Interview with Keith Webb: How to Become a Coach
I had the opportunity to interview Keith Webb. Keith is a Professional Certified Coach, author, and speaker specializing in leadership development. He founded and leads Creative Results Management, a global training organization focused on equipping ministry leaders to multiply their ministry impact. For 20 years, Keith lived in Japan, Indonesia, and Singapore where he designed and delivered leadership development programs. Keith created The COACH Model®. He is the author of The COACH Model for Christian Leaders and Coaching In Ministry. Keith lives near Seattle and blogs at keithwebb.com.
Could you briefly share your story of how you found your calling as a coach?
I write, speak and coach people on how to solve problems on a larger, systematic scale. I’ve been fascinated by the question: “How do we communicate in such a way that we can actually learn, create new knowledge, solve problems, and get past personal barriers?”
Can you share how you professionally developed as a coach?
What advice would you give to Millennials who aren’t exposed to coaching?
The COACH Model® is a five step model of how to have empowering and effective conversations. The reason why we need a model is because most people are lopsided in conversations. Some of us are all action and little reflection, others are all about ideas but have little focus on action. This model promotes both.
Step 1: Connect with the person. Sounds obvious, but we often jump straight into the work. Also, connecting includes following up previous action steps. I ask, “What progress did you make and what’s your next step?”
Step 2: Outcome of the situation. If I’m coaching you, I want to know what you want as the end result of the conversation. This is so important because my tendency is to tell you what I think you should be thinking about.
Step 3: Awareness. This is about fostering reflective dialogue intended to produce greater perspective for the other person.
Step 4: Course. Ask, “What actions could you take to move forward?” This helps people get into action
Step 5: Highlights. I ask, “What insights do you have now that you didn’t before? What did you find meaningful in our conversation.” This solidifies the learning and puts it in a few bullet point.
What are some pitfalls people experience when coaching?
We are too stuck on our own thoughts and ideas. We’re not being present and listening enough. It’s quite easy to have solutions in our head when we ask questions and listen. We miss out on the opportunity to help them form their own solutions. Because if you think you already know, you’re not curious anymore. Curiosity is a key leadership trait.
So, where we do we go from here? What are some steps to become a better coach?
Training is the key. Going through rigorous practice and feedback is paramount. For instance, you need an instructor to help with you these skills,
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