Mar 30
Dr Marcia Reynolds, “Coach the Person, not the problem”
A reflective inquiry journey, covered in “Coach the Person, not the problem”. When I was introduced this book somewhere in Jan 2022, it sounded like a clickbait title. I do not know about Dr Marcia Reynolds and haven’t heard about her . This book recommendation went into the backlog of book “to be read”. it was not until March 2022, I got the urge to pick up this book and understand what’s conveyed.
oh!. There was a thought that Wish I had read this before when I started reading it.. But slowly it turned out to be “It’s good that I did not read this book earlier”. The fundamental change of my mindset is due to the single fact that 1) My Coaching Course had completed (full 60 hrs). When I started reading this book, after the course completion, it was like a full revision of what was learnt. The learnings during the coaching course was imbibed more strongly in me, through this book. Page by page, I could relate to “that” specific topic during the coaching course.
The book is divided into 3 major sections
- What is a coaching conversation
- Five essential practices
- Three mental habits
Coaching Conversation : “ The Client always knows more than you do about what to do next”.
This busts the first notion of a coach, if he/she still has this “I am the person who is helping the Coachee/Client to resolve the problems”. While the details of what type of coaching, supporting vs challenging clients are explained in detail, I liked the “Case study” being used to drive home many of the points. Simple. Effective.
Five Essential Practices :
Focus
Active replay
Brain Hacking
Goaltending
New and Next.
I will not be justifying If I try to explain each of these practices. Best is to read the book to get the essence.
Three Mental Habits: These habits are more practical than ever. I am not sure how else this can be simplified. Dr Marcia has taken lot of time and effort to get this into very simple habits. And for each of the habit, has explained the steps to the final details of what you should feel and how. “You” just have to practice it. If you want to know how to practice, my recommendation is to read the “Atomic Habits” book. You can click this link to read the summary.
- Align your Brain: Even in regular times, this helps to calm down, be a great observant of your own surroundings. As I write this, tried the method and is has calmed down my thoughts.
- Receive : (Don’t just listen) — The method of RASA. Receive, Appreciate, Summarize and Ask. In general terms, to make someone listen, we say “ That’s why God has given two ears and one mouth!” Doesn’t say that you have to just keep hearing things coming out of Client. It says that receive the client words (and energy), pause, reflect and can ask clarifying questions. Again, there are specific exercises to practice.
- Catch and Release Judgement :Beyond the face value. There are moments in coaching — Nervous Laughter, eye contact, tears, quick agreement, hesitation, defensive.. these are notable features to catch.
Take time. Take really time to read and absorb this book. We can reference this book any time, many times during the Coaching Journey.
Thank you.
Feel free to visit other thoughts / summary of book in my medium page. Like, forward, comment for more reach.
