The 4 W’s: Coaching Change Leaders in Your Organization
This is a series of questions (you might
actually ask them, or just use them as
a thought process to guide you through
a discussion) that can be used in any situation where you are coaching an indidividual - helping them improve, without taking ownership of the issue. It is especially helpful when you don't know a lot about the person's area of accountability.
If the performance of a leader of a change effort in your organization is in question, you can use the 4 W's process to coach that leader to better performance.
Contact us at info@helpingchange.com for more information.
Question
|
Outcome
|
Your Role
|
Move to the Next
Question When:
|
What’s up?
|
The person fully understands the
situation, and has had a chance to ‘clear’ themselves
emotionally |
- Listen for understanding.
- Listen and reflect feelings
(“sounds like you’re
not only angry at them, but at”)
- Summarize and paraphrase what
you see as the situation.
- But above all, listen – and
don’t give advice!
|
The person is ‘un-flooded’ emotionally,
and can think rationally about the
situation |
What are your options?
|
Person sees a number of ways to
move forward, but hasn’t decided
on a course of action as yet |
- Listen to the alternatives
they have tried, or might try.
- If they get emotional again, ‘recycle’ into
reflecting feelings until they
are less emotional.
|
The person has considered a number
of options. |
Want to know what
I think?
( or, Want my advice?)
|
The person has listened to and
accepted your advice, thoughts, concerns |
- Offer advice on the situation,
or reflections on what’s
holding them back, or thoughts
on how you might help.
- Do not offer to solve the
problem, or take care of them.
- If they get emotional, re-cycle
into reflecting feelings until
they can continue.
|
You believe your advice has been
heard and will be considered |
What are you going to do next?
|
The person has decided on a course
of action |
- Make sure they leave with
some next steps that will be
helpful.
- Commit to any help you can
provide
|
Success is defined as the person
leaving with a plan, and you not
feeling like you’ve taken the
burden. |
|
