6 Zen Principles to Be a Highly Masterful Coach! | By Fran Fisher, MCC

With this article, we introduce a brand new guest author - Fran Fisher, MCC. Fran is one of the pioneers in our coaching industry - I hope you enjoy this short, powerful article!

Imagine a world where these are guiding principles, not just for coaches, but for how we are all being in all of our relationships. Each of these Principles is designed to spark new insights and perspectives. Open to the possibility that when you honor these Principles you will call forth your own greatness and the greatness of others around you.

Principle 1 - Being Leads Doing

Who you are being has more to do with the quality of your coaching than what you are doing (i.e. the skills and tools you are using). For example, being caring and curious will influence the quality of your presence, safety and trust. That state of being will influence the depth of your listening and the effectiveness of your reflections, questions, and choice of tools. Focus on who you are being, and the doing will naturally follow.

Principle 2 -  Learning is Central

Coaching is founded on the principle of empowerment. You facilitate a client's self-empowerment by helping them learn more about themselves. Focus on asking questions that help the client learn who they are (vision, purpose, values, strengths, beliefs, what they think, how they feel, etc.) and they will grow their own capacities for greater success and fulfillment in their lives. The nature of your questions, open-ended and curious, is the invitation for the client's self-awareness to be revealed and their deep wisdom to be discovered.

Principle 3 - Deep Caring is the Key Context

The power of the heart creates safety, trust, and openness. It clears obstacles, expands possibilities, and supports clients to feel safe and empowered to move toward what "lights them up." Judgment is the single biggest impediment to transformation, whether it is self-inflicted or perceived as coming from the coach. The coach's ability to generate caring, kindness and compassion without being attached to the outcome or 'voting' on the client's choices is subtle yet empowering.

Principle 4 - Transformation is the Purpose

The purpose of coaching is to affect deep, meaningful, and lasting change - in other words, a transformation. When a client shifts their perspective to an empowering view versus a victim view, for example, they are at choice rather than at the effect of the circumstance. This is transformational for the client. Now the client has the freedom to choose versus being influenced by limiting beliefs, circumstances, or others in their life.

Principle 5 - Empowering Feedback is Essential

Use language that has the greatest positive impact on the client, such as acknowledging the qualities of who they are being. Reflecting the qualities you observe like courageous, responsible, generous, etc. will raise their self-awareness on who they are being. This helps the client access their greatness. Offering observations of your client's unconscious limiting or empowering patterns of behavior or language will also shine the light on their unconsciousness, and empower their self-discovery process.

Principle 6 - Deep Listening is the Key Competency

Most interpret listening as originating from their ears. Deep listening comes from listening with your body, heart, and soul. Deep listening is from your client's heart to your heart for where they are hungry, for where they are longing for change, and for where they are longing to be seen, heard and accepted. Your listening informs your powerful questioning, direct communication, and raising awareness, and impacts the effectiveness of all your coaching competencies.

If you enjoyed this article from Fran, check out our Reader Discounts, Benefits & Bonuses Page for a wonderful time-sensitive offer from Fran to learn and further develop your coaching skills with your own "Portable Mentor"!

If this article resonates with you, you'll love Fran's NEW book: Calling Forth Greatness, Seven Coaching Wisdoms for Transforming Your Life, available here on Amazon in both Kindle and Paperback formats.

If you like this article on masterful coaching, you may also like:

• How to Have More Coaching Breakthroughs | by Dr Marcia Reynolds, MCC
• What Keeps People from Making Positive Changes in Life? With 3 Essential Beliefs
• How I Stopped Being a Know-it-All (and the ABCs of Beginner's Mind)

Contributing Author:

Fran Fisher, Master Certified Coach, MCC. is a champion for the power of coaching and its transformational impact in the world. She is one of the pioneers of the coaching profession and a founding executive board member of the ICF. She specializes in coaching and mentoring coaches for their MCC. Connect with Fran on LinkedIn, Facebook and learn more about her free resources for coaches at www.franfishercoach.com.

Learn more about Fran & see all their articles here >>