Helping people change

Abstract

The purpose of coaching is to help people change, but real change is difficult for most adults. Of the two approaches to coaching – directive and nondirective – the latter is more effective in helping people change, and it is what most coachees prefer. In nondirective coaching, coaches primarily ask questions, listen, and act as thought partners. To guide people through change, coaches need to ask questions that raise coachees’ awareness of the need for change, build a sense of urgency, get coachees to make the decision to change, problem solve around what change will mean, and then get coachees to commit to action. Finally, coaches must reinforce the change to help make it permanent.