Coaching Techniques

Coaching vs. Other Approaches

The Core Principle

Ask, don't tell. The coachee holds the answers; your job is to help them find those answers.

Module 1: The GROW Model

Framework Overview

Goal Phase Questions

• "What would you like to focus on today?"
• "What outcome do you want from this conversation?"
• "How will you know you've achieved it?"
• "Why is this important to you now?"
• "What would success look like?"

Reality Phase Questions

• "What's happening currently?"
• "What have you tried so far?"
• "What's working? What isn't?"
• "What obstacles are in the way?"
• "On a scale of 1-10, where are you now?"
• "What resources do you already have?"

Options Phase Questions

• "What options do you see?"
• "What else could you do?"
• "If you had unlimited resources, what would you try?"
• "What would you advise a friend in this situation?"
• "What's the opposite approach?"
• "Which options appeal to you most?"

Will Phase Questions

• "Which option will you pursue?"
• "When will you do this?"
• "What's your first step?"
• "What support do you need?"
• "How will you hold yourself accountable?"
• "On a scale of 1-10, how committed are you?"

Module 2: Active Listening

The Three Levels of Listening

Active Listening Techniques

Non-Verbal Awareness

Listening Blockers

Module 3: Powerful Questions

Question Characteristics

Question Types

Questions to Avoid

Module 4: Feedback for Development

The SBI Model

Feedforward (Marshall Goldsmith)

Instead of critiquing the past, suggest for the future:

1. Pick one behavior to improve
2. Ask for suggestions (not feedback)
3. Listen without defending
4. Thank without evaluating

Example: "I want to be better at running inclusive meetings. What one suggestion do you have?"

Receiving Feedback

Praise Effectively

Module 5: Coaching Difficult Moments

When Coachee is Stuck

Resistance Patterns

When Coaching Isn't Appropriate

Module 6: Coaching Cadence

Regular Coaching Rhythms

1:1 Structure

Documentation

Track coaching conversations:

• Date and duration
• Topics discussed
• Key insights
• Commitments made
• Follow-up items

Quick Reference

GROW Cheat Sheet

G: What do you want?
R: Where are you now?
O: What could you do?
W: What will you do?

Coaching Checklist

• Created safe space
• More listening than talking (80/20)
• Asked open questions
• Avoided giving advice
• Explored options together
• Coachee owns the answer
• Clear commitment made
• Follow-up scheduled

Phrases That Work

Red Flags in Coaching

Activation Patterns

Skill created: 2026-02-10 | Category: Leadership | Status: Active

Synapses

• [.github/skills/frustration-recognition/SKILL.md] (High, Enables, Bidirectional) - "Recognize coachee emotional state"
• [.github/instructions/alex-core.instructions.md] (Medium, Applies, Forward) - "Meta-cognitive awareness in coaching"
• [.github/skills/executive-storytelling/SKILL.md] (Medium, Complements, Bidirectional) - "Leadership communication skills"