I had the opportunity to have a very valuable coaching session as part of our ongoing personal development process within Coaching For Results Global. You might call it “coaches coaching coaches.” I have moved from being a passive observer of my “issue” to taking an active role in the situation. How did my coach help facilitate learning and results for me in that session? As I’ve thought about the skills that she used in working with me, I’ve identified at least three uses of language that were very powerful:1) the language of metaphor, 2) the language of movement and 3) the language of holding one able and accountable.

The language of metaphor:

As I began describing my issue, I explained the event that prompted my concern. My coach reframed my story event with the use of a powerful metaphor, “You got a radar signal.” That image of the radar signal implanted the significance of that event in my mind. She went on to reframe my ramblings about the issue by asking, “Where do you want to shine the spotlight?” The metaphor of a spotlight was not only powerful in getting me to think about the focus of the issue, but became our “coaching agreement” about how we would focus our limited coaching time together.

The language of movement:

Recently at the movies, the “feature presentation” was announced by a clip that included audience viewers sitting in chairs in a movie theater awaiting the start of the movie when the chairs suddenly start moving as if on a magic carpet and transport the viewers into a lovely, darkened, outdoors garden where they begin watching the movie. It hit me- that is what my coach had done for me. I had been sitting in the “theater” passively observing my issue feeling immobilized about doing anything about it. Through her artistry and skill, I was transported to a mental space of possibility and wonder over the control I could have over my issue. I was transported from point A to Point B. The “chair” that transported me was her language of movement.

Some of the “movement language she used was, “Where do you want to shine the spotlight? “ I visualized that spotlight moving over several options from inaction to action. She noted, “You want to put yourself in the center of the situation.” This enabled me to recognize that I had the power to move from a passive to an active participant.

The language of holding me able and accountable:

The impact of the coach paraphrasing and asking powerful questions of me, held me able and accountable for my movement. I shared with the coach my many good excuses for not having done more about this issue for several years. She did not shame me or try to give me advice about how better off I would be if I took the necessary action. She did not try to counter my excuses with advice or new ideas framed with, “have you thought about..?” Her language became the language of her belief that I had both the whys and the answers for creating change. She asked several thoughtful questions that made me think and work such as 1)” How do you want to be?” 2)” What will it look like in the future when you become the way you want to be?” 3) “How can you take charge of this?” I realized that I did not want to be powerless. I was able to visualize a different future, and I was able to think of multiple ways to reach my goal. Her language of accountability was, “what do you want to commit to publicly? I have had movement in my goals as a result of her holding me able and accountable.

Coach, I want you to know that your coaching will have long range impact on my well-being. Thank you for helping me move to the center of my own power. Thank you for helping me recognize the radar signal, and thank you for helping me shine a spotlight on possibilities. Thank you, Coach!

by Diana Williams, PhD, PCC
Coaching For Results Global

​Diana Williams, PhD, PCC, author of the Elementary Principal’s Personal Coach, is a founding member of Coaching for Results Global and serves on the CFR Global Board of Directors, leading the Office of Evaluation. She is a past president of Learning Forward, formerly NSDC, and a recipient of the Distinguished Service Award. To read more about Diana and other CFR coaches, go to www.coachingschoolresults.com and click on “coaches.”