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Fix, fluff, follow: the tools of a charlatan!

This week, I had a few encounters with the charlatan problem in coaching: everyone can call themselves a coach and since business coaching and life

Reflective Practice: Developing Excellence

The Solution Focused approach concentrates on a rich description of the desired future and a description of the instances in which this future was already

My new hire questions EVERYTHING!

My colleague Chris and I were facilitating a “mastermind group” for leaders this week. In our experience, this is one of the best ways for

Listening for “the who”

No, I don’t mean the Doctor or the band :-). The International Coaching Federation created “PCC markers“, behaviors displayed by professional coaches. They state: 5.1:

How to summarize concisely and usefully

In the ICF core competency 6 under “Active Listening”, we read: “Reflects or summarizes what the client communicated to ensure clarity and understanding” and the

Hot Tips for Group Coaching

Group coaching seems “en vogue” — it seems that every year, we have a new kid on the block: Working out Loud, Mastermind Groups, Action

Listening like a pro in conflict coaching

I got to teach one of my favorite classes the other day: “Solution Focused Conflict Coaching” and we were focusing a lot on how to

“Leading” questions

As coaches, we are careful not to ask “leading” questions (at least that is what we are asked to do according to the ICF competencies).

Exploration vs. Solution?

Aaaaaaaand in one corner of the ring we have “EXPLORATION”, the master of awareness, wearer of the belt of insight, triple champion of the “coaching

My client has no topic!

And then? So… what is the problem with no problem? Hm… usually, I would simply say: “Ah — so then, let’s cancel the session and

Coaching for clients in crisis situations

In 2004, I was vacationing with my family on the Maldives when the devastating Sumatra earthquake and the ensuing tsunami hit the idyllic flat little

Should a coach take notes?

Ah, yes, here we are again quoting the golden rule of coaching: “It all depends”. So I am sorry if you came here for a

On top of Mount Stupid

Don’t you love the view? If you are like me, you’ve spent years and years or months and months hiking up this beautiful mountain, jumped

NEVER ask a WHY-question — why should you?

In many coaching schools or leadership courses you learn NEVER to ask why questions. They lead to: Assigning blame Asking for justification Deepening the discussion

Is a coach a cheerleader?

According to the updated core competency model of the International Coaching Federation, a coach “celebrates the client’s progress and successes”, “notices what is working to enhance client

Fix, fluff, follow: the tools of a charlatan!

Reflective Practice: Developing Excellence

My new hire questions EVERYTHING!

Listening for “the who”

How to summarize concisely and usefully

Hot Tips for Group Coaching

Listening like a pro in conflict coaching

“Leading” questions

Exploration vs. Solution?

My client has no topic!

Coaching for clients in crisis situations

Should a coach take notes?

On top of Mount Stupid

NEVER ask a WHY-question — why should you?

Is a coach a cheerleader?

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