Active Listening 201
This week we will continue to have 1-2 students demonstrate coaching during the main session. Be ready to do a live, main session demo 1 or more times during the training as a whole. This practice helps coaches step into “nervous state coaching” which we experience when coaching new types of clients, interviewing for Corporate Sponsored Coaching organizations, etc.
Active Listening is one of the most important skills of a coach, but it is notoriously hard to measure. Below you will find the ICF’s notes on this Core Competency:
Listens Actively—Focuses on what the client is and is not saying to fully understand what is being communicated in the context of the client systems and to support client self-expression
1. Considers the client’s context, identity, environment, experiences, values and beliefs to enhance understanding of what the client is communicating
2. Reflects or summarizes what the client communicated to ensure clarity and understanding
3. Recognizes and inquires when there is more to what the client is communicating
4. Notices, acknowledges and explores the client’s emotions, energy shifts, non-verbal cues or other behaviors
5. Integrates the client’s words, tone of voice and body language to determine the full meaning of what is being communicated
6. Notices trends in the client’s behaviors and emotions across sessions to discern themes and patterns
https://coachfederation.org/core-competencies
Considering the various options listed above, how does a coach best demonstrate active listening?
Practicing Active Listening
Make sure to use the breakout sessions as a safe space to practice your coaching skills. Share what you want to work on with your peer coaches and focus on sharpening your skills based on your feedback from mentor coaching.