Leaders are often very adept at directing a conversation, though they can usually benefit from more practice with bottom lining and interrupting. They can also miss out completely on an important component of direct communication – messaging. Messaging is a powerful way of tapping into someone’s greatness and helping them see it. It’s stepping away [...]
In our coach training program we talk about four different techniques for direct communication: interrupting, advising, directing and messaging. Today let’s focus on interrupting, which I refer to as an art. Most of us are masters at interrupting inappropriately, or in ways that are not helpful. I’m sure you’ve experienced being interrupted by others in [...]
Direct communication is a key competency of the coaching process, and it’s a skill that’s crucial for any pastor or ministry leader. A big part of direct communication is the ability to “bottom line.” When you take a concept down to its bottom line, you eliminate any storytelling, people pleasing or fear, and just name [...]
Coaches and ministry leaders share the honored role of “goal-tending” for the people they work with. Yet many have expressed concerns to me about how to keep people accountable for making the changes needed to achieve their goals. Accountability has three phases. First is brainstorming, when a person or group of people open [...]
As a minister or leader committed to helping people create lasting change, you may wonder what it takes to keep people accountable. I suggest a three-phase approach, with the first step being to brainstorm from a fresh perspective on the problem, issue or situation. Once you’ve finished brainstorming with the person or group, [...]
A recurring theme from people in coach training sessions is around action and accountability. It’s easy for them to see people having “ah-hah” moments as a result of coaching but they wonder, “Does change really happen?” and, “What can I do as a coach or leader to keep people accountable?” Maybe you’ve wondered the same [...]
This month I’m reflecting on an article by Bill Wilson that was featured in the Fall edition of in Ministry from the Palmer Theological Seminary. “14 Pieces of Advice for New Ministers” originally appeared online at ethics.com, and I’m honing in on five points in particular. Last week, I discussed point #6 about finding an [...]
As a coach, powerful questioning will be one of the most important tools in your kit. But when’s the last time YOU experienced a powerful question? If you’re like me, you might get caught up in the doing of life, and giving to others, and forget to ask yourself the same powerful questions you’re asking [...]
At a recent coach training in the UK, the participants were thrilled to discover Appendix B, A Year of Questions, in the book Change Your Questions, Change Your Church. They had wondered how they were going to be able to think of powerful questions during their coaching sessions, and appreciated having this resource to refer [...]
Join Val Hastings (Coaching4Clergy), along with radio talk show host Scott Cluthe and Sandy Villas (of Coach University) as they discuss the recent rise in coaching and coach training among today’s spiritual leaders. During this interview Val will share his unique insights into the impact that coaching is having on today’s pastors and churches.
