In any field of endeavour we need knowledge, skills and an appropriate state of mind to perform well. Coaching is no different. In previous articles I have written about skills and state of mind. In this article I will consider the knowledge base that good coaches need, both in terms of subject matter expertise and knowledge of coaching itself.
Subject Matter Expertise
There is still some debate around whether coaches need a detailed knowledge of the matter in hand or underlying subject in order to be able to coach another person effectively.
Some argue that it is impossible to coach without subject matter expertise, as without it we can't show another person what to do or give our advice or guidance. However it's clear that telling people what to do is fraught with danger; do I understand how I get results myself? Can I find a way to express that to another person? Will they be able to remember what they've been told? We've also come to recognize that, these days, knowledge is out of date within a few months and it is highly risky to approach any situation with out of date knowledge. Far better then to coach in a way that allows other people to develop their own solutions and to do so in a way that encourages them to become self-reliant in the future.
That being said, as far as being a manager coaching in a work situation is concerned, in reality we probably will have some background in the situations being discussed, but we should resist the temptation to jump in with our own quick fix solutions.
Knowledge of coaching itself
This is a far more important area of knowledge for effective coaching and breaks down into four main areas:
1 What coaching is
We need to understand - and may often need to explain - that coaching is NOT about telling people what to do and how to do it. In fact, coaching is an interventions designed to raise awareness, generate responsibility and build trust.
2 How managers can incorporate coaching in their own style
We all have our own style of communication with some of us preferring a more directive approach and others a less directive one. Managers who coach need to develop an understanding and knowledge of incorporating the principles of coaching into their own natural style.
3 The principles of awareness, responsibility and trust
Before I can change and improve anything I must first become aware of how it is now. Ultimately it is I who must take responsibility for making improvements and changes. I must trust myself to try new things and I must trust my coach to help me do them. The best coaching managers are those that understand and apply these principles.
4 The impact of questioning and active listening
Questions evoke awareness, responsibility and trust infinitely better than instructions or advice, but even the best coaching questions are meaningless without effective listening.
Related Articles
Eating Disorders: What Coaching Managers Should Know
By: Matt Somers | 07/04/2008 | Business
Coaching may uncover deeper issues than are suggested by the initial reason for the coaching session. Whilst I would not advocate amateur psychotherapy, managers who coach would do well to familiarise themselves with some common conditions.This article focuses on eating disorders
Coaching Skills Training: Coaching and Personality Disorders
By: Matt Somers | 30/05/2008 | Business
What starts as a simple, straight-forward coaching conversation around a work related problem can sometimes uncover a deeper issue. Managers who coach are advised to develop a little psychological awareness and this article consdiders the main factors in personality disorders
Coaching Skills Training: the Arrow Questioning Sequence: Reality
By: Matt Somers | 07/07/2008 | Business
If the aims uncovered in a coaching session represent a destination; where a person is trying to get to, then it follows that we need also to think about the starting point. In other words part of our role as coach is to help people understand the reality of their situation.
Use Coaching to Improve Focus
By: Matt Somers | 22/02/2008 | Business
We all know that coaches ask thoughtful questions, but how can we formulate such questions ourselves and bring about the right effect. How can we make sure our questions and instructions are helping our people move forward and not just getting in the way?
Speed Coaching
By: Matt Somers | 29/03/2008 | Business
Does coaching have to be a long, drawn out affair or can it be done at the speed necessary for the modern business environment?
What if Coaching Uncovers a Phobia?
By: Matt Somers | 08/04/2008 | Business
What if a coaching session takes a turn towards unfamilar territory? What if we start coaching around a business issue and end up discussing personal issues? This article takes a look at a common form of abnormal psychology - phobias, so that managers who coach can spot any early warning signs.
Four Arguments for Introducing Coaching
By: Matt Somers | 14/08/2008 | Business
This article provides a sound rationale for introducing coaching in an organisation so that those responsible for doing so can maximise their chances of securing the necessary support.
Coaching Skills Training: the Skill of Active Listening
By: Matt Somers | 13/06/2008 | Business
Coaches put a great amount of effort into asking useful questions. Unfortuantely such efforts can be in vain if we fail to listen just as effectively. This article considers different levels of listening and their effect on a coaching conversation.
Got a Question? Ask.
Ask the community a question about this article:
Q&A Powered by:
Latest Business Articles
Intuit Software: A Tax Preparation Tool
By: Bei M. | 21/08/2008
In the United Stats, tax legislation is popularly complicated and challenging especially in the corporate and business sectors. Almost all businesses are required to file and pay correct tax. The problem is that not all companies are able to handle well their tax preparation initiatives. That is why Intuit software...
Tips When You Strive to Buy Graphics Software
By: Bei M. | 21/08/2008
If you are regularly doing imaging and image-editing tasks in your computer, there is no doubt you are in need of an appropriate and functional graphics software program. That is why, you should aim to find and buy graphics software that would surely be of great use for you. However,...
Getting to Know More About Microsoft Business Software
By: Bei M. | 21/08/2008
There is no denying that currently, Microsoft Corporation is the world's biggest and most popular developer, designer, and maker of the most reliable computer programs and applications. Since its launch and the initial introduction of its first software, the company has never left the focus and minds of computer owners....
Develop a Better Business Model Faster by Analyzing Past Performance as Though These Were New Tests
By: Donald Mitchell | 21/08/2008
Past successes and failures show clues concerning opportunities and hurdles for creating superior business models. Learn from those experiences.
Insights on Successfully Leading Corporate Initiatives
By: Gayla Hodges | 20/08/2008
Corporations often present line managers the challenge of achieving assigned goals on corporate initiatives. In many cases the primary difficulty is that it is hard to see how the initiative relates to the day-to-day-activities of the plant or division or its specific strategic goals in production or sales, etc. Learn how to incorporate the corporate initiatives into daily work and use them to enhance achievement of goals in the strategic plan.
Secret Wholesale List Suppliers: Exposed!
By: Joaquin Reveron | 20/08/2008
You have a business. You need a wholesale list source to expand your product line and surely for possibilities of profiting more from the acquirement of wholesale products from such suppliers. Precisely, one of the easiest ways to get a source contact list of distributors and wholesalers is by hitting...
Wholesale Video Games: Extreme Infamous Tactics!
By: Joaquin Reveron | 20/08/2008
Let say that you have a successful wholesale video games accessory and your back up is your affiliated company that offers DVDs. Pay attention, this is one of the tools many of us on the top use to beat many competitors, make competitors paralyzed and not even make them think...
6 Reasons to Start a Drop Ship Baby Gift Ecommerce Business
By: Stuart Sherm | 20/08/2008
Starting any Ecommerce business is a daunting task, but here are some ideas where you can make money, have virtually no overhead and never leave your home. What you need is to join a great drop ship gift program.
Essentially you are aware that when you buy certain gifts online they...
More from Matt Somers
Are There Arguments Against Introducing Coaching?
By: Matt Somers | 17/08/2008 | Business
In a previous article I set out what I believe to be the compelling reasons why organizations should implement coaching. This article examines the counter arguments which we beleivers in coaching must sometimes respond to.
Four Arguments for Introducing Coaching
By: Matt Somers | 14/08/2008 | Business
This article provides a sound rationale for introducing coaching in an organisation so that those responsible for doing so can maximise their chances of securing the necessary support.
Oaching Skills: Deciding When to Coach
By: Matt Somers | 11/08/2008 | Business
Deciding when to instigate coaching can be tricky, especially in a work situation. This article considers the factors that need to inform your decision.
Setting Out the Business Case for Coaching
By: Matt Somers | 06/08/2008 | Business
Coaching, coaching, coaching.... really good stuff, yadda, yadda. Great organizational benefits, blah, blah. This article sets out the REAL case for coaching
Coaching Skills Training: Working With Coaching Questions
By: Matt Somers | 02/08/2008 | Business
My Coaching ARROW, the ubiquitous GROW model or any of the dozens of other acronyms out there are often thought of and referred to as coaching models but this is a mistake. This article sets out how coaches and managers can be sure their questions achieve the desired result.
Coaching Skills Training - the Arrow Sequence - Plotting the Way Forward
By: Matt Somers | 30/07/2008 | Business
In previous articles I introduced the coaching ARROW, a questioning sequence designed to help coaches navigate a coaching session. We've so far examined setting Aims, checking Reality, Reflecting and generating Options. This article examines the final stage - Way Forward - in detail.
Coaching Skills Training - the Arrow Sequence - Exploring Options
By: Matt Somers | 29/07/2008 | Business
The coaching questions we ask under the first three headings of the coaching ARROW help the people we coach to decide where it is they want to go, where exactly they are starting from and how big the gap is between the two points.
Coaching Skills Training - the Arrow Sequence - Reflection
By: Matt Somers | 28/07/2008 | Business
Previous articles in this series have considered the first two parts of the Coaching ARROW; Aims and Reality. This article examines the third step; Reflection
Business 
