Coach the Person, Not the Problem: A Guide to Using Reflective Inquiry

✍ Scribed by Marcia Reynolds

• Publisher: Berrett-Koehler Publishers
• Tongue: English
• Leaves: 223
• Category: Library

✦ Synopsis

From a founding member of the coaching movement comes a detailed guide to mastering one of a coach's toughest skills: thoughtfully reflecting clients' words and expressions back to them so they see themselves and their world through new eyes.

"Coaches rely far too much on asking open-ended questions," says Marcia Reynolds. But questions only seek answers--inquiry provides insight. When, instead of just questions, clients hear their thoughts, opinions, and beliefs spoken by someone else, it prompts them to critically consider how their thinking affects their goals. Reynolds cites the latest brain science to show why reflective inquiry works and provides techniques, tips, and structures for creating breakthrough conversations.

This book will free coaches from the cult of asking the magical question by offering five essential practices of reflective inquiry: focus on the person, not the problem; summarize what is heard and expressed; identify underlying beliefs and assumptions; unwrap the desired outcome; and articulate insights and commitments. Using these practices, combined with a respectful and caring presence, helps create a space where clients feel safe, seen, and valued for who they are. Coaches become change agents who actively recharge the human spirit. And clients naturally dive deeper and develop personalized solutions that may surprise even the coach.

✦ Table of Contents

Cover
Half Title
Title
Copyright
Dedication
Contents
Introduction: Asking Questions Is Not the Same as Inquiry
Part I: What Is a Coaching Conversation?
1 What Makes Coaching the Person So Powerful?
2 Crazy Coaching Beliefs
Part II: The Five Essential Practices
3 Focus: Coaching the Person, Not the Problem
4 Active Replay: Playing Back the Pivotal Pieces for Review
5 Brain Hacking: Finding the Treasures in the Box
6 Goaltending: Staying the Course
7 New and Next: Coaching Insights and Commitments
Part III: The Three Mental Habits
8 Align Your Brain
9 Receive (Don’t Just Listen)
10 Catch and Release Judgment
Wrap-Up: Beyond the Conversation: Coaching as a Lifestyle and a Culture
Notes
Acknowledgments
Index
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
H
I
J
K
L
M
N
O
P
Q
R
S
T
U
V
W
About the Author