Hi guys, this blog will be about coaching. I want to bring you a simple tool that I learned in Lyssa´s and Michael´s workshop few months ago. I believe this is a fantastic tool, especially for beginner coaches. It´s a great way for them to learn how to keep a coaching session. The tool is called the “Arc of the coaching conversation” . Below you can see its representation, this picture was taken from Lyssa´s and Michael´s material - Coaching Agile Teams workshop.

A coaching session usually initiates because a coachee needs to take one or several things out of the mind and he/she needs to be heard. The coach must create the environment in order to make the coachee comfortable for a discussion. The most important characteristic for a coach is the listening part. A great coach is a great listener. Try to think about it and do not interrupt the coachee at any point. You will have an urge to interrupt him/her, you will start to think yourself that you know the answer and you don´t want to wait to give it to him/her… Do not do that, instead, let the person release the feelings. You must self-manage yourself.

At some point, you must be sure that you understand exactly the couchee´s problem. Try to use the phrases, such as “If I understood correctly, the problem is…” This will allow you to confirm the problem and give you a better understanding what does truly bother the person. After understanding hiser/h problem, start to explore the topic. At this point you should use powerful questions. Here under “Skills for Agile Coaches/Powerful Questions Resources” you can find several powerful questions that can be used. After some time, using exploration and powerful question, the coachee will find some possible solutions for his/her problem.

It is your job as a coach to help him to narrow down actions. Together you should figure out which approach he/she wants to try first. After that, specifically ask what he/she will do, by when and how will you know what was the result. This will end the coaching session.

I personally think this is a good way to keep a coaching session valuable and I wanted to share this with all of you. Hope you enjoy it and find it useful.

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Thanks guys,
Luis