What it takes to become a great coach

Most of us have had the experience of working with a great coach. Someone who inspired and motivated us, who helped us to grow and become more skilled and capable than we were before. In order to become a successful coach, it takes time and patience. But it also takes a certain set of basic skills that help to make a good coach into a great one. The good news? Each of these can be learned. Let’s take a look at these skills.

• Great coaches are great at questioning and listening. When they are talking to an employee, they help them to find the answer to their questions or problems by asking questions. They are curious rather than judgmental. They help the other person along on their journey of discovery rather than telling them what the answers are

• Another major characteristic of great coaches is that they use rephrasing to clarify what is happening in the other person’s mind. Not just so that the coach understands it, but so that the employee does as well. Rephrasing what the employee says helps to shape ideas, flesh them out, and pinpoint what they are trying to say.

• They are also able to help their employees look at situations from more than one perspective. Reframing situations helps to ensure that you are not labeling or judging the situation, but rather can be very helpful in problem solving, brainstorming, and decision-making.

• Likewise, coaches should clarify what is important, particularly in situations where there is a great deal of detail. Employees may have issues performing because they find the level of information they are dealing with to be overwhelming. A great coach can help them to identify the priorities as well as which details are not as important.

• They also help the employee to see opportunities where they didn’t see them before. A great coach has a good vision of the future and helps employees to achieve their goals – even if they might have thought the goal was not possible.

• And finally, a great coach demonstrates the type of behavior, commitment to the vision, and level of performance that he expects to see in his employees.

If you want to learn more about what it takes to become good at coaching, “Coaching and Mentoring” written by MTD Training is the right book for you..

Download the free eBook “Coaching and Mentoring”