Dear ICF Greater Richmond Members and Friends

I hope each of you is enjoying this mild Richmond summer along with some dedicated family and relaxation time.

Research sheds light on coaching tools and challenges

This month I’d like to delve into a January 2009 Harvard Business Review article titled “The Realities of Executive Coaching,” that I referenced a several months ago.

A section of the research asked the 140 respondents which tools are most valuable to them when working with clients.    The percentage indicates those coaches who selected the respective tool as important to extremely important:

• 86%  – interviewing
• 77% – 360-degree feedback collection
• 46% – shadowing
• 46% – peer support groups
• 42% – cultural assessments
• 39% – psychometrics
• 25% – communications evaluation (such as videotaping)
• 3% – intelligence tests

I was struck by the results of this question because it confirms my own experience.  When collecting feedback from my clients, I find the most helpful tool is the open-ended interviews I conduct with their peers, direct reports and managers. I use this in conjunction with 360 tools (e.g. the Leadership Practices Inventory, The Leadership Circle, as well as our own Capital One 360 assessment).  None of these tools provide me the depth of insight I can gain from a 30-minute conversation with the client’s constituents.  I’d be curious to hear about your experience regarding these tools and how you have used them in your practice.

Another interesting outcome from the survey dealt with the way coaches handle an overly dependent client. Over 40% of the respondents said they had faced this situation and responded with these approaches:

• Clarify boundaries and expectations (25 respondents)

• End relationship early (17 respondents)
• Foster client independence and confidence (13 respondents)
• Name it and work through it (12 respondents)
• Avoid dependence (10 respondents)
• Refer or provide other resources (6 respondents)
• Seek supervision (3 respondents)

Again, I’d be interested in a dialog from those of you who have faced this challenge before and how you dealt with the situation.  Email me at denise.kasper@captialone.com, and I’ll include your views in my next column.

Consider two exciting learning opportunities coming in August and September!

On August 14, Plum Cluverius will lead Your Coaching Practice: What’s Next? Plum will use an innovative meeting design called Open Space which combines the energy and spontaneity of a good coffee break with the substantive activity and bottom line results of a more traditional conference.  More information

Also, on September 28, our annual half-day workshop will be held (this replaces our regular membership meeting on Sept 11).  Doug Silsbee, PCC, will lead Presence-Based Coaching from 8:30am to 1:00 pm at the Virginia Tech Richmond Center on Parham Road.  Registration is held to 24 participants so sign up now!  We are very fortunate to have someone of Doug’s caliber – don’t miss this great opportunity to learn from one of the best!  More information .

Pro Bono coaching opportunity to help job seekers

ICFGR is working out the details of an opportunity for coaches to provide pro-bono services to Richmond-area job seekers.  As we all know, the economy has hit our city hard.  The closing of Circuit City, Qimundo and Land America along with numerous layoffs from other businesses has resulted in many Richmonders out of work.  ICFGR will partner with the Job Assistance Ministry (JAM) sponsored by St. Michael’s Catholic Church in Glen Allen.  St. Michael’s started this support group late last fall for any job seeker in the Richmond area  At no cost to job-seekers, JAM offers weekly support lunches, monthly workshops as well as resume review and interview preparation services.  Over 200 job seekers are involved in this group and many of them have found jobs through its networking and support.  Plum Cluverius is ICFGR’s contact with St. Mike’s, and we will announce more next month.  Feel free to contact Plum directly at 261-6483 if you’d like more information now.

I hope you have a leisurelyAugust and can find ways to rejuvenate yourselves as well as spend time with loved ones!

Denise