Chapter 5 - STRETCHING THE CLIENT Flashcards
What is the definition of ‘challenge’ according to The American Heritage Dictionary?
To summon to action, effort or use; to stimulate.
What is the primary purpose of the coaching skill called ‘standing for clients’?
To recall for clients the truth of what they want for themselves and the real possibility of attaining it.
What are the two ends of the coaching continuum?
- Listen Fully and Affirm
- Give the Answer
Describe the ‘Listen Fully and Affirm’ stage in the coaching continuum.
Full, heartfelt, and soulful listening with great empathy and heart.
What is involved in the ‘Listen Fully and Feed Back the Problem’ stage?
Listening fully, affirming clients, and briefly summarizing the essence of what you hear.
What does the ‘Ask Clients to Generate a Few New Possibilities’ stage entail?
Being directive by asking clients to identify several new possibilities for attention and action.
How does the ‘Ask Clients to Generate Many Possibilities’ stage differ from the previous one?
It stretches clients to generate many possibilities, often aiming for 10 or 12 options.
What is the role of the coach in the ‘Add Your Input to Clients’ Lists of Possibilities’ stage?
To join clients in brainstorming and adding suggestions to their list of possibilities.
What is the focus of the ‘Present at Least 10 Possibilities’ stage?
To stretch clients by presenting possibilities that are outside their comfort zone.
Why do clients need to consider contradictory possibilities in the coaching process?
To force clients to choose between very different arenas of action.
What does the ‘Present at Least Three Possibilities’ stage require from the coach?
To offer three possibilities of equal value and discuss their benefits and consequences.
What is the purpose of the ‘Teach a New Technique’ stage in coaching?
To teach clients something new to help them move beyond their current situation.
What does ‘Offer an Option’ imply in the coaching continuum?
Offering only one option for consideration, which can act as a reframing strategy.
In which stage of the coaching continuum does giving advice occur?
Give Advice or Give the Answer.
What is a key characteristic of masterful coaching?
Challenging clients in supportive and encouraging ways.
What can a strong request for change appear to clients?
A challenge.
Who is used as an analogy for effective challenging in coaching?
Bill Self, the men’s basketball coach at the University of Kansas.
What are some common ways coaches challenge clients?
- Make huge requests
- Double the goal
- Reduce the time to accomplish something
- Ask clients to document progress
- Measure results and establish benchmarks
- Raise standards and expectations
- Ask clients to do the opposite of normal behavior
- Ask courageous questions
- Expect more from clients than they expect from themselves
- Request fieldwork and practices
- Maintain high standards
- Press clients to consider the truth
Fill in the blank: Coaches can challenge clients by asking them to ______ their standards and expectations for themselves.
[raise]
True or False: Challenging clients should be done disrespectfully.
False.
What might happen if a coach teaches clients too early in the coaching relationship?
Clients may become dependent on the coach for answers.
What is the significance of the analogy from the sports arena regarding challenging others?
It illustrates the importance of challenging respectfully and constructively.
What should coaches ask clients to do regarding their normal behaviors?
Ask clients to do the opposite of what they would normally.
What type of questions should coaches ask clients?
Ask straight questions that no one else in the client’s world has the courage to ask.
What is expected from clients in the coaching process?
Expect a great deal from clients—perhaps more than they expect of themselves.
What practices should coaches ask clients to maintain focus?
Ask for fieldwork and practices to keep clients focused.
What is essential for maintaining high standards in coaching?
Be rigorous about examining their accomplishments and actions.
What should coaches encourage clients to consider?
Consider the truth, not just the first answer that may come to mind.
What should clients commit to in their coaching journey?
Be diligent about asking clients to commit to their promises.
What is the purpose of using distinctions in coaching?
To offer clients a chance to see something about the situation that has not been visible to them.
What is a shift in the context of coaching?
A cognitive, emotional, or behavioral movement from one state to another.
Provide an example of a distinction that could support a client.
- Unconscious incompetence versus conscious incompetence * A goal versus a pipe dream * Just being competent versus achieving mastery * Having to be right all the time versus allowing others to be right as well
What is the significance of language in growth and development?
Our ability to grow and develop depends on our language.
How should coaches maintain their tone when using distinctions?
Make sure your voice tone and words remain nonjudgmental.
What is the role of metaphors in coaching?
Metaphors create powerful, rapid learning by linking what is unfamiliar or novel with what is known.
What are the two reasons metaphors and analogies are powerful tools?
- Offers new perspective on an issue * Links with preexisting thoughts, emotions, and beliefs
What metaphor might a coach use to describe family life?
Imagine your family life is a garden.
How can a journey metaphor be defined in coaching?
A journey may have a destination but does not have a specific route planned.
What is a common metaphor used in business coaching?
We need to think outside the box.
What should be ensured when using metaphors in coaching?
The clients must be familiar enough with the metaphor to understand its application.
What is an effective metaphor in coaching supposed to create?
The intended emotional effect on clients.
What can help generate metaphors during coaching?
Consider what the client’s journey is most like.
Fill in the blank: A distinction between _______ and _______ can help clients understand their situations better.
trip; journey
True or False: Using metaphors in coaching is merely an enhancement to language.
False.
What does a garden metaphor imply about family life?
It requires soil preparation, thought about what to plant, and conscious, purposeful nurturing.
What metaphor can illustrate the concept of family dynamics?
The metaphor of a game.
What is an example of a personal metaphor from students?
- Planting flowers * Playing cards * Savings account
What metaphor describes the learning process as nurturing a seed?
Planting flowers
The seed represents initial knowledge that is cultivated over time.
What metaphor involves dividing information into categories to look for patterns?
Playing cards
This metaphor illustrates the logical organization of information.
How is learning compared to a savings account?
Savings account
Time invested in accumulating knowledge leads to interest in new ideas.
What metaphor signifies gaining insight suddenly?
Switching on a lightbulb
Represents the moment of realization or understanding.
What is the metaphor for needing basic knowledge before advanced understanding?
Eating
One must understand foundational concepts before grasping more complex ideas.
What metaphor describes the investigative process of learning?
Being a detective
Involves uncovering facts and asking questions to solve a problem.
What metaphor represents gradually uncovering deeper understanding?
Peeling an onion
Each layer removed reveals more insight about the core issue.
What metaphor describes the learning journey as a continuous search?
A quest
Reflects the ongoing nature of seeking knowledge.
What metaphor illustrates the creative process of shaping ideas?
Sculpting
Involves taking raw material and forming it into something meaningful.
What metaphor indicates struggling with concepts until they are understood?
Wrestling
Represents the effort required to grasp complex ideas.
What is the purpose of making requests in coaching?
To empower clients to explore new approaches
Requests engage clients in their learning and development process.
What distinguishes a request from an invitation?
A request conveys urgency
Clients must respond immediately, unlike an invitation.
What three response choices do clients have to a request?
- Yes
- No
- No, but here’s what I’ll do instead
These responses facilitate further exploration of client commitment.
Why is it important for requests to be specific?
To clearly identify client commitments
Specificity ensures mutual understanding of expectations.
What common inconsistencies might clients display?
- What clients say they want vs. what they do
- What clients say they feel vs. their nonverbal behavior
- What clients claim are their priorities vs. their actions
- What clients say are their strengths vs. their true capabilities
Identifying these discrepancies can enhance the coaching process.
What is the ‘compassionate edge’ in coaching?
A direct challenge delivered with empathy
Helps clients confront their truths while maintaining support.
How does the compassionate edge benefit coaches?
Attracts high-powered clients who value directness
Mastery of this approach leads to more effective coaching relationships.
Give an example of a statement using the compassionate edge.
That’s good work but not nearly what you are capable of. What else can you do here?
This statement challenges the client while remaining supportive.
What is the focus of the chapter discussed in the text?
Maintaining a fierce commitment to the client’s goals and compassion for their journey
Emphasizes the importance of overcoming obstacles in coaching.
