Paul Thornton’s Post

I’ve worked with 2 different groups of managers this week delivering coaching skills training. In the practice sessions it’s always so interesting to witness folks resisting and then slipping into giving advice or steering their coachee with a “have you thought about doing ..? question. It sounds so simple when we talk through the concept of listening and asking open questions, but when we try it out there’s often a realisation of how little our coaching muscles get chance to practice in our day to day. And how easy it is to be drawn into being directive, even if we couch it as coaching! And then, given the space to practice, it’s always incredible to see the impact of even a short 20 minute coaching conversation with a peer. There were many insights! Coaching - simple but not easy. And hugely powerful. 

Let me share a contrarian view on coaching! The conventional coaching playbook is help people figure out things on their own by asking them questions and not giving advice. The goal of coaching is that when people come with a problem, they need to leave with a framework to make a decision and clear next steps. In order to achieve this I structure the conversation into a clear set of steps. I get people to do a sequence of: 1) Information Extraction: get people to put all the information out on the table 2) Synthesize and structure: rewrite the details in a succinct manner 3) Frame the decision: get them to articulate the decision they are trying to make, factors to make decision on and options 4) Share my observations on gaps in their thinking. 5) Share my way of framing of the problem when they are not converging on a framework I don’t shy away from sharing what I would do. I don’t shy away from pushing back on lack of clarity. I don’t shy away from sharing my transparent observations when people are mixing things up. It is not for everyone but it drives outcomes.

In the wide world of coaching, you'll come across a multitude of frameworks, theories and methods in both coaching curriculums and training programs. Yet, at their heart, they all share the same essential elements. Here’s the basic structure of a coaching framework in action: TRUST: Building a genuine, trusting relationship with your client is key. This means creating a space where honest conversations can happen and where everything shared is held in confidence. INSIGHT: Once you and your client have set clear goals, the journey of insight begins. This is where the magic happens – discovering new perspectives, learning through actions, and unlocking potential. ACCOUNTABILITY: This step is all about commitment – your client committing to themselves and their journey of change and development, and your commitment to supporting them. At each session's start, it's essential to connect with your client to understand what they hope to achieve together. From this point of mutual understanding, you can then decide on the coaching tools and framework you’ll use to guide the journey.

It’s the International Coaching Federation’s International Coaching Week. What better time to invest in levelling up your professional coaching skills? We’re passionate about unlocking human potential through the power of coaching. That’s why we’re excited to spotlight: “The Art of Professional Coaching: Unlocking Human Potential in Business.” It’s led by experienced and accredited coaches, David Lowe & Linda Spencer ICF MCC. This is an interactive and transformative experience. Equipping you with the mindset, knowledge, and skills to connect with your clients on a human level. Through over 74 hours of practical, hands-on training, you’ll gain invaluable coaching tools like: ✓⃝ Defining your unique coaching style and presence ✓⃝ Deepening essential skills like listening and questioning ✓⃝ Mastering coaching models, goal-setting, and client needs ✓⃝ Building trust, safety, and rapport with those you coach ✓⃝ Navigating ethical dilemmas with confidence You’ll get individual feedback, practice with your peers, and learn from coaching professionals. This is an opportunity not just to grow your skills, but to discover who you are as a coach. Coaching is more crucial than ever for inspiring peak performance and human potential. With this program, you’ll be equipped to provide truly transformative coaching. Coaching that unlocks creativity and sustained learning. So, take this International Coaching Week as your cue! Join the waitlist for our “Art of Professional Coaching” program today and invest in yourself. It’s time to level up and inspire the amazing humans within your clients and colleagues. Are you ready to unlock new potential?

🚨 Busting Coaching Myths Workshop with Terry Lefteri! 🚨 🗓 Monday, 18th November @ 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM 📍 Live via Zoom 💭 Are you ready to debunk the most common myths about coaching? Coaching is so often misunderstood in our industry, leading to mixed information and confusion. With years of experience as a qualified driving coach & tutor I’ll dispel the most common myths surrounding coaching such as ‘Sometimes I’ll coach and sometimes I’ll instruct’ or ‘If I’m asking them how they want to do something then I’m coaching’ or even ‘At the beginning I instruct and when they get better I start to coach’. None of these (and more) are coaching, and you’ll discover why! I’ll delve into what coaching truly means…..and what it definitely doesn’t! (You might be surprised!) By the end of this workshop you will have discovered a deeper understanding of how coaching works, the vital role it plays in the world of road safety and the impact it can have on post-test driving. Join me, and together, we’ll transform the way you approach coaching. Leaving you with the confidence and the very latest techniques to really make a difference to the young people you teach. Don’t let misconceptions hold you back; let’s debunk the myths and elevate your coaching skills together. 📌 Limited spaces available! Register now using the link in the comment section to secure your spot!

The Power of Reflection in Coaching Reflection is one of the most powerful tools a coach can use. Taking the time to reflect on your sessions and interactions allows you to critically assess what worked well and what could be improved. Reflection should be an ongoing process, not just a post-session task. By consistently reflecting on your decisions, actions, and outcomes, you begin to develop a deeper understanding of your own coaching style and how to enhance it. As highlighted by Gilbert & Trudel (2004), effective coaching is closely linked to the ability to engage in reflective practice. They argue that coaches who engage in structured reflection are better able to adapt their approaches to suit the needs of their players. Reflection also allows coaches to identify gaps in their knowledge and experience, enabling continuous professional growth. Questions for Reflection: How often do you set aside time to reflect on your coaching practice? What methods do you use to structure your reflections and learning from each session? Call to Action: How do you incorporate reflection into your coaching? Share your reflections or tools you use to improve your practice. Let’s discuss in the comments!

Coaching safety starts here! Top tips for having a positive, empowering and SAFE coaching experience! I've had the privilege of working with incredible coaches who are skilled, ethical, and committed. Unfortunately, I’ve also heard some horror stories that raised my concerns 😬 As a safety practitioner and coach, I’m passionate about making the coaching industry safer for everyone. The key? ABC – Always Be Curious! Knowing the right questions to ask helps you make informed choices before picking the right coach for you. I’m launching a series of coaching safety tips - insights I’ve gained from both practising and receiving coaching. Stay tuned for tip #1 tomorrow to ensure your coaching journey is safe and empowering! 💡 #Coaching #SafetyTips #ResponsibleCoaching #CoachingEthics #ClientCuriosity #CoachingIndustry #ProfessionalDevelopment #ABCAlwaysBeCurious #CoachingSafety #StayInformed #EmpowerYourself #Coaching #ProfessionalDevelopment

Not only does coaching double or triple your ROI, but there are certain steps to prepare to work with a personal development coach. Those steps are: 1) Pause and reflect on what you want to work on (this might be a struggle you are working through) 2) Take an assessment (I facilitate this in our initial coaching session) 3) Adopt a growth mindset 4) Think about what you want to get out of coaching sessions 5) Identify what you would like to change 6) Root down in your purpose Coaches- what would you add to these steps? Read more from Better Up on coaching here (including how a coaching culture can benefit your organization): https://lnkd.in/dewD9QgG

Before I first stepped into the world of coaching, I thought it was all about giving advice, offering solutions, and showing people the way. I quickly learned that effective coaching is not about having the answers – it's about helping clients uncover their own. This shift in perspective was both humbling and eye-opening. A fundamental principle of coaching is that the client holds the key to their own success. As a coach, my role is to create a safe space, ask thought-provoking questions, and guide clients toward deeper self-awareness. Rather than providing solutions, coaching allows clients to explore their goals, values, and challenges. It’s about facilitating discovery, not delivering instructions.

Coaching is the the most underrated skill in Product, by far. Being able to coach others means being able to increase the team’s value exponentially. Everyone is so obsessed with frameworks, processes, and methodologies, that they often forgot to learn how to coach. But coaching goes way further than creating an efficient process for work to happen. A good coach enables others to solve problems independently, without needing guard rails, or some sorta mediator to step in and take the wheel. Proper coaching is often missing in product orgs, and it shows. Usually it’s because folks who can coach often undervalue the skill, and those who can’t don’t see the need to learn. But if you leading people and aren’t developing your coaching skills, you’re doing a disservice to both your team and the business. And if you’re not sure where to start, try hiring your one for yourself - it might just change your life.