When does coaching not work?
17 Jun 2008
There must be times, circumstances or people for whom coaching is not the right solution. When are these and how can we spot them?
Circumstances where coaching is not the right solution are when a person is looking for a specific piece of knowledge or technical solution or answer for a problem that they know has been solved before. In this case they should read a book, find a teacher or tutor or go to an expert or consultant for expert advice.
When an organisation wants to inculcate a consistent and standard approach, set of values or principles across their management or staff team then the best way to do so is through a group conference, training event or communication.
Where there is a certain answer, only one right way of doing things and no room for variation or manoeuvre then coaching is not the answer.
If the person you are coaching only wants you to tell them the answer, to rely on your resources rather than on their own, is not open minded, not prepared to listen and to think and decide for themselves – then they are not the sort of person to respond to coaching. Equally if they have all of the “right answers” themselves, are confident and certain about their journey and actions and ready to put them into action – then at that stage they are not ready for coaching. However, “pride comes before a fall” and if they find that they are getting into difficulty with “Plan A” then they may consider coming to you, as a coach to consider “Plan B, C, D” etc.
If you are attuned to listening and looking out for the appropriate signals you will probably recognise these circumstances or characteristics during your initial coaching session. If they are not apparent then, or you miss or misjudge them then it is likely that they will surface at an early stage in your coaching relationship with the coachee. As soon as you become aware of these barriers to a successful coaching assignment then you should act immediately.
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