This ½ day will be based upon using a “solutions-focused” methodology, developed originally from systemic family therapy, proven to be a very effective approach in coaching and mentoring conversations.

The programme will be highly participative and there will be several opportunities to practise and further develop skills.

Objectives:

  • Creating and developing the effective coaching and mentoring conversations
    • How do they differ from other styles of conversation?
    • What is the difference between “coaching” and “mentoring”?
    • Understanding the skills of effective contracting – starting well
    • Reflection on five key skills: questions, listening, reflecting and summarising, silence and offering advice.
    • Creating an effective rhythm in the conversation.
    • Better use of language – a solutions-focused approach.
    • Some coaching tools to structure your conversation with – “scaling” and the HOPES model
    • Structuring a mentoring conversation – the difference?
  • A number of opportunities to practise and try some new things
  • Spotting danger signs of deeper issues
  • Identifying what to take back and use in your own practice and what next

 

Outline Agenda:

13:00 Prompt start

  • Introductions
    • Setting the context; positioning of the session by a member of
  • Building a model of effective mentoring
    • What makes an effective “mentor?”
    • A coaching and mentoring exercise to reflect on
    • People who have supported us
    • A definition of coaching and mentoring?
    • So, what’s the difference?
  • Coaching and mentoring – a demonstration
    • What did we notice about that conversation?
    • Tools, skills and values that underpin the supportive conversation
  • The Rhythm of Effective Supporting Conversations
    • The three basic steps in the ‘dance’
    • Creating a balance
    • Keeping the ‘client’ in mind
    • “Time to think”
  • Questions and the Role of Language
    • Problem v progress
    • Creating progress
  • A Strengths and Resource Based Approach
    • Listening with an appreciative ear
    • Scaling – a tool for the mentoring conversation?
    • HOPES – a way of structuring the conversation
  • Practise Session
    • Coaching / mentoring triads
    • Chance to review practise
  • End 16:00 prompt

Your Tutor:

Jeff Matthews has over 30 years’ experience as a coach, the last 25 in his own independent consultancy, following a successful career to Director level, in business. He is accredited with the Association of Professional Executive Coaches and Supervisors and as a coach supervisor with EMCC with whom he just been nominated for a global award as ‘Coach Supervisor of the Year’. His model of practise is heavily influenced by a Solutions Focused approach, having trained as psychotherapist in Transactional Analysis. He has both personal and group supervision practices and is currently supporting NHS national coach network, with supervision and CPD throughout the Midlands and East area.

He has been running programmes of this type with AKESO for more than 8 years. Feedback has been consistently very high in praise for the practicality and efficacy of the workshops.