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Coaching
Triads: How to Set Them Up for Success (Including Feedback Template)
The purpose of this article is to give
you some hints on how to set up coaching practice triads that are
effective, supportive and meet the needs of participants. At the end
there is a template that your triad can use as a guide for giving
feedback.
When You're The Client
* Pick a real issue ... something that
is current and relevant for you.
* Remember the point of this is for
the coach to practice, so pick your session topic accordingly.
When You're the Coach
* Actually coach ... be yourself.
* This is a space to try new things
and take some risks.
* Know what you'd like to get out of
each practice session, and let your triad partners know (e.g. “I
want to speak more succinctly” or “I’m working on letting go of the
need for the client to change”)
* Ask for specific feedback if you
want it, and accept the feedback in the spirit it was intended. Try
to resist the temptation to argue with the feedback or defend your
choices.
* Manage the time, and thank your
partners for their efforts.
When You're the Observer
* Remember, you're observing the
coach, not coaching the client, so focus your attention on giving
feedback to the coach.
* Don’t divert attention away from the
coach’s learning by offering suggestions to the client. If there’s
something you want the client to know, write it down and send it as
an email. Or reserve time at the end of the entire meeting to share
those thoughts and observations.
* Take notes of what seemed effective
in the session. Writing down specific things the coach said is very
helpful.
* If you would have taken the session
in a different direction, make note of that (when and how), but
don't get distracted by it. There are a million possible directions
that a coach could go in at any given point.
* Say what you're reluctant to say,
but be tactful. A sensitive way to give constructive criticism would
be to say something like “If I had to pick one thing that would have
strengthened your coaching, it would be …”
* Always give two positive comments
for every negative one, and limit your suggestions for improvement
to two or three at the most. People can only absorb a small amount
of criticism at a time.
* Be concise and use specific
examples. Know what the Coach is working on (e.g. are they here to
practice a particular coaching model? to practice not attaching to
outcome?) and give feedback accordingly.
* Make a note of the time, and if
necessary remind the coach to wrap up.
* Have relevant reference materials in
front of you (e.g. CCEC model, 15 Proficiencies, IAC Coaching
Masteries, ICF 10 Core Competencies)
* Remember that everyone coaches with
their own flavor. The main thing to consider is “was it effective
for the client?”
For The Triad In General
* Make a commitment and stick to it.
Your triad members are counting on you to show up every time.
* Have an idea of what your goals are,
and share them with your triad members.
* Coach even if no one feels like
coaching that day. Consistency is key to progress, and it’s very
easy to let the triad slide into a general chitchat meeting.
* Decide the time-keeping
responsibilities (who's timing the sessions, as well as the feedback
period).
* Know how long your
sessions/evaluations will last and stick to the schedule to make the
best use of everyone’s
time.
* Discuss ahead of time how long
you're agreeing to meet (typically triads agree to meet for two to
three months and then reassess).
* Agree on when you'll reassess, and
what things you'll be reassessing. For example: After 2 months we'll
talk about:
- do we want to continue for another 2 months?
- do we want to refocus our triad purpose?
- is there something that has worked really well that we'd like to
do more of?
- is there something we'd like to change?
- is there a system that needs to be put into place?
Feedback Template
The Coach asked for specific feedback on:
1)
2)
If time is limited ask Coach which of the following three areas
(skills, presence or expertise) they would most like feedback on.
1) COACHING SKILLS
The strongest thing I noticed about your coaching skills was …
This was particularly evident when…
If I had to suggest one area for improvement it would be …
2) PERSONAL PRESENCE
The gift you bring to others is your…
The impact it seemed to have on the client was…
An area to work on might be…
3) SUBJECT MATTER EXPERTISE
You really helped the client when you offered expertise in this
area…
This was particularly evident when you said…
It would have been helpful if you had expertise in _______to offer
Remember:
When giving feedback in a
practice triad...
* take notes so you can give specifics
* focus on feedback to coach, not ideas to client
* give two “positives” for every “negative”
Copyright 2005 Barbra Sundquist
http://www.becomeacertifiedcoach.com
Thanks to Beth Lyons
http://www.techiecoach.com for her significant contribution to
this article.
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