Worksheet

Coaching competencies self-assessment

These coaching competencies are taken from the Association for Coaching: Coaching Competencies Framework for training coaches.

Use this worksheet to assess you level of confidence with each competency and you can then review it towards the end of the course and see how you have progressed.

Untangle Roots

Coaching competencies self-assessment

Please answer 'yes' only when you are 100% confident and otherwise answer 'no' if you are not

1. Meeting ethical, legal and professional guidelines

a) Follows the AC’s professional standards and codes of conduct, including the Global Code of Ethics for Coaches & Mentors

b) Acts ethically and with the highest integrity

c) Promotes the coaching profession in a positive light to all stakeholders

d) Complies with the prevailing laws of the country in which the coaching takes place and/or client organisation is operating, whichever is the most applicable and stringent

e) Clearly communicates how coaching is different from other helping professions

f) Is aware of professional boundaries and refers on to another professional as appropriate

2. Establishing the coaching agreement and outcomes

a) Clearly explains the coaching process and own coaching approach, models and techniques

b) Helps the client establish coaching goals and outcomes and agrees an approach to working with the client that will achieve them

c) Agrees a formal coaching agreement with client and all stakeholders, including clear and measurable outcomes, plus confidentiality, logistics of coaching sessions (duration, frequency, location), purpose, contingencies, monitoring and reporting on progress, and commercial arrangements

d) Establishes clear roles, responsibilities and boundaries between the different stakeholders, including coach and client

3. Establishing a trust-based relationship with the client

a) Treats people equally and fairly, with respect and dignity

b) Is optimistic for and encourages self-belief in the client

c) Establishes a high level of rapport to build an open dialogue with the client

d) Accepts the client ‘as is’ and believes in the client’s potential and capability

e) Acts openly and honestly, including tackling difficult conversations with the client, using self and personal reactions to offer client feedback, avoiding colluding with the client on issues that block progress

f) Maintains agreed levels of confidentiality

4. Managing self and maintaining coaching presence

a) Pays close attention to the client, staying fully present and engaged

b) Remains focused on the agreed client agenda and outcomes

c) Acts flexibly whilst staying aligned to own coaching approach

d) Stays aligned to personal values whilst respecting the values of the client

e) Works to ensure interventions get the best outcome for the client

5. Communicating effectively

a) Demonstrates effective listening and clarifying skills and differentiates between what is said and what’s left unsaid

b) Uses straightforward, easy-to-understand language that moves the client towards the agreed outcomes

c) Adapts communication style to reflect the client’s needs and outcomes

d) Provides relevant information and feedback to serve the client’s learning and goals

e) Communicates clearly, confidently and credibly with the client

6. Raising awareness and insight

a) Asks questions to challenge client’s assumptions, elicit new insights, raise self-awareness and gain learning

b) Helps broaden a client’s perception of an issue and challenges to stimulate new possibilities

c) Supports the client to generate options to achieve agreed outcomes

d) Provides observational feedback where relevant, leaving client free to choose to act upon it or not

e) Uses ‘self’ as a resource for the development of the client’s self-awareness and learning by offering ‘here and now’ feedback

7. Designing strategies and actions

a) Supports the client to build strategies to meet their outcomes

b) Inspires the client to identify and implement self-directed learning opportunities

c) Leaves accountability with the client while following through on own actions and commitments

d) Encourages the client to seek support from others to help achieve the client outcomes

e) Provides support while the client tries out new ways of working/behaviours

8. Maintaining forward momentum and evaluation

a) Maintains an outcome-focused approach

b) Asks powerful questions that move the client forwards towards the agreed outcome

c) Checks and acknowledges client progress and achievements

d) Explores what is working, what is getting in the way and challenges lack of progress

e) Discourages dependency on the coach and develops the client’s ability to self-coach

f) Checks the client’s motivation to apply learning from the coaching

g) Measures effectiveness of coaching

9. Undertaking continuous coach development

a) Regularly requests client feedback

b) Actively reflects on coaching practice and outcomes

c) Acts on own critical reflections and client feedback to improve coaching practice

d) Participates in regular coaching supervision to reflect on, and improve, practice

e) Participates in continuous professional development (CPD) activities

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