalized, or punished in some way. Clark states that psychological…
Read MoreMake the Most of Yourself – Get Involved with Coaching
“The very best thing you can do for the whole world is to make the most of yourself.” Wallace Wattles I love this quote which I came across while reading The Heart of Laser-Focused Coaching by Marion Franklin (2019). Making the most of yourself. Isn’t that what coaching is really all about – supporting another…
Read MoreCoaching – Does it Matter? Yes, it Does!
Earlier this month, we offered five key points about what coaching is. Now, let’s look toward why coaching matters. From a research-based perspective and a personal opinion, coaching is an effective growth and support process for businesses and individuals. Personally, I don’t know how people stay motivated and productive in dealing with the challenges of…
Read MoreHigh-Five for Coaching – Five Key Points On What Coaching is All About
Recently, a client asked me to offer some language to share with her team about what coaching is and why it matters. Here are some of my thoughts – let’s call them five key points about what coaching is. Perhaps this will serve as a reminder for all of us about the importance of coaching…
Read MoreCurious and Interested – What Makes Them Different?
Of the 87 emotions Brené Brown names and explores in Atlas of the Heart, let’s take a closer look at the nuances between curiosity and interest. Here are Dr. Brown’s definitions: Interest is a cognitive openness to engaging with a topic or experience. Curiosity is recognizing a gap in our knowledge about something that interests…
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