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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CO-CREATING THE RELATIONSHIP

B. CO-CREATING THE RELATIONSHIP

3. Establishing Trust and Intimacy with the Client - Ability to create a safe, supportive environment that produces ongoing mutual respect and trust.Shows genuine concern for the client's welfare and future,Continuously demonstrates personal integrity, honesty and sincerity, Establishes clear agreements and keeps promises,Demonstrates respect for client's perceptions, learning style, personal being, Provides ongoing support for and champions new behaviors and actions, including those involving risk taking and fear of failure, Asks permission to coach client in sensitive, new areas.

4. Coaching Presence - Ability to be fully conscious and create spontaneous relationship with the client, employing a style that is open, flexible and confident.Is present and flexible during the coaching process, dancing in the moment,Accesses own intuition and trusts one's inner knowing - "goes with the gut", Is open to not knowing and takes risks, Sees many ways to work with the client, and chooses in the momentwhat is most effective, Uses humor effectively to create lightness and energy, Confidently shifts perspectives and experiments with new possibilities for own action, Demonstrates confidence in working with strong emotions, and can self-manage and not be overpowered or enmeshed by client's emotions.

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BUILDING RAPPORT AND SETTING THE                 COMMUNICATING EFFECTIVELY

FOUNDATION                                                             

 

BUILDING RAPPORT AND SETTING THE FOUNDATION

A.  BUILDING RAPPORT AND SETTING THE FOUNDATION

1. Positoning (Establish Rules of The Game) - Getting in common understanding of what will be done during the coaching goes ahead, it would be very helpful to both parties, both Coach and client. Needed an explanation of what will be done by a coach, understanding of coaching ethics and standards and ability to apply them appropriately in all coaching situations. Understands and exhibits in own behaviors the ICF Standards of Conduct (see list, Part III of ICF Code of Ethics), Understands and follows all ICF Ethical Guidelines (see list),Clearly communicates the distinctions between coaching, consulting, psychotherapy and other support professions,Refers client to another support professional as needed, knowing when this is needed and the available resources.

2. Establishing the Coaching Agreement - Ability to understand what is required in the specific coaching interaction and to come to agreement with the prospective and new client about the coaching process and relationship.Understands and effectively discusses with the client the guidelines and specific parameters of the coaching relationship (e.g., logistics, fees, scheduling, inclusion of others if appropriate),Reaches agreement about what is appropriate in the relationship and what is not, what is and is not being offered, and about the client's and coach's responsibilities,Determines whether there is an effective match between his/her coaching method and the needs of the prospective client.

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CO-CREATING THE RELATIONSHIP