For a professional, trained coach the list of learned, and acquired skills are many. Some of the many skills a professional coach will most likely be trained in, and develop include coaching methodology.
Coaching methodology is a foundational piece that explains the coaching framework. It describes what responsibilities fall to the client and which ones falls to the coach. It also identifies how coaching benefits are delivered, as well as what the coaching – client relationship looks like, and how client goals can be delivered. Methodology is an important aspect of coaching. There is no denying this. But is methodology knowledge, and practice the most important skill a professional coach can have? Although this is foundational, in my mind the answer is no.
Another critical piece the professional coach can bring to the table is expertise in their niche area. For example, a career coach, like me, ideally is an expert in career decisions, job searches, resume, and interview techniques. In my particular case, I have made three to four significant career changes during my 30-year career, and I bring this re-packaging of skill sets, reframing of work experience, and messaging to the table – especially with those clients that are considering a change of career. As another example, ideally a wellness coach will be an expert in health, and wellness. They will have expertise in these areas. Expertise examples might include a background in nutrition, client care, or patient treatment. By being subject matter experts in the areas of health, nutrition, or healing techniques, the wellness coach brings relevant expertise to their wellness clients. To be an expert in the niche in which they coach is a powerful skill to bring to the coaching relationship. Is it the most important skill set? Expertise is much to be desired, but again I would say it is not the ultimate skill a coach must possess.
In the coaching experience, usually the overview of work to be done is to identify, and capture the client’s goals, create action steps to deliver the goal, and to anticipate any roadblocks that may arise, and remove, or reduce those roadblocks. Management of road blocks was an element of coaching I received significant training on. A prime responsibility of a coach is to keep the client moving forward; keep momentum going toward the client’s goals. Road block are obstacles to action steps to prevent the client from progressing. Coaches learn various techniques to reduce or remove road blocks. Part of this work is to have the client consider want restraints exist to completing action steps. The work also involves keeping the client accountable. This piece includes identifying who can support the client if they encounter road blocks, and setting timelines to resolve issues. When road blocks are removed, or minimized, the client can move forward with greater speed, and confidence. It is clear to see that a coach’s ability to identify, and remove or reduce road blocks is a powerful skill to have. But although I see this skill as critical to success, I don’t find it to be the most important skill.
When I finally state what I feel to be the most important skill a professional coach can possess, it may surprise you. But I can assure you that this assessment comes after over 2 ½ years in the coaching industry, and after working with literally dozens of paying clients. Ito my experience the most important skill a professional coach can possess is the ability to actively listen. Surprised? But now that I have made the statement, what exactly is “actively listening”. I will begin defining actively listening by stating it is a type of listening where the client and the coach are fully present. This means that electronics are turned off, or put away during the coaching sessions. The coach, or the client may take notes during the coaching sessions, but the notes are secondary to the experience – listening is primary. Active listening also means listening without judgement. Once the coach starts judging the client, the coach is now listening through a filter – a filter that blocks the coach from what the client is actually saying. As a professional coach, we want to hear what the client is actually saying, not what we want them to be saying. Active listening also means that the coach is prepared to set aside their agenda, and expectations for the session. To have an agenda, a plan, is good. But often in the course of the coaching session, the needs or mindset of the client changes, and the coach needs to be sensitive to hear this. The coach needs to put the client above the agenda, and have the clarity of mind to let the client drive the conversation – even when it might be easier to stick to the session agenda. Again, the coach needs to hear what the client is saying – not what the coach wants the client to say. The last piece in active listening is to ask open ended questions. By doing this the client is encouraged to drive the conversation, and create their own solutions to problems. The danger for the coach is to be an advice giver, and only an advice giver. Rather than saying “have you tried this?” an open-ended question is preferred, such as “what things have you considered to cover that gap?” And instead of making a statement like “You need to be more accountable” it is preferred to ask an open-ended question such as “what tools do you have available to keep your deliverables on track?” With that said have I ever given advice? You bet. I offer suggestions in just about every coaching session I have. But I also make it clear that the client needs to remain the decision maker – that the client is free to consider, accept, or reject any suggestions. But as a professional coach I always am asking myself, “can you express your idea through an open-ended question?” and “can you direct the conversation by using open-ended questions?” It is a constant barometer that I try to keep on my radar. I have often found that open ended questions put the discussion back on track, and work to re-engage the client in the conversation.
The challenges for a professional coach are many. Partly this is because every client is unique. They all differ in their professional background, work experience, family history, and even culture. It is the coaches job to hear, and understand these differences, while at the same time providing their client with the best service possible in terms of understanding their goals, identifying road blocks, and keeping their client moving forward. On this journey, the coach comes to understand some skills are critical to delivering the best experience to their client. These critical skills including understanding, and utilizing a proven methodology, becoming an expert in their niche area, and identifying goals, and removing blocks. All of these are important skills for a coach to possess, and utilize. But to my experience, based on months of coaching training, and years of coaching experience, the one most important skill a coach can have is to actively listen. Before committing to a professional coach, it is wise to ask yourself “is this coach a good listener?” If the answer is yes, and the coach is trained, and certified, or licensed, you most likely will have a rich, and rewarding coaching experience once you commit.
Author: Brian Kail, MBA, CPC is a professional career coach, and business mentor. For more information see AscendProCoach.com
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