4 Myths about Coaching You Must Reject

Coaching provides people centered approaches to development and results.

“Coaching is the universal language of change and learning.” Julie Winkle Giulioni

Coaching is the universal language of change and learning. Image of a person playing scabble.

4 myths about coaching:

Myth #1: Coaching isn’t leading

Coaching is a tool and a way of being. Leadership is a way of being.

Coaches focus on people. Asking questions feels awkward at first, but it’s empowering and freeing when mastered.

Tip: Learn to ask forward-facing questions that clarify action. Use “what” or “how” when clarifying action. Use “why” when exploring purpose.

Myth #2: Coaching is slow

In the short-term command and control is fast. Eventually, authoritarian styles stifle initiative, create bottlenecks, add stress, cause adversarial relationships, and demotivate.

Coaching requires up-front investment that produces long-term benefit. Coaching-leaders go slow to go fast.

Tip: Ask yourself, “Is development fast enough to get us where we need to be in a timely manner?” Don’t over-invest in people who don’t fit.

Myth #3: Coaching is soft

Coaching-leaders expect people to own their own development.

Questions that energize:

  1. What does success look like in terms of behaviors, not simply results?
  2. What are you great at and how can you do more of that?
  3. How can you move the ball down the field today? We don’t need a touch-down, just a first down.
  4. What’s holding you back?
  5. What are you learning about doing well? About yourself? About team members?
  6. What’s working?
  7. What’s not working and what new approaches might you try?

Myth #4: Coaching is easy

The rigors of coaching include:

  1. Creating space where people take ownership of themselves.
  2. Resistance from ingrained expectations.
  3. Developing coaching skills.
  4. Solving with instead of solving-for.

Coaches trust talent to pull organizations forward.

Not all the time:

Coaching doesn’t work when:

  1. The house is on fire.
  2. Talent needs training.
  3. External factors impede success.
  4. Employees are know-it-alls.

What suggestions do you have for leaders who aspire to coach their team members?

The four myths are adapted from, “Coaching for Engagement,” by Bob Hancox (My coach).

Still curious:

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3 Insightful Questions You Can Ask Today