Coaching

One leader compared coaching to “Coming Alongside and Drawing Out” vs. mentoring as “Going Before and Pouring In!” (Tom Wymore)

We live in an age of self-discovery. Jesus lived in a similar era. He knew when it was time to be the expert. And when he needed to coach people by listening and asking powerful questions so that people could:

• discover for themselves who He was
• discover who they were in relationship to Him (be) and
• discover how they were designed to lead like Him (do).

Another way of distinguishing coaching from other ways of working with people is a “relationship with a purpose”. (Bob Logan)

A helpful working definition of Coaching is a relational process to help the new disciple or leader discern the plan of the Holy Spirit in some part of their personal or ministry development; and ways to cooperate with Him.

• Objectives – What do you want to accomplish in a coach relationship?
• Measures – How will you know when you have achieved your objective?
• Gains – What do you want the impact to be for you and your organization?
• Logistics –
  • What is the duration of the coaching relationship?
  • What is the frequency of appointments?
  • How long is each appointment?
  • What is your preference when meeting (in person, web-conference call, phone)?
  • What costs are involved?
  • Use an online coaching tool to prepare for coaching appointments, enter notes and track action plans.
  • Evaluate at the mid-way point and conclusion of a coaching relationship.

• Agenda Harmony – each appointment has a specific agenda that the leader co-creates with the coach. I use an online coaching tool to navigate the important aspects of the conversation:
  • Key issues identified
  • Vision clarified
  • Actions brainstormed
  • Plan set
  • Accountability established: InFocus Coaching Tool 

Empowerment

The things you discover on your own, you are more likely to act on. That is why I work hard to listen carefully and ask questions that lead to new insights. With a keen awareness of the priorities, actions needed and the work required – you will be motivated to act. Leaders grow at a much greater rate when I facilitate the process of self-discovery vs. telling people what they need to do as the “expert”.

Support

A simple equation for leader effectiveness is a Relevant Vision + Strategic Effort + Relational Support = Maximum Impact. This is one reason why people need a coach. If people could consistently reach their potential without the support of another person in life, they would!

Focus

I want to help you leverage your time, talents and treasures for Kingdom advancement – to that end, I help you clarify the most important thing to focus on for a season. I like what Covey described as “important but not urgent“ activities. The most fruitful coaching conversations are focused on Quadrant II activity.

Principled based

• Universal principles are fundamental to my process vs. a particular model of ministry that leaders are forced to embrace. I rely on tried and true principles that operate across cultures, languages and a variety of contexts.
• While coaching a lead pastor to disciple people outside his church, he realized that most of the congregation’s energy was focused on people who were already Christ followers. This revelation sent him on a different journey to see people far from God come into relationship with Him. I like to help leaders discover, adapt and implement those strategies that impact lives for the Kingdom!

Need-driven

• Driven by the need of the moment with an eye on the BIG picture. When we initiate a coaching relationship I ask you to clarify what you want to achieve and as long as we remain focused on that agenda, then the relationship will fulfill its intended purpose.
• I coached a leader for over a decade to catalyze a movement of reproducing disciples, leaders and churches. Every appointment we focused on a different aspect of that vision and now 15+ years later that vision is becoming a reality. My job is to do everything in my ability as a coach to help you achieve your vision.

Processed oriented

• Formulas work well in a sterile laboratory. However, the complexities of life and ministry oftentimes interfere with the best laid plans.
• I remember a church planter that I coached many years ago who had a number of “wins”, resulting in a growing church. Then, almost out of the blue, several poor decisions stalled the ministry. What looked promising on paper did not materialize and he was forced to do a re-set.

Sorting through the Noise!

There is no shortage of training & resources today. Domestically and internationally, opportunities abound with the connectivity that technology & travel provide; there is no reason why emerging leaders or seasoned veterans should not receive the help they need.

I’m constantly asking the question – how can I help others become more effective leaders so that we can develop more and better disciples, leaders & churches?  In that quest to refine and improve I’ve found certain resources that deliver the results that make a difference.

Following are some or the resources that are uniquely suited for a coaching relationship and consistent with the distinct approach I take.

How are coaching resources different?

Books, seminars, webinars, conferences and educational programs are content heavy. I like the idea of attending a conference or reading a book and then having the opportunity to de-brief the information with another person or group. That allows the information to be unpacked in a relevant and relational manner. By themselves these are all wonderful resources but they are different from “coaching” resources in significant ways:

• Coaching resources are weighted heavily on the implementation of actions to be taken.
• Coaching resources provide a framework, strategic information and questions for reflection.
• Coaching resources are developed with a leader in mind who is being coached individually or in a team.
• Coaching resources are developed by experts for leaders that need someone to facilitate the self-discovery process, not a consultant.
• Coaching resources are reproducible so that other coaches can use them with some training.

Leadership Multiplication Pathway

• Obedient Discipleship
• Focused Ministry
• Effective Leadership
• Cultivating Continuous Multiplication

• Objectives – What do you want to accomplish in a coach relationship?
• Measures – How will you know when you have achieved your objective?
• Gains – What do you want the impact to be for you and your organization? 

If we meet or surpass these expectations then we are successful.