Coach's Guide to Reflective Inquiry: Seven Essential Practices for Breakthrough Coaching

"From a founding member of the coaching movement comes a detailed guide to mastering one of a coach's toughest skills: thoughtfully reflecting clients' words and expressions back to them so they see themselves and their world through new eyes"--
Author Marcia Reynolds, a Master Certified Coach, is former president of the International Coaching Federation. In this guide for professional coaches, business leaders, parents, teachers, and mentors, she explains how to use the framework of reflective inquiry, which is based on listening without judgement, asking questions in order to provoke critical thinking, finding gaps in logic, evaluating beliefs, and clarifying fears and desires that affect decisions. The book includes exercises, key point boxes, brief case studies, tips, and b&w diagrams. Annotation ©2020 Ringgold, Inc., Portland, OR (protoview.com)
From a founding member of the coaching movement comes a detailed guide to mastering one of a coach's toughest skills: thoughtfully reflecting clients' words and expressions back to them so they see themselves and their world through new eyes."Coaches rely far too much on asking open-ended questions," says Marcia Reynolds. But questions only seek answers--inquiry provides insight. When, instead of just questions, clients hear their thoughts, opinions, and beliefs spoken by someone else, it prompts them to critically consider how their thinking affects their goals. Reynolds cites the latest brain science to show why reflective inquiry works and provides techniques, tips, and structures for creating breakthrough conversations. This book will free coaches from the cult of asking the magical question by offering five essential practices of reflective inquiry: focus on the person, not the problem; summarize what is heard and expressed; identify underlying beliefs and assumptions; unwrap the desired outcome; and articulate insights and commitments. Using these practices, combined with a respectful and caring presence, helps create a space where clients feel safe, seen, and valued for who they are. Coaches become change agents who actively recharge the human spirit. And clients naturally dive deeper and develop personalized solutions that may surprise even the coach.