The Big Idea
Good advocacy principles can be the difference between ignored suggestions and success. Make sure the coachee knows you understand the problem and the thinking behind your suggestion. Effective coaches offer their ideas/advice so that the person receiving the advocacy can hear it, respond to it, and consider the value. Knowing how much to inquire vs. disclose is a balance. When it’s right, it deepens the individual’s confidence and ability to take committed action.
Advocacy Steps
Step 1) Acknowledge the individual’s situation. How well did you show the coachee you understood their personal situation? This is important to build trust
- Make sure the coachee trusts that you understand their personal situation. Say something like, “I understand that your new assignment is very demanding.”
- To build trust further, you could add something like “Having been a team leader, I know the pressure to produce quick results can be enormous.”
Step 2) State your advocacy. When you stated your suggested action, were you specific and clear?
- Say something like, “Based on your description of the problem, I encourage you to delegate this issue to a few team members. Let me explain my reasoning.”
Step 3) Make explicit the thoughts behind your advocacy/share your experience. Were you thorough in your explanation? Did you share any personal experience?
- When you make a suggestion, share your reasoning. Use personal experience as supporting evidence. For example: “I know from my work that if you move ahead alone it could generate resentment and keep you involved at an unnecessary level of detail.”
Step 4) Encourage Inquiry and alternative points of view. How well did your coachee continue to search for their own solutions?
- Finally, help the coachee continue to think about the problem and find their own solutions through inquiry and alternate points of view. To do this, ask questions like, “What questions or concerns do you have about my suggestion? Perhaps you have a different point of view or proposed action?”
Hopefully you can take some meaningful time to pause and reflect on these questions. Identify how you can improve next time and try it this week.
