CHAPTER 10 METHODOLOGY: AN INTRODUCTION

The chapters in Part Four examine the necessity for a thorough coaching methodology based on knowledge-based competencies that inform the work of coaching and support the overall coaching engagement from the first introductory conversation to the final session. The essence of coaching lies in the art of supporting an individual toward an important change that leads to a more fulfilling future and addresses the changes and adjustments required in one’s current life as a leader and human being. This sounds straightforward, but in reality, the essential elements needed to achieve this goal are quite complex for the coach. Here are just a few of the questions that are addressed in a sound methodology:

What does a coach need to understand about herself in order to be effective in coaching another human being?
How does the coach discern which clients are good fits with her background, approach, and style?
How does the coaching engagement predictably unfold, and what occurs within each session?
How does the coach reconcile the goals of the client with the overall goals of the organization in such a way that both are met?
How does the coach assess the client’s circumstances, readiness, learning style, and commitment to the work?
How does the coach respond to client resistance?
How does the coach build on the client’s strengths?
How does the coaching plan unfold?
How are coaching outcomes measured?

All of these questions and more are on the minds of emerging and masterful coaches alike, and each demands careful examination.

Part Four focuses on the importance of a robust and reliable methodology that addresses the complexities of the coaching engagement from beginning to end, whether the goals of a coaching engagement are significant and the changes are deep, or the engagement is short term and highly focused. Several existing fields of study, including organizational development, clinical psychology, and related professions, teach us that a sound and reliable methodology is one of the most important elements in facilitating sustainable and lasting change. A grounded methodology allows a coach to consistently anchor the coaching work in essential ingredients known to be critical to the success of the work. A reliable methodology also provides the basis for studying and analyzing coaching cases within both the organizational and the individual contexts and ensures that best practices prevail. Both of these are essential for the health and sustainability of the field of coaching. Throughout the methodology discussion that follows, attention is given to what’s unique in a coaching methodology when coaching a leader within the organizational (large or small) context and when engaging in transitional coaching work that might intersect with entering or departing from a leadership role, along with all of the predictable transitions in life that require the client to make important changes.