An amazing set of positive words that contribute to the meaning and values of coaching, irrespective of context:

vision, values, beliefs, learning, self, others, exploration, possibilities, potential, me, transformation, learning about things, emotions, mind and body, awareness, action, epiphany, light-bulb-moments, aha!, liberation, self actualisation, culture, whole person, self knowledge, understanding, truth, challenges, contribution, decisions, individual, non-judgemental, improvement, attention, intention, self enhancement, experience, experiment, safe, trusting, enabling, raising awareness, developing actions, my way, knowledge, goal, direction, journey, visionary, contribution, new behaviour, self development, responsibility, questions, relationship, shifts, movements, choice, focus, evolving, knowing, personal, cultural, forward looking, change, positive, appreciative, whole-person, affiliation, direction, new belief, liberating belief, incisive questions, moving forward questions, accountability, self awareness, commitment, action, results, curiousity, exploring, new horizons, forward, agreements, vision, future

3 min coaching words brainstorm

The above is how http://www.wordle.net sees it!

• Coach Approach to 360° feedback Supporting colleagues in understanding and acting upon their 360° feedback report is a vital role in the development of leadership skills and competencies throughout an organization. Managers can very effectively support each other in all manner of ways; debriefing a 360 report is great example. Use your coaching skills; avoid leading &/or giving......
• How do you describe coaching to others? An approach I often use is not to tell them what I 'do' but to ask them questions(!) - well there's nothing like modelling coaching to describe what potential there can be in the relationship. For example something like below - this is really a picking list of statements that......
• Coaching -vs- Mentoring Often when working with Managers on coaching skills we get asked about the differences between Coaching and Mentoring.  The diagram below attempts to clarify and also mentions different styles / behaviours.  Coaching and Mentoring are very much future focussed.  Whilst asking questions is the dominant style for coaching, I strongly believe that......
• Why Coaching? Performance Related Coaching, its relevance and place in business today   Coaching and being coached are essential activities for 21st century business leaders.  In an environment of uncertainty, intense competition and globalisation of markets, innovation, creativity and improved performance are vital to the survival of businesses.   “People, not capital,......
• Why is turning Managers into Coaches so difficult? The above question attracted by attention and I replied as follows:  (references are at the bottom of the post) Experience tells me that it's not appropriate to 'turn managers into coaches' and that it's much more relevant to support managers to have a 'coach approach' - seemingly subtle linguistically and......

• Frequently Asked Questions about Corporate Blogging If you are completely new to blogging, you may find that you have a lot of questions and at times, it can be hard to find the answers. We’ve compiled the most common issues facing new corporate bloggers and supplied the answers to these problems below. 1. Is this going......
• The Three Gunas – Tamas, Rajas and Sattva – Which Path Are You On? Tamas, Rajas and Sattva – Which of the Three Gunas Best Describes You? In Eastern Sanskrit traditions, there are three aspects to our personalities, and we each display all of them at different times in our lives.  It’s believed the source of these gunas is our karmic impressions and lessons we’ve......
• The Best Way to Retire Early There are a lot of retirement calculators out there offering to calculate how much you'll need in retirement. I don't think too much about retirement, but I am saving about 15% of my take-home pay (10% pre-tax) in a Roth 401(k). I got to thinking how much additional money I would......
• When the Going Gets Tough I’m speaking of is the moment during a healing journey when it’s clearly time for action. Goals have been established, the past discussed, contributing events and significant people defined and it is now time to bring attention to intention and take the first action step. This is a time of...
• Whats Up With All The Systems? It seems every day a new "system" that is going to blow away all the other systems comes out.  Almost weekly!  The real question to ask is can any of the systems out there including mine make you any money? I usually join everything that comes out, I would realistically......

Before starting a series of coaching sessions it’s useful to reflect and prepare what you want to get from your coaching investment.  Some useful questions are below, click to see full size:

• Why is turning Managers into Coaches so difficult? The above question attracted by attention and I replied as follows:  (references are at the bottom of the post) Experience tells me that it's not appropriate to 'turn managers into coaches' and that it's much more relevant to support managers to have a 'coach approach' - seemingly subtle linguistically and......
• Building and applying real coaching skills in managers and leaders Often I hear of frustration and disappointment that managers and leaders  who have been on a coaching skills workshop do very little with it on their return to the workplace.  It seems, from my experience, that the introducing managers to the skills and models applicable in coaching is a realtively......
• Coaching as a conversation Again and again I bump into this or that model of coaching, a 3 step, 4 step, 5 step, even an 8 step model.  Whilst I do appreciate that all these have their place, and especially for new coaches, are extremely useful for the purposes of 'navigation,' I worry a......
• Using objects while coaching Using Objects as an aid to a Coaching Conversation   Introduction This article explains how everyday objects such as a pencil, pen, cup, saucer or spoon can be used to great effect in a coaching session.  Applications This technique can be used in any coaching conversation of 30+ minutes where......
• What makes a Great Coach Coaching can be a very rewarding. It's the ideal career / activity choice for those who: Like to work with people Have a strong desire to see people excel in their lives Are prepared to let others do the talking Can connect with people and listen with interest and empathy......

• Earn 5-Figure Income Each Month through Internet Affiliate Marketing Program When you go surfing the Internet, you almost certainly have noticed that every website that you visit contains some advertisements and some external links directing to other sites. You will also notice that these advertisements are just good-looking sufficient (for instance, an online advertisement containing heads of Osama bin Laden......
• Michigan Snowboarding Coaches Excited Over New Rules A new change in the rules has snowboarding coaches excited for the 2009 racing season. In previous years, the men's and women's competitions would be counted equally in qualification into the Michigan state championship. Now, each gender will be considered separately when qualifying. This will allow schools whom may have......
• Questions And Answers About Starting An Internet Business Many people do not ever get around to starting an internet business because they are afraid of everything that is involved. Contrary to popular belief it is not that hard to start your own home business on the internet. In this article let's take a look at a few of......
• Open Question: Do You Take Protein Before or After a Workout? Question: Should I take protein before or after a workout and how much? Answer: Before, During and After! The time period that consists of before, during, and after your weight workouts is the single most important time to consume a load of protein; your body is a protein sponge at......
• Acoustic Guitar Learning Mistakes Online If you decide you want to learn to play guitar by taking lessons online, be sure that the lessons being given will be ones you find fun. If you can find lessons that are fun, you will be much more likely to stick with them, and achieving your goals in......

An approach I often use is not to tell them what I ‘do’ but to ask them questions(!) – well there’s nothing like modelling coaching to describe what potential there can be in the relationship.

For example something like below – this is really a picking list of statements that can be used in combination, not a single question!

“What would it be like for you to work with someone who was totally focussed on you; supported, challenged and acknowledged you in everything you did; who never made you wrong; who encouraged your every move; who wanted you to succeed; who listened to you; who pushed you when needed; who accepted your values and beliefs without question; who worked with you on refining your personal goals and vision, etc. etc.”

In this context I ‘bumped into’ a film on TV the other night, “The New Karate Kid” and a quote resonated with me:

Girl: “For once I wish you could give me an answer I could understand”

Mr Miyagi: “Answer only important when asked the right question”

Girl: “That’s exactly what I’m talking about”

My case rests!

• Coaching: Facilitating Learning in others I was recently reading from "Coaching: An International Journal of Theory, Research and Practice" and it confirmed again for me that coaching is (amongst other things), about learning.  It reminded me of "The Knowledge Model" which I learned many years ago, and still use often with groups and individuals to reinforce the blend of learning approaches......
• Why is turning Managers into Coaches so difficult? The above question attracted by attention and I replied as follows:  (references are at the bottom of the post) Experience tells me that it's not appropriate to 'turn managers into coaches' and that it's much more relevant to support managers to have a 'coach approach' - seemingly subtle linguistically and......
• Building a Coaching Culture I often get asked about how to build a coaching culture in an organization. Lots of work is one answer, and it starts with getting clear about what you want to see at the end, (doesn't everything!). The map below is a session design for coaches, or those sponsoring coaching,......
• Coaching as a conversation Again and again I bump into this or that model of coaching, a 3 step, 4 step, 5 step, even an 8 step model.  Whilst I do appreciate that all these have their place, and especially for new coaches, are extremely useful for the purposes of 'navigation,' I worry a......
• Using objects while coaching Using Objects as an aid to a Coaching Conversation   Introduction This article explains how everyday objects such as a pencil, pen, cup, saucer or spoon can be used to great effect in a coaching session.  Applications This technique can be used in any coaching conversation of 30+ minutes where......

• How Often Should You Run? [/caption]Like many questions, the answers you get to "how often you should run" usually vary depending on the person answering them. If you were to ask an exercise junkie who loves running ultramarathons, they might tell you that you should run six days a week. If you listen to a......
• Violin Questions Answered If you are interested in the violin, its history or the basics on how to play it, the following questions and answers will prove to be useful. These are the most basic questions about the violin and how it functions, its history and also how this beautiful and melodic instrument......
• Robot-Dinosaur Fantasy-Football Androids, Yes the Future is Grand Is it me or is Chad Ochocinco an absolute genius who is ten years ahead of his time? The recent fine levied against him from the NFL front office and commissioner Roger Goodell stems from Chad Ochocinco updating his Twitter account during a preseason game. Simply put: WOW. The Miami......
• Exercise Is Bad for You, Says Expert in Video Interview In this ground breaking, earth shattering, myth busting, conventional wisdom destroying video interview I was fortunate enough to sit down with someone that has great insight into the health, fitness, and exercise world as we know it. The following is a video interview I conducted about two weeks ago. The......
• Question Answered: Why Liberals Like Economic Gloom and Doom Rahm Emanuel seems to have answered my question as to why the liberal media tend to promote economic gloom and doom.   In a Sunday interview, when asked about the current economic crisis, the incoming Obama Chief of Staff said: Rule one:  Never allow a crisis to go to waste. They are opportunities to......