WHAT IS COACHING?

Coaching is a partnership. When working with teens, the idea is that anything explored comes from a place of equal partnership. Coaches do not give advice, or tell a client how to think.

Does the idea of being given the answer sound appealing? We all feel initially that we just want to be given “the answer”. This is natural. It can be hard work to find our own way. When we look at HOW coaching works however, it gives us a better understanding of WHY coaching works.

How does coaching work?

• the client and the coach develop a rapport and establish a relationship in a safe space, this can be in person, or via digital sessions online over an agreed amount of sessions (usually 6, 9 or 12)

• The coach will ask the client what they want to focus on, or what they would like to achieve in the sessions, or what they would like to explore -their hopes, goals, aims, dreams or desires is established to work towards.

• This can also be determined by the parents, and brought into alignment with the child’s own goals.

• The coach will listen actively and in doing so, notice patterns and habits that serve, or do not serve the client.

• The coach will ask incisive questions to help the client to notice these patterns and habits.

• The coach will ask questions to help the client to generate solutions.

• The coach will always ask the client first if they may offer advice or any tips when it is appropriate.

• The coach will hold the client accountable to any solutions generated, and sometimes give homework for the client to work on between sessions.

• The coach will ask the client to reflect on learnings, and will be constantly evaluating during the coaching sessions whether the aim/objectives of the client have been achieved, and where further work needs to be done.

• The coach supports the client and gives them appreciation to help them to develop the confidence to think independently.

Why does coaching work?

• You are more likely to stick to something if you come up with  the solution independently. This is because you are thinking of ideas from your world, that will resonate with you and that make sense to you rather than someone else giving advice from their world, which may be very different to your world, and therefore may not resonate.

• Generating our own ideas gives us confidence - we all have the ability to solve problems on our own, we are just never given that space.  We are so used to being told how to think. Once we have had a taste for our own ability to think and solve problems on our own independent thinking becomes the norm, so important in a world that is increasingly trying to tell us how to think.

• Autonomy is a major developmental milestone for teens - they need to separate from their parents and become independent. Coaching encourages this, and teens in particular don’t like to be told how to think.

• Coaching is forward looking - whilst it may sometimes be necessary in sessions to explore in things that have happened in the past, it is primarily focused on the future. Goals, aims, objectives help to drive positive behaviour and can be motivating.

• Coaching can work well for short term concerns, and can be continued to help teens stick to their goals, or as a space to continue to explore thinking and reflection.

What are the benefits of coaching for teens?

• The process of thinking something through, and coming to a conclusion encourages self reflection and awareness - tools that develop emotional intelligence which is a highly prized skill in today’s work force.

• It gives us the ability to solve problems in the future - coaching helps to develop tools that clients can use forever. Good coaches coach themselves out of jobs - clients should feel confident to make their own decisions and judgement using the skills and tools developed during their coaching journey forever.

• Coaching develops our capacity for internal motivation - clients feel empowered and are therefore able to take on more responsibility.

• This builds confidence.

• Better communication skills are developed.

• The client feels seen and heard. My coaching environment is a no-judgement zone, where the client is recognised and appreciated for who they are.

• Valuable tools, skills and strategies are generated for practical application in everyday situations.