I had the opportunity to conduct a training session for a client this week on Coaching. They are building a culture of servant leadership and would 6-11-13 training_NEWlike their leaders to be effective coaches for the people within their sphere of influence.

The participants had a few key revelations throughout the training that will really help them, as they become effective coaches. The main discovery was gaining an understanding of the differences between coaching and training.

Training                                               Coaching

  • About the coach                          About the person being coached
  • Telling                                         Asking
  • Advising                                      Drawing out
  • Solving                                        Promoting discovery
  • Directing                                     Supporting
  • Promoting dependency                Promoting self-reliance

When you as a leader are in the “training” mode you are providing information and knowledge. When in a “coaching” mode, you come with the belief that the person being coached has the knowledge and ability within them, and it is your role to promote discovery and bring out the best of the individual.

It is important to understand that there is an appropriate time for both training and coaching. Proper assessment of the right time for each activity will provide true value for the people you are working with.

Training is appropriate when:

  • A person is new in their job or role, and needs information, knowledge, and skills to do their job
  • A new, unfamiliar system or process has been introduced into the company or their department

Coaching is appropriate when:

  • You have a willing participant who has goals that they want to achieve
  • Self-development and self-reliance for the person being coached is the goal

Proper understanding of the situation, and application of either coaching or training will illustrate your connection to your people, and will allow you to add value to them and help them to achieve their God-given potential.

Servant leaders step into the necessary roles to advance the ability and skills of the people that they serve.

Mark Deterding

The student is not above the teacher, but everyone who is fully trained will be like their teacher.  Luke 6:40

Mark Deterding believes in being a humble servant leader who is absolutely persistent on driving improvement. He insures clarity of purpose and vision and then creates an environment that will allow for that vision to be effectively carried out. He empowers and develops people to allow them to succeed. For more information about Mark and his programs visit:  https://triuneleadershipservices.com