The Versatile Coach
Let’s run a quick experiment.
First, think about this question: what one thing, more than anything else, do you think great coaches do?
Next, consider this question: what is the opposite of that?
Take a moment to reflect on what you came up with.
More often than not, people land on an either/or answer, such as the opposite of active listening is talking, often with a negative charge attached.
Perhaps there is a more nuanced and balanced approach, think yin and yang. Consider the complementary opposite… The other good thing to do.
Allowing silence and asking the question, supporting autonomy and offering what you see, managing the focus and following what emerges. These are some of the tensions and tradeoffs that make coaching a balancing act.
As coaches, we often hold an idealized version of what great coaches do, and as a result, we may overemphasize certain behaviors or underemphasize others.
The versatile coach can read and respond to the situation with a wide repertoire of behaviors and skills, unlimited by bias in favor of one and prejudice against the other.
The way you think about coaching may be the key to being even more effective.
We need to ask ourselves, where am I overdoing a certain coaching behavior, and where might I be doing too little?
The answer to "too much" and "too little" depends on the situation, which is always in flux. We have to be situationally aware in the present moment so we can respond more appropriately and with more range.
Play around with this idea and see where you might become more versatile in your coaching practice.
Summer fun is here, so please join us at one of our social events this month. In Central Iowa, we’ll be at the Revel Hotel in
Urbandale on July 14, 5 – 7 PM, and for Eastern Iowa, we’ll be at Big Grove Brewery in
Iowa City on July 23, 5 – 7 PM.
Stay versatile,
Chris King
2026 President, ICF Iowa Chapter
References:
Kaplan, R. E., & Kaiser, R. B. (2006).
The versatile leader: Make the most of your strengths without overdoing it. Pfeiffer.