Week 3 of the Virtual
Group Mentor Coaching Program
“Communicating Effectively”
Focus on ICF Core Competencies 6 and 7
Core Competency 6: Listens Actively
DEFINITION: Focuses on what the client is and is not saying to fully understand what is being communicated in the context of the client systems and to support client self-expression.
Core Competency 7: Evokes Awareness
DEFINITION: Facilitates client insight and learning by using tools and techniques such as powerful questioning, silence, metaphor or analogy.
Required pre-work for Session 3
Before Session 3, could you please reflect on the following questions:
- Think of the best listener you know – what is it they do when you are having a conversation with them?
- What is it that makes a question powerful?
- We all love them when they happen, but what exactly is an ‘aha’ moment?
Optional pre-work for Session 3
Something Extra:
We talked a little about the what v’s who in Session 2 (which we may have in the last session too). As you progress from ACC to PCC (then to MCC), you need to be more attentive to the “who” than you are to “what” the client brings.
The “who” is the client’s beliefs, values, ways of thinking, feeling, processing, etc. This is one of the things that really differentiates ACC from PCC coaching and you will see this reflected within many of the PCC markers, for example:
7.2: Coach asks questions to help the client explore beyond the client’s current thinking or feeling to new or expanded ways of thinking or feeling about themself (the who).
7.3: Coach asks questions to help the client explore beyond the client’s current thinking or feeling to new or expanded ways of thinking or feeling about their situation (the what).
It’s something to be mindful of when you are coaching and something to reflect on when you are listening back to your recordings.
ICF Video Series on Core Competencies
The ICF created a video series and there is a short YouTube video about each Core Competency. Depending on your learning style, you may find these videos useful.
