Professional Coaching Behaviors (Active Listening, Information Gathering, Reframing)

Observable Behaviors of the Effective Coach

The behavior of the coach during the development of his tasks is fundamental for the effectiveness of the process.

Beyond the internal qualities, certain observable and trainable behaviors are necessary to facilitate communication, understanding and the coachee's progress.

These professional actions set the stage for exploration and discovery.

Among the most important are active listening, the ability to gather relevant information, and the technique of rephrasing.

Active Listening: Beyond Hearing

Active listening involves much more than simply hearing the coachee's words; it is about actively conveying to the person speaking that you are indeed listening to him or her and that you are genuinely interested in what he or she is saying.

This conveyance of interest manifests itself not only in verbal responses but, crucially, in the nonverbal aspects of the coach's behavior.

Elements such as maintaining appropriate eye contact, adopting an attentive and open body posture, and using subtle nodding gestures communicate engagement and presence.

A closely related and vital skill is listening without judgment or immediate eva luation.

It is important to avoid continually indicating whether you agree or disagree, or whether you think the coachee is right or wrong, as this can inhibit their honest expression and limit exploration.

Information Gathering: Understanding the Context

A key professional behavior is the systematic gathering of relevant information.

It is desirable for the coach to collect all relevant data that will enable him or her to adequately assess the coachee's situation and propose appropriate actions.

Indeed, a large part of the coach's job is to collect reliable data about the coachee himself, his environment (personal, professional) and the way he interacts within that context.

This process of gathering information is not an end in itself, but an essential means to understand the situation in its complexity and, fundamentally, to be able to establish an empathic relationship with the coachee, seeing the world from his or her perspective.

Reframing: Ensuring Mutual Understanding

Often, during the conversation, the coach will need to use rephrasing. This technique consists of paraphrasing or repeating in one's own words what the coachee has just said. Its purpose is multiple and very valuable.

Firstly, it allows the coach to ensure that the message has been correctly understood, both verbally (the explicit content) and emotionally (the underlying feelings or nuances).

Secondly, by mirroring what the client has said, the coa