Coaching is the art of creating a teachable moment.

The power of a "good question"

A good coach doesn't have the answers; they have the questions that allow the leader to identify all the elements of the situation and the remedies that best address the specific circumstances.  Colleagues are likely to take the direct route of "telling" which is a dead end for solutions.  The most help comes in the form of a well timed, skillfully crafted question.

Individual Coaching

Coaching is not about providing an opportunity for rumination; nor is it "here is my problem what is the solution?" conversations.  Coaching creates a structure to identify the elements that can be addressed to insure desired outcomes.  These elements typically are related to identifying the authentic want, drawing meaning from emotions and applying that understanding to the situation. The solutions are discovered, not provided.  An effective coach can reflect the issue in a clear and concise fashion, will ask questions without leading and listens for meaning.  The solution can be obvious, once the want or problem is clearly identified. Effective coaching breaks the cyclical self talk leaders find they have with themselves.  Being heard and hearing yourself leads to insights.

The artful opportunity

Strong powerful leaders rarely feel challenged by the "rank and file" (all risk and little reward) but the social contract with a coach grants the permissions to expose vulnerabilities and unquestioned beliefs as well as express emotions and wants.  Additionally, those efforts work to separate the factual truth and from the inferences made.  The exposures can take the negative of the picture painted to the positive of authenticity of the leader in all their relationships.  Once a leader commits to action, the coach checks in to note the progress.