A Coaching Power Tool Created by Maria Cusuta
(Leadership Coach, ROMANIA)
We all know that coaching is a supportive process. All over the world coaches do their best in order to support the coachees. We all set the foundation, co-create the relationship, communicate effectively with our clients and facilitate their learning and results.
However coaching is neither teaching, nor counseling. And it is certainly not therapy either, although it originates in it. For a high quality process of coaching support alone is not enough. An essential ingredient is missing here – challenge.
When we properly challenge our clients they become more confident, set courageous goals for themselves, change perspectives, take risks and make tough changes in their lives. These results cannot be reached by an ongoing flow of positive feedback, encouragement and appraisals. Such a never-ending flow becomes boring and ineffective. Thriving to empower, it does just the opposite.
As Lao Tse told
What is overextended becomes diminished, what is too high is cut down.
In conclusion, what is more important for an effective process of coaching, supporting or challenging? The winning formula seems to be SUPPORTING AND CHALLENGING.
