Solutions-Focused Coaching
During the process of qualifying with a Foundation in Coaching Practice accreditation we are encouraged to think about the types of coaching which we favour. There are many different tools and processes that can be used to achieve a successful coaching outcome, such as Thinking Partnerships, Goal-Oriented Coaching, Outcomes Focused etc etc.
Successful coaching should encompass a wide range of approaches for the benefit of clients, all based around the ability to make the client feel safe, to give them space, to listen and to ask the most beneficial questions. Some clients wish to discuss broad subjects, but the majority do have a specific issue which they would like to address.
Early on it seemed clear to me that I favoured a solutions-focused approach to coaching. Whilst this is not surprising in many ways, given the various personality tests I have take over the years (Myers-Briggs, Belkin etc) plus my long experience in leadership and team building, it does involve a certain approach and way of working with clients.
And for those of us that like this sort of thing, the solutions focused approached to coaching comes with its own specific acronyms. The GROW model, the OSKAR toolkit and so on. Exciting stuff, huh?
When I started out on the coaching journey, I felt that it was best not to discuss these models with clients, but to subtly introduce them at the appropriate moments. As it happens, we were then encouraged to do the opposite and to share with clients the learning journeys that they were on and how each model or process would work. I was sceptical at first but tested it out and found that it does indeed work with many clients.
To date I have worked with clients to make decisions around training for a new career path, to understand how to better manage a difficult upwards business relationship and to successfully apply for a new role. The outcomes can be varied – to stay where they are, to push for a new opportunity or to take a totally new path. Often the result can be different from any pre-held expectations or assumptions.
If you are coming up to a point in your life and/or your career where you need to make a major decision, please contact me here. Let’s chat and see if coaching can provide the solution that you seek.
Let’s start the conversation
