Use The Power Of Simplicity

Another way coaches help others simplify thoughts in what can be a volatile, uncertain, complex, and ambiguous world is to help the coachee “zoom out” to see the big picture. When they “zoom out”, they gain a perspective that is less cluttered. Coachees have a better idea of where they are and where they want to go when the coach enables them to orient themselves away from the chaos.

When people zoom out, they are given a sense of calm. Instead of feeling besieged by issues that seem urgent up close, an elevated view may allow the coachee to get a proper sense of what is troubling them. When people are drowning in details, they lose sense of the holistic whole and what is really important or urgent.

After they have “zoom out” and cleared their heads. It is time for the coach to zoom back in. For example, if Mary appears anxious and confused, the coach can start by asking what her biggest challenge is. If she goes on to list a few items, the coach can guide the conversation back to what is the challenge that stresses her the most. From there, the conversation can be focused on resolving the biggest challenge by coming up with solutions and key actions. The conversation can then move to the second biggest challenge, and so on. In coaching Mary, the coach seeks to help her focus on the essential core or issue of the problem. When the clutter is cleared, people are more likely to discover the solutions.

Think of simplifying as a financial executive who needs the number for the bottom line. That final spectacular financial figure. In other words, what matters the most. Likewise in coaching conversations, helping people find what their bottom line is brings great clarity and focus. Doing so also guides the conversation towards taking the right and powerful actions the coachee needs to take to achieve the bottom line.