Skill: Coaching Techniques

GROW model, active listening, developmental feedback, and team growth approaches.

Metadata

Overview

Coaching develops people's capability rather than directing their actions. Effective coaching unlocks potential, builds ownership, and creates sustainable performance improvement.

Coaching vs. Other Approaches

The Core Principle

Ask, don't tell. The coachee holds the answers; your job is to help them find those answers.

Module 1: The GROW Model

Framework Overview

Goal Phase Questions

• "What would you like to focus on today?"
• "What outcome do you want from this conversation?"
• "How will you know you've achieved it?"
• "Why is this important to you now?"
• "What would success look like?"

Reality Phase Questions

• "What's happening currently?"
• "What have you tried so far?"
• "What's working? What isn't?"
• "What obstacles are in the way?"
• "On a scale of 1-10, where are you now?"
• "What resources do you already have?"

Options Phase Questions

• "What options do you see?"
• "What else could you do?"
• "If you had unlimited resources, what would you try?"
• "What would you advise a friend in this situation?"
• "What's the opposite approach?"
• "Which options appeal to you most?"

Will Phase Questions

• "Which option will you pursue?"
• "When will you do this?"
• "What's your first step?"
• "What support do you need?"
• "How will you hold yourself accountable?"
• "On a scale of 1-10, how committed are you?"

Module 2: Active Listening

The Three Levels of Listening

Active Listening Techniques

Non-Verbal Awareness

Listening Blockers

Module 3: Powerful Questions

Question Characteristics

Question Types

Questions to Avoid

Module 4: Feedback for Development

The SBI Model

Feedforward (Marshall Goldsmith)

Instead of critiquing the past, suggest for the future:

1. Pick one behavior to improve
2. Ask for suggestions (not feedback)
3. Listen without defending
4. Thank without evaluating

Example: "I want to be better at running inclusive meetings. What one suggestion do you have?"

Receiving Feedback

Praise Effectively

Module 5: Coaching Difficult Moments

When Coachee is Stuck

Resistance Patterns

When Coaching Isn't Appropriate

Module 6: Coaching Cadence

Regular Coaching Rhythms

1:1 Structure

Documentation

Track coaching conversations:

• Date and duration
• Topics discussed
• Key insights
• Commitments made
• Follow-up items

Quick Reference

GROW Cheat Sheet

G: What do you want?
R: Where are you now?
O: What could you do?
W: What will you do?

Coaching Checklist

• Created safe space
• More listening than talking (80/20)
• Asked open questions
• Avoided giving advice
• Explored options together
• Coachee owns the answer
• Clear commitment made
• Follow-up scheduled

Phrases That Work

Red Flags in Coaching

Activation Patterns

Skill created: 2026-02-10 | Category: Leadership | Status: Active

Synapses

• [.github/skills/frustration-recognition/SKILL.md] (High, Enables, Bidirectional) - "Recognize coachee emotional state"
• [.github/instructions/alex-core.instructions.md] (Medium, Applies, Forward) - "Meta-cognitive awareness in coaching"
• [.github/skills/executive-storytelling/SKILL.md] (Medium, Complements, Bidirectional) - "Leadership communication skills"