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When clients understand that they have choices and they get to choose all the time, it creates infinite possibilities and a real sense of personal power.
Choice is Better Than No Choice
When working with clients around being accountable, we must always hold them as infinitely resourceful for creating anything they desire. Many times, I have experienced a client coming to the call in total defeat about being able to achieve their goals. By being empathic, holding them accountable—without blame and judgment—and staying neutral, the call ends with a deeper sense of resolve and possibilities.
When beginning new client relationships, I help my clients understand what it means to be accountable. Most people come to be coached because they want to create some type of change. Well, change means that they must be willing to examine all that they know and all that they do, to see where course corrections can be made. This points them in a new direction. I let clients know that as a result of our coaching relationship they will experience a new relationship with the results in their life. From this new experience, they will continue to understand the value of being accountable, long after coaching.
Notice that I wrote “being” accountable? Accountability is not something we do but rather a way of being—like ownership. There is a difference between being accountable and being responsible. Again, this is why many people get confused about their results. "I am responsible" means that I can choose how to respond to any situation. It is being proactive versus reactive. Being accountable means ownership and I get to look at all my choices and actions that lead to a specific result.
Exploring Barriers to Performance
It is when clients do not see that they have the power of choice they become blocked. Many times this comes from their “personal barrier to performance,” as I like to call it. We all have them and we all use them, especially when we are not feeling confident, clear and resourceful. These become our natural STOP signs along our road of getting where we want to be.
Let's look at some familiar barriers or STOP signs:
- Explaining — Defending, justifying and focusing on all the circumstances that lead to the outcome or results they created. This is the STORY they hold to be true and many times it is challenging for coaches to intervene in the story.
- Confusion — People who rely heavily on information to be confident before moving ahead will find themselves confused, unclear and asking many questions of their coach. Confusion is a typical barrier for personality types that tend to be more analytic. Confusion leads to procrastination and lack of action.
- Doubters — Worried but hopeful. This is the wait and see attitude. They would rather let someone else go first and take what they perceive as a risk. They benefit from coaching where they see themselves as capable and confident.
- Victim or Trier — Never quite makes it. Makes the run for the goal again and again and falls short. Coaching the Victim or Trier requires that as a coach we work to break it down into small enough steps and actions that reduces the element of risk. The more success clients have the greater confidence they gain and willingness to take more risks.
- Cynic or Distrusting — Create a good deal of evidence about how others will not support them or they cannot trust the positive intention of those they have as resources. Cynics come from a history of failing or having others let them down. They work hard to protect themselves and use their cynicism as a great cover up. When coaching cynics it is great to ask "what if" questions followed by "then what?" Eventually they will lead themselves to a place where they begin to see a positive outcome potential and more willing to take action.
As we coach our clients, listen when they talk about their results, or declare what they want. Usually one of these barriers comes up. So how does a coach work with a client to have ownership and accountably when faced with these barriers?
Finding the Way & Overcoming Barriers
As you and your client, look at their results, the first thing to review is the actual result. For example, I was working with a client recently who shared that they have NEVER in their professional life ever been as stuck as they were at this time of change. Taking the focus off the immediate circumstance and all the explanation about why things were the way they were, I began to explore with them a time when they had been challenged, gotten through it and learned some valuable lessons. I might also ask some of the following questions, to create awareness and renewed commitment:
- What were the assumptions you made that lead to the action?
- What was the attitude you held before you took action? (i.e. positive versus skeptical)
- What belief did you have about what had been possible?
- What was the level of commitment you had prior to achieving the goal?
- Looking back, what resources do you now see that can support you?
- What new actions can you take or what new attitudes can you adopt?
By enrolling clients in making new choices and taking new actions, they are empowered to move forward using all the information from the past.
About Barbara Fagan
Barbara Fagan is co-founder of Source Point Training. She has worked as a master coach and facilitator within the U.S. and international businesses community for more than twenty years. Barbara began coaching in 1987 before it was a "known" profession, and co-founded The Coaching Company in San Francisco. She is an excellent coach for individuals and businesses involved in leadership and managing change, which includes working through career transitions, defining strategic business imperatives and communicating with clarity to reach alignment. She is affiliated with the International Coach Federation and the International Association of Coaches. Prior to co-founding Source Point Training, with Lou Dozier, Barbara was President of Resource Realizations and the Director of The Resource Academy, which trained and certified professional coaches.
About Source Point Training
Source Point Training was founded in 2009 by Barbara Fagan and Lou Dozier and is known for developing coaches, facilitators and leader of positive change. It offers a unique educational opportunity that integrates the best of transformational training, inspirational learning and practical application. Source Point Training offer programs in personal and professional development, leadership skill building, relationship coaching and fundamentals of coaching.
Leadership Source
Source Point Training’s next Leadership Source training begins January 13-15, 2012 in San Diego, California. This training begins with a high-impact, two-day weekend where goals are declared and leadership principles are explored. Over the next ten weeks, Leadership Coaches work one-on-one to align with your agenda and goals. Return for a second two-day weekend to review and celebrate, with your team, the profound lessons and changes that have occurred. View the latest press release.
http://www.SourcePointTraining.com/leadership-training/leadership-source
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