COMMUNICATING EFFECTIVELY

C. COMMUNICATING EFFECTIVELY

5. Active Listening - Ability to focus completely on what the client is saying and is not saying, to understand the meaning of what is said in the context of the client's desires, and to support client self-expression.Attends to the client and the client's agenda, and not to the coach's agenda for the client,Hears the client's concerns, goals, values and beliefs about what is and is not possible, Distinguishes between the words, the tone of voice, and the body language, Summarizes, paraphrases, reiterates, mirrors back what client has said to ensure clarity and understanding, Encourages, accepts, explores and reinforces the client's expression of feelings, perceptions, concerns, beliefs, suggestions, etc., Integrates and builds on client's ideas and suggestions, "Bottom-lines" or understands the essence of the client's communication and helps the client get there rather than engaging in long descriptive stories, Allows the client to vent or "clear" the situation without judgment or attachment in order to move on to next steps.

6. Powerful Questioning - Ability to ask questions that reveal the information needed for maximum benefit to the coaching relationship and the client.Asks questions that reflect active listening and an understanding of the client's perspective,Asks questions that evoke discovery, insight, commitment or action (e.g., those that challenge the client's assumptions), Asks open-ended questions that create greater clarity, possibility or new learning Asks questions that move the client towards what they desire, not questions that ask for the client to justify or look backwards.

7. Direct Communication - Ability to communicate effectively during coaching sessions, and to use language that has the greatest positive impact on the client.Is clear, articulate and direct in sharing and providing feedback,Reframes and articulates to help the client understand from another perspective what he/she wants or is uncertain about, Clearly states coaching objectives, meeting agenda, purpose of techniques or exercises, Uses language appropriate and respectful to the client (e.g., non-sexist, non-racist, non-technical, non-jargon), Uses metaphor and analogy to help to illustrate a point or paint a verbal picture.
 

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