11 Coaching Approaches to Help People Find and Keep Their Focus
Focusing is not that easy in a world of uncertainty, but that’s exactly what we need to do now. To get focused, we need to harness our energy and create alignment for ourselves. Use one or more of these coaching approaches to help you and others find and keep your focus. If you are looking for more resources, Cylient CEO Dianna Anderson expands more upon this concept in her dialogue, “Supporting People to Find Focus with ‘in the Moment’ Coaching.”
1. Name the Noise: Identify the Fear or Concern
Our fears are unique to each of us. To gain insight into what might be concerning someone, you can ask a question such as, “What is concerning you the most about what you’re trying to get done?” Then listen very carefully to hear the underlying, limiting fear.
2. Fill the Cup: What can they do to find more energy?
Focusing requires energy. Coach people to cultivate more positive energy by engaging in the kinds of work and activities that they enjoy and find motivating, so they can find and keep your focus on your priorities.
3. Reduce the Drain: What is draining the person’s energy?
Help people identify the things that are costing them energy, such as not resolving differences, and coach them to reduce or eliminate those losses to keep a positive energy balance.
4. Set Intentions: Rather than Goals
In a world that is evolving constantly, it’s often more productive to set intentions to accomplish an outcome rather than finite goals. Intentions—especially those that serve a greater good—can motivate and empower people to work together to achieve them.
5. Chuck It: What can people stop doing?
There are probably things people are doing now that aren’t as useful as they were before the pandemic. Coach people to determine what they—and we—can stop doing now to save energy.
6. Chunk It: Can steps and outcomes be broken up into smaller pieces?
Don’t know where to begin? That’s a common problem in a world of newness. Coach people to get moving with questions such as, “What is one thing you can do to get started?” This will help guide what people should focus on.
7. Build Strength: Support People to Build the Skills They Need
When we feel competent, we feel stronger and more resilient. Use new challenges to encourage people to build the kinds of skills they will need to succeed in the emerging world.
8. Create Connections: Who can help with this?
People lose energy when they feel like they are alone. Coach people to reach out, help each other, and work together to address challenges. What if?
9. Planning: What would happen if what you’re concerned about happens?
In many areas of their lives, people are frightened about what’s going to happen. Actually walking through what would someone do if that fear came true can give them a sense of where they have the power to make choices. Start with, “Who can help you with that? What resources are available?”
10. Provide Cover: How can you help people mitigate fear?
Right now, the chance of getting answers 100% right, 100% of the time, is low. Let people know in advance that you don’t expect perfection, but rather, encourage them to learn from their experiences when things don’t turn out as they planned.
11. Share the Pain and the Gain: Talk About What is Going On, Even When There are No Answers
The fear of uncertainty can be very disempowering. Telling people what you do know—and don’t know—can help them feel calmer, even when there are few answers. Same with your successes—sharing when something has made a difference (even if it is a small one!) encourages everyone.
Use Our Untying the Knot® Approach
If you or those around you need the specific skills to take a coaching approach to finding and keeping your focus, contact us to implement our Coaching in the Moment learning experiences in your organization.
