When I first became a trained business coach I learned about the basic principles of coaching and the importance of asking powerful questions to bring out clarity of vision and action steps. I learned an enormous amount about developing strong listening skills, to listen to what was being said, and to listen for what was not being said. I learned how to ask questions and develop a flow of conversation that would lead to some sort of break through, new learning, or “ah-ha” moment.
Coaching starts with asking powerful questions. Questions that get to the “what” and “how,” and not letting the “but why” questions be answered with excuses that really don’t address the issue behind the issue. Powerful questions are key to the coaching relationship. Openness, honesty, trust, and accountability are all factors in effective coaching.
As I began doing more and more coaching in ministry I learned there was one powerful question that was the granddaddy of them all. It didn’t have to do with faith, or calling, or what vision God had placed on my client’s heart. It was much more simple, and yet so profound.
The most powerful question in coaching ministry leaders is this: Are you coach-able?
What does it mean to be coach-able?
There are many factors involved in answering this question but I believe there are three base line things that must be present in order for a person to be considered coach-able.
#1 – Willingness to communicate and be open to the process and let the process go where it needs to go to achieve results. Coaching is not counseling, consulting, or teaching. It’s a journey designed to move you from here to there.
#2 – Willingness to be held accountable, from the smallest, simplest things, to the really big tasks. A large part of that accountability is taking action, and understanding that taking action or movement on an idea trumps everything else.
#3 – Willingness to understand that God isn’t finished with you yet and there are always new learnings, new ways of looking at things, and new ways of doing things that will bring about continuous improvement and transformation in who you are.
I look for these three things to seek and understand if a person is going to be coach-able. This is an important and critical aspect of the process. if you’re not coach-able, you’re likely not going to take action or achieve the results you are seeking. And likely not benefit from the time invested in the coaching relationship.
Coaching has become a very popular tool for many people, but unless you are coach-able you may not benefit from the process. Consider this as you think about entering a coaching relationship and ask yourself this powerful question: Are you coach-able?