Coaching is a word used often in organisations and as such it can have different interpretations and meanings.
In its broadest definition coaching covers a wide range of communication styles from a directive style of giving instructions and telling people what to do, to a more non-directive style based on active listening and asking questions.
What is non-directive coaching?
Non-directive coaching is a process of supporting and challenging the ‘coachee’ to think through their own ideas, issues, or problems. As such this form of coaching is neither teaching nor advising. At the heart of non-directive coaching is the skill of asking questions which serve to raise the coachee’s own awareness of the topic under discussion. For example, questions which encourage the coachee to consider and analyse all options, or questions which challenge the coachee to question their own opinions or views.
Value for the workshop participant and for the organisation
By including non-directive skills within a management or leadership style, the manager or leader is able to more effectively:
- delegate responsibility and accountability,
- empower and motivate others to take initiative,
- allow others to express their own ideas and opinions, and to
- develop the knowledge and skills of individuals or teams.
It is the non-directive approach to coaching which often requires a more skilful and disciplined approach for it to be successfully used in the workplace. And it is practice and development of the non-directive style of coaching that is the focus of this workshop.
Learning objectives of this workshop include:
- understanding the difference between directive and non-directive coaching,
- developing participants’ skills in non-directive coaching, namely active listening, questioning, summarising & reflecting,
- explaining the process by which a non-directive coaching conversation is managed,
- providing time for participants to practice coaching in small groups to assess and develop their confidence and competence in using non-directive coaching skills.