Coaching Curiosity

In my coaching journey and training session at #GCC , I have found that fostering a mindset and enhancing effectiveness are achieved by demonstrating and asking curiosity-driven questions. In fact, ICF CORE COMPETENCY 2 Emphasizes embodying a coaching mindset by developing and maintaining a mindset that is open, curious, flexible, and client-centered. Additionally, ICF CORE COMPETENCY 5 Maintains Presence, particularly 5.2, highlights the importance of demonstrating curiosity during coaching sessions. It's important to distinguish between two types of curiosity: Nosey and Coaching.

Nosey curiosity refers to an intrusive or prying interest in the affairs of others, often crossing boundaries of privacy or propriety. This type of curiosity goes beyond mere interest and enters the realm of meddling or snooping into matters that may not concern the person being curious. It can be seen as disrespectful or annoying because it shows a lack of consideration for the privacy and personal boundaries of others.

Coaching curiosity ( dancing in a moment with your client) is a deeply engaged and respectful form of curiosity that coaches use to understand their clients better. It involves asking thoughtful and open-ended questions to explore the client's thoughts, feelings, and motivations. This type of curiosity is non-judgmental and aims to facilitate the client's self-discovery, growth, and problem-solving. Coaching curiosity is characterized by a genuine interest in the client's perspective and experiences, fostering a supportive and empowering environment.

Example of Coaching Curiosity

Imagine a scenario where a coach, is working with a client, David, who is struggling with work-life balance. Instead of making assumptions or offering immediate solutions, coach uses coaching curiosity to delve deeper into David’s situation.

Coach (Anu): "David, I notice you’ve mentioned feeling overwhelmed with balancing your work and personal life. Can you tell me more about what a typical day looks like for you?"

Client (David): "Well, I start my day early, around 6 AM, and I’m usually working until late in the evening. I try to spend time with my family, but it often feels rushed and stressful."

Coach (Anu): "That sounds really challenging. What are the most important activities for you during the day, both at work and at home?"

Client (David): "At work, it's important for me to attend meetings and meet deadlines. At home, I want to be present for my kids and help them with their homework."

Coach (Anu): "I hear you. How do you currently prioritize these activities? Are there moments when you feel like you’re able to balance both effectively?"

Client (David): "Sometimes I manage to balance things better on days when I delegate tasks at work. But I often feel guilty about not being able to give my best at either place."

Coach (Anu): "It’s great that you’ve identified delegation as a helpful strategy. What would it look like if you could delegate more often? How might that change your day-to-day experience?"

By asking these open-ended questions and showing a genuine interest in David's experiences, Anu uses coaching curiosity to help David explore his challenges and identify potential strategies for improvement. This approach empowers David to reflect on his situation and find solutions that align with his values and goals.

Some Strategies you can use in your Coaching Engagement :

• Pay attention to being curious
• Ask questions your clients don't know the answers to
• Encourage your client to be curious
• Let go of making assumptions
• Check in with yourself (what was the purpose of asking that question)

Writer Credentials : @anubhawalia is a multi-award-winning PCC Certified  with the International Coaching Federation (ICF). She is also a trained Mentor Coach and Hogan Certified  Practitioner. Anubha facilitates, train, coaches and works with managers and leaders to develop their coaching capability. She works as an international Corporate Executive and Leadership Coach, a leadership development designer and facilitator working with a wide range of organisations. Anubha also specialises in working with organisations to support them develop coaching culture. Anubha (https://linktr.ee/anubhawalia) has co-authored a book 500 Powerful Coaching Question (https://www.amazon.in/500-Powerful-Coaching-Questions-Leadership-ebook/dp/B09J8QDHGW?ref_=ast_author_dp) published in 2021 which provides a comprehensive guide to coaching for coaches at all levels of skill and experience. She also offers pro bono personal development and coaching programmes to young leaders (18-25-yrs). Anubha was named as one of the Leading Coach Award by CoachAward Singapore in 2022 and 2023. GCC SERVICES GCC Gulf Industry Online Gulf Career Hunt PRISM PHILOSOPHY (Training I Executive Coaching I Yoga & Wellness)