The guide needs also to be familiar with the many different kinds of journey people may make and the common setbacks likely to be encountered while on the road. The key skills of coaching include listening skills, effective questioning, building and maintaining rapport, reframing, reading non verbal behaviour, goal setting, establishing commitment and others, which at Coaching Solutions we incorporate along with the four steps into our Pro-Act coaching model. A good coach must believe unequivocally in the potential of the individual and operate on the assumption that the person receiving the coaching is the real expert about themselves and their work. As important as the procedures and skills of coaching is an attitude of mind. Every person has resources for improving performance.
Useful questions are worth more than commands.
Each person is responsible for their own contribution to the company. Every setback represents a learning opportunity. Experiments precede learning. Completing the four steps, specifying a goal to which the coachee is fully committed out of personal choice not obligation and working through anticipated obstacle up-front is most likely to lead to success. Also on a journey circumstances and destination can change and the on-going support of a coach is often valuable to help integrate the new information and modify strategy and goals.