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The Coaching News (March 16, 2005)
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Solving problems isn't always easy, but the process most of us use is straightforward and at its core quite simple. Based on the reductionist, or rational, approach of French philosopher René Descartes, we rely heavily on evidence, logic and reason. It's a scientific approach emphasizing a certain number of steps, typically including gathering data, analyzing information, proposing and testing hypotheses, and generating conclusions based on the results. It's the approach that is commonly taught in basic communication skills training and is typically included in manuals about mentoring and peer support. But consultants Gerald Nadler and William Chandon in their new book, Smart Questions: Learn to Ask the Right Questions for Powerful Results, say it's the wrong approach. They believe that the rational approach is not followed by leading problem solvers. "Our research," the authors warn, "indicates that the majority of the population - around 92 percent of the people - go about problem solving using ineffective and unproductive techniques and thinking." The result is often excessive, if not pointless data collection, and analysis paralysis. Because we're taught not to reinvent the wheel, we ignore the uniqueness of our situation and often transfer, adapt or graft a solution from another problem. The solutions tend to be static, only patching up the situation for a short period of time. "The reductionist method has created as many problems as it has solved - maybe more," the authors argue. Their smart questions approach is based on the holistic thinking of the experts they studied. It focuses on creating solutions, not solving problems - a seemingly slight twist that can have profound results. It recognizes that all information is soft and treats each problem as unique. It seeks out a broad context in which to understand the problem, rather than viewing the problem narrowly. At the heart is the asking of questions rather than the gathering of data. "Smart questioning forces you to seek the truth behind the relevant background assumptions that you automatically take into a situation," according to Nadler and Chandon. The approach requires learning a new vocabulary and a method of intervention that transcends the traditional step-by-step methods. Some of the key elements include:
The book offers many powerful examples of the approach, in which organizations realize the original problem wasn't the real issue and come up with far more effective, transformative solutions. But the method is not easy to apply, because it differs so dramatically from our normal style. While the book is not easy reading, it is illuminating. Nadler, G. and Chandon, W. (2004). Smart Questions: Learn to Ask the Right Questions for Powerful Results. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass. This book can be ordered directly from the publisher or from Amazon.com or Amazon.ca. Note: Purchase of books or other resources through links in the Peer Bulletin that connect with Amazon.ca or Amazon.com yield commissions to Peer Resources. All commissions are donated to a local charity for homeless youth. (This article is modified and reprinted here with the permission of the author, Harvey Schachter, from his book review, "Old solutions won't help crack new problems," published in the August 18, 2004 issue of the Globe and Mail newspaper.) "The easiest challenges are the ones you dream up for yourself (the mountains you decide to climb). The tough ones (the really lousy ones) are the ones you don't get to choose (the mountains that other people put in your way)." ~ Lee Iacocca ~ THREE SPECIAL OFFERS FOR THE COACHING NEWS SUBSCRIBERS Free Certified Dream Coach Training, August 1-7, 2005 with America's Dream Coach, Marcia Wieder. This world-renowned coach and speaker has again agreed to provide a complete scholarship for tuition in her upcoming Certified Dream Coach Training. This training will take place in Tiburon, California (near San Francisco) August 1-7, 2005. Normally the cost is $2950.00 (US) for seven full days of training, all training materials, and six months of post-training consultation with Marcia. The workshop is limited to only 30 persons. This program will provide you with the necessary skills to coach anyone on achieving any dream, show you how to create a profitable speaking and coaching business with proven ideas to jump start or advance your career, provide a step-by-step process for connecting you to your life's purpose and passion, teach you how to create new dreams and make major life changes, reveal how we sabotage dreams and show you how to remove any obstacles (including time and money issues), offer a simple and potent strategic planning and coaching process, with accountability for success, and show you how to use these processes with your coaching clients. All graduates of this program will become a Certified Dream Coach® with all the necessary tools and skills. In addition all graduates who qualify for the "Lead Generation" program will be linked to Marcia's website. Because of Marcia's busy speaking schedule, she no longer offers one-on-one coaching; instead, coaching inquiries will be referred to qualified Certified Dream Coaches™. Peer Resources will hold a random draw from all eligible names on June 30, 2005. Last year, PRN member Cindy Maki (maki@confederationc.on.ca) won this draw and found it to be one of the best trainings and experiences she has ever had. Travel, accommodation, or other expenses are not included in the draw. Winning the draw will provide a free space in the session, all materials, and post-session support. This offer cannot be exchanged for cash value, however, the winner may transfer the ticket to another person. Only members of the Peer Resources Network are eligible for the draw. Any Coaching News reader is eligible for the draw by becoming a member of the Peer Resources Network prior to June 30, 2005, when the draw will be held. As a bonus members can gain additional chances in the draw for each additional year included in the renewal. And members who refer another person who becomes a member prior to the draw will receive an additional ticket in the draw for each new member referred. To become a member of the Peer Resources Network and gain a ticket in the draw worth $2950.00, go to the secure membership site and check the box to participate in the draw for the Dream Coach training. For more information about the Certified Dream Coach Training, go to http://www.dreamcoach.com. Career Advisor has received high praise from coaches, managers, and executives. One coach who was provided the time-limited access by Peer Resources initially wanted to explore the site to determine whether it would be suitable to recommend to a client. However, after a short exploratory phase, the coach found himself "totally blown-away" and was able bring his coaching to a higher level to assist his client. Career Advisor starts at $250 per end client user (minimum order usually requires access keys for 5 clients) with volume discounts for larger orders. Peer Resources is so convinced about the value of this new resource that we have made arrangements with the creators of this interactive career management tool to distribute a limited number of access keys at a significant discount of $25.00. The access key provides each user with a one-week preview opportunity to use all features of the site. If a Coaching News subscriber decides to go ahead and use Career Advisor for his or her clients, the $25.00 preview access will be deducted from the cost of the minimum purchase of access keys for five or more clients. Any Coaching News subscriber that currently has (1) an active coaching practice and (2) is in a position to recommend the Career Advisor environment to a business or corporate organization for its employees is eligible to obtain one of the discounted keys. To obtain a password, email Rey Carr at rcarr@peer.ca with brief details about eligibility. Asked why she was using the International Coach Federation's designation "MCC" (Master Certified Coach) when she was neither certified by nor a member of the International Coach Federation, a well-known TV-show life coach said it was because the designation "fit her life experience and talent." ~ Excerpt from A Guide to Credentials in Coaching ~ BEST SITES on the INTERNET for SERVICES to COACHES The rapid expansion of coaching has been accompanied by a significant increase in websites devoted to coaching. However, most of these newer sites are primarily focused on advocating for a particular coaching service, school or organization. Up to the beginning of the Year 2000 only one other website besides the Peer Resources site provided educational or general information about coaching. The websites listed in the Peer Resources' Best Sites section (http://www.peer.ca/coaching.html) typically are focused on coaching in general or provide value added services for coaches and do not reflect the individual services of particular coaches. Each site is thoroughly reviewed and assessed by our web team. Only those sites which meet our standards for (1) ease of navigation; (2) quality of content; and (3) degree to which the site has value for coaches or the coaching community are included. Most coaching schools, coach training organizations, and professional associations for coaches have their own web sites and are listed and described in our Coaching Directory. And many coaches have their own excellent web sites. A separate page has been created for Coach Referral services or websites that are primarily concerned with matching coaches and clients. Many of the sites listed in the Peer Resources' Best Sites section have also been willing to provide a discount to visitors for their services if visitors navigate from Peer Resources to the service site. In some cases, the services provide a commission to Peer Resources which, in turn, is donated by Peer Resources to a local charity for homeless youth. Some of the Best Sites currently listed include: Client Compass (rated as the best software to help coaches build a practice and manage client information); Oak Training (a reputation for top quality training modules and human resource policies); TeachMeTeamWork (the highest level of interactive teambuilding activities and tools); plus twelve other options. For more details about their services and offers, go to the Best Sites page in the Peer Resources' Coaching Directory. "Everyone has a talent; what is rare is the courage to follow the talent to the dark place where it leads." ~ Erica Jong ~ ATTEND A TOP LEVEL COACHING CONFERENCE or EVENT Several coaching conferences are scheduled over the next few months. A selection of those conferences from the Peer Resources website include: Professional Coaches and Mentors Association Ninth Business Coaching Conference For additional coaching events, go to http://www.peer.ca/coaching.html. To list an event contact Rey Carr. "Sometimes our light goes out but is blown into flame by another human being. Each of us owes deepest thanks to those who have rekindled this light." ~ Albert Schweitzer ~ THREE STUDIES TO GUIDE PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE Underwood, R. (February, 2005). Are you being coached? Fast Company, 83-85.
Gonzalez, A.L. (2004). Transformative conversations: Executive coaches and business leaders in dialogical collaboration for growth. Unpublished doctoral dissertation, Union Institute and University.
Dawdy, G.N. (2004). Executive coaching: A comparative design exploring the perceived effectiveness of coaching and methods. Unpublished doctoral dissertation, Capella University.
"Mark Twain once visited the artist Whistler in his studio and was looking over his paintings. He started to touch one canvas. 'Oh,' cried Whistler, 'don't touch that! Don't you see, it isn't dry yet?' ~ Anecdote from Edmund Fuller ~ WHAT'S NEW IN COACHING SCHOOLS The Coaching News is a free copyrighted publication of Peer Resources, 1052 Davie Street, Victoria, British Columbia V8S 4E3 Canada. All articles are written by Rey Carr unless otherwise indicated. Back issues are available online at http://www.mentors.ca/thecoachingnews.html. To subscribe or unsubscribe send an email to info@peer.ca. |
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