Ep16: Beyond Advice- Activating Your Ethical Presence in Coaching Conversations (Mastery in Coaching)

The episode introduces the powerful framework developed by Coach Jedi called the 3A Ethical Presence Model: Aware, Assess, and Act.

Learn to be aware of your own beliefs, generational attitudes, and personal triggers that might influence your coaching. For instance, recognizing if a client's request, such as "teach me how to become a better person," falls beyond the scope of coaching, or if a sensitive topic like retrenchment or miscarriage triggers your own personal experiences. This self-awareness is vital to ensure your passion for a topic doesn't override the client's present needs.

A central focus is navigating the common ethical dilemma of a client asking for advice. While some coaches might take a "hard approach" and immediately refuse, this episode explores a more nuanced strategy. We learn the importance of clarifying what the client truly wants when they ask for advice, exploring their "ends" or desired outcomes rather than just getting stuck on the "means" they initially request. The goal is to help clients connect their own dots and gain genuine clarity, not to feed them immediate answers.

The discussion extends to how a coach can offer observations, thoughts, or perspectives to evoke awareness without giving direct advice, which carries the connotation that the client "have to listen to my advice". This is possible, especially after the midway point of a session, by inviting the client to consider new ideas or possibilities "very lightly".

It's crucial to avoid imposing your viewpoints or concluding for the client with phrases like "So..." or "Therefore...". The source also clarifies that offering additional resources or book recommendations towards the end of a session (aligned with Competency 8) is distinct from giving advice, as long as it's presented for consideration.

We also touch upon the significance of the coaching agreement. Even if explained at the start, clients may forget, making it essential for coaches to reconfirm roles and expectations if a mismatch arises. The ultimate aim is to honor the client's experience, help them define the problem, evoke awareness, and empower them to design their own actions.

This requires discipline from both coach and client to remain within the core intent of coaching. As the discussion emphasizes, helping a "fellow human being in whatever way you can" is important, but it must cycle back to the core intent of coaching.