Supervised Coaching: Session 3

I would say that I was a superstar today, but that would be going against everything that I’m working on! I do know, though, that I set out on a mission to keep my advice to myself, to speak (almost) only in questions, and to not lose my enthusiasm, acknowledgment, and celebration. I guess it worked because I was crowned the Clarity Coach: “an energizer, an acknowledger, and heaps of fun!”

Sigh. That’s nice.

I think what I need to remember are words that came out of my very own damn smart mouth:

“When I trust my client, I trust myself as a coach.”

And that’s where it should begin and end. When I trust my client, I’m able to review what they say, to create clarity, to reflect and offer support, to plan, to ask powerful questions, to follow alongside my client, to dance, to be curious, to withhold judgment, to acknowledge, to explore, to celebrate, to create action, to be aware and create awareness, to energize and have heaps of fun.

All of things on that list were things that, according to Sheri and my classmates, I did in 15 short minutes.

I love being a coach.

Supervised Coaching: Session 1

Thank the Lord! The pandering is done and I’m gonna get the kick in the pants I need!

I started Supervised Coaching tonight & I’m just in heaven. Man, I wish that this was a mandatory class for the last 2 years I’ve been doing this program. The other students are great coaches are great peers, and the teacher Sheri is top notch. While she does focus on the “positive” aspects of each 15-min laser session that occurs, she doesn’t not call you out when you take the wrong path, like I did today.

I started kicking arse and taking names. I knew that I was focused, direct, energetic, and hitting most of the ICF Core Competencies. And then I looked at my watch and saw that I was 12 minutes in, and I picked the wrong fork in the road: the one that says, “Can I offer you a suggestion?” Instead of following that up with a direct question – one that I had on the tip of my tongue – I told the client what I thought he should do. I TOLD him! It was ridiculous! And in the middle of it I had to stop and say, “Ugh, I’m totally giving you advice right now” – but the even worse part was I thought (I really did think) that what I was doing was OK. It’s OK to give a suggestion if you ask and the client says “Yes, please.” Isn’t it? Uh, no. No, it’s not. And I need to cut it out because it’s absolutely ruining my “genius” (Sherri’s words, not mine) coaching.

I need to stop the advice giving.

I need to stop the multiple questions.

I need to talk 25-50% less than I do.

These are not “shoulds”. These are not “wants”. These are “needs”.

Thankfully, I feel that this class will kick these bad habits to the curb and will rewire my brain – maybe not totally, but enough to make a difference. Enough to be a “genius” coach at least most of the time. I know I have it in me. I know I can do it.

It’s time to focus (there’s that word again!). The time is now.

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Today I’m grateful for my Supervised class & teacher (duh)!