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Hello Everyone, Welcome to our presentation. Today, we are
going to give an overview of Listening as described in the book ÒCo-Active CoachingÓ
by Laura Whitworth, Karen Kimsey-House, Henry Kimsey-House and Phillip Sandahl .
In coaching, the agenda and all of the information from outside the coaching session comes from
the client. Thus, listening is how the coach learns about the clientÕs agendas, the clientÕs
actions and the resulting consequences of such actions as perceived by the client.
Listening can be defined in three levels, Level 1, Level 2 and Level 3. The coachÕs
ability to listen on many different levels is one determining factor in his/her effectiveness
as a coach.
Level 1 listening is when the listener is focused on the words that are said and how
those words impact themselves. Level 1 listening is important because it is how we figure out
what is going on around us so we can function appropriately in the world. It also helps
us process, think about and understand the world round us. The client should maintain
level 1 listening during the entire coaching session.
Level 2 listening is where the listener focuses on both the speakerÕs external signals as
well as their words. Such external signals might include body language, language choice,
visual emotions, etc. The listener then uses all of the listening input to analyze its
effect on the speaker and interpret the speakerÕs true message.
In level 3 listening, the listener goes beyond the words and external signals to observe
the speakerÕs internal signals as well. They look at things like energy level, focus, engagement,
and hidden communications. Level 3 listening requires that the listener have at least some
prior knowledge about the speaker. Again, the listener uses all of the available information
to interpret the speakerÕs full message and analyze the messagesÕ effect on the speaker.
Coaches should aim to maintain level II and level III listening throughout their entire
coaching session. As part of the listening the process, the
coach needs to confirm the message and get clients to further elaborate on their messages
in a productive way. There are five listening skills that help coaches with these tasks.
1. Articulating is where the coach succinctly paraphrases what the coach thinks the client
said given all of the background information and overt and hidden communications. The client
then confirms, adapts or denies the coaches statements.
2. Clarifying is where the coach draws conclusions from vague information and then confirms these
conclusions with the client.
3. Meta View is where the coach looks at the big picture and places the clientÕs statements
in context. Metaphorically, this is like looking at the clientÕs situation from 5,000 feet
in the air.
4. Metaphor is where the coach draws on imagery and experience to help the client understand
faster and easier.
5. Acknowledging is providing validation for the clientÕs own opinions and actions. Praise
is one form of acknowledgement.
For more information on these five skills or the three levels of listening, please refer
to chapter 3 of the Co-Active Coaching book Thanks for viewing our presentation. If you
have enjoyed this presentation, please look for the other coaching certification presentations
on our website. Good luck with your business coaching certification.