Conflict coaching is not therapy; it is not like talking with a friend and receiving advice that you may not need or want. Coaching is intensive; it's targeted; and it's focused. The method will unlock your thinking on key issues, interests, and goals and help develop new, more effective, strategies.
Conflict coaching sessions are:
Short. After a longer initial session to establish a working relationship, a typical conversation lasts 30 to 45 minutes. This isn't a friendly chat; it is an intensive discussion of key issues. The fast pace ensures that no time is wasted in achieving organization-wide or individual goals.
Focused. Coaches are accomplished in posing meaningful questions that are focused on the future and are designed to gather speed and expand your exploration, definition of challenges, options, discovery, and choices for actions.
One-on-one. These sessions focus on your thinking and are geared towards establishing or strengthening productive habits, clarifying purpose, goals, and actions, and exploring strategies and options for continued improvement.
Convenient. Coaching is scheduled at the convenience of both coach and client. The day and time of the next session is confirmed at the close of each conversation. An ongoing commitment to the coaching process is usually recommended. This could last for several weeks, months, or even years. Whatever the time frame, coaching is intended to be a continuous process oriented toward change. The coach must be flexible and accommodate a client's regular work schedule. This is why phone sessions are so effective.
Confidential. Discussions between coach and client are absolutely confidential. There is no exception. This is key to the integrity and value of the process. Without discretion, there can be no trust - an indispensable ingredient in the coaching relationship.
Productive. For those who are ready for change, coaching is a relief. Most people find sessions to be reassuring, energizing, and even fun. Most importantly, though, they are productive. Follow-up coaching helps people become more responsive to themselves, ensuring that they stay consistent, resolved, and focused on what is most important to them.
Conflict coaching is a customized, intensive process that is designed to deliver results. Most importantly, it helps you develop a voice that will enable you to resolve conflict effectively and efficiently, now and in the future.
Contributed by John Curtis, Attorney and Conflict Coach
