When people I am coaching tell me their planned ‘next step’ for coaching their learner, or for working on an improvement, the question I always ask them is ‘why’? And when they answer, I’ll often ask them ‘why?’ again. And maybe even again after that…Sometimes this is frustrating for learners, but for me, as a coach, it’s an unbelievably important step. As human beings, in our rush to ‘do something’, we often charge ahead without remembering what the real ‘purpose’ of our efforts is. What are we trying to achieve overall, what’s the big picture? What’s the purpose? Everything we ‘do’ should fit in with that purpose we are working towards. So, next time your learner tells you what they’re planning as their next step, ask them ‘why?” It will help them – and you – remember that ‘purpose’.
