Cathy Liska The previous post, three of four, covered providing perspective in coaching sessions. Using the approach of giving several examples, this post is an example for coaching because it is providing perspective in a look at the third question posed in the first post.
Question 3: How does who creates the plan influence follow-through?
Consider this story: a couple divorced. Five years after the divorce they were still fighting and had three court cases pending. (Does this sound familiar?) The counselor for one of them suggested mediation. The couple scheduled mediation and arrived barely speaking to one another. For two hours they talked about what they wanted, and they developed a plan. The couple dropped all three court cases. A year later, the counselor shared that the couple continued to communicate effectively and their plan was working. Interesting point: the plan was essentially the same plan the judge had given them five years earlier that they fought over. What changed? It became their plan.
How many times have you heard someone complain that their boss is a micro-manager? The number one reason people leave a job is because of their boss. The highest cost problem for workers compensation complaints is stress related to a lack of control at work. The best way to increase job satisfaction is to increase level of input.
A group of volunteers for a nonprofit were asked to collaborate and develop a program. The group divided the various sections of the program and assigned individual tasks. A few of the volunteers then compiled the efforts of everyone into one program. One of the volunteers was not at the original meeting and created their own version of the program from start to finish. This volunteer did not want to use the information developed by the others in the group. The volunteers that met the first time were happy to use the program created built on the plan developed by the group.
What do you think the difference is between being told how to and choosing how to?
What do you think is an effective approach for a coach?
