If you’re new to coaching, you’ve probably heard the term “the coaching spectrum” mentioned in many blogs, articles and videos. But what is the coaching spectrum, and how does it impact your coaching practice?
In this article, we’ll explain what the coaching spectrum is. You’ll learn about the two coaching styles at either end of the spectrum, what they are and how to use them, as well as how they impact your practice and what effect each style can have on your client’s outcomes.
What Is The Coaching Spectrum?
The coaching spectrum is a linear scale of coaching styles, with directive coaching at one end and non-directive coaching at the other.
You can think of it like a paint colour chart you’d see at a home decor store, which starts with a light shade and gradually gets darker, ending in a deep shade.
The coaching spectrum is the same. It starts with a non-directive coaching style and, as you move along the spectrum, it gradually mixes and transforms into a directive coaching style at the opposite end.
What Is Non-Directive Coaching?
Non-directive coaching is an approach where you, as the coach, take a passive but supportive role with your client.
A non-directive coaching style gives your client the chance to work out the answers to their own problems and make decisions with minimal guidance from you. Your role with this style of coaching is to facilitate rather than to ‘do’.
When you’re practising non-directive coaching, you’ll be using strategies such as:
Listening to understand your client
Reflecting on their experiences
Paraphrasing what they say
Summarising what your client has described
Asking questions that increase their awareness
When Is Non-Directive Coaching Helpful?
There’s a time and a place for everything. Although non-directive coaching has its limits, a little bit of non-directive coaching may be helpful at any time and for anyone.
This is because non-directive coaching is a non-judgemental and unbiased way to support a person’s own ability to process events, understand situations and make decisions.
A non-directive coaching style puts you, the coach, in the back seat, allowing your client to have full control and take full responsibility for their own ideas, plans and decision-making.
If your client is on the right track but needs some encouragement or support to rethink things or see their situation from another perspective, non-directive coaching empowers them to work it out for themselves.
Self-directed, autonomous learning is an effective way to support personal growth, so non-directive coaching can be a really powerful tool. However, there are times when clients get stuck, and that’s where directive coaching can be imperative.
What Is Directive Coaching?
Directive coaching is a style where you, as the coach, take a direct role in the personal growth and development of your client and their outcomes. You engage in an active partnership with your client. The directive strategies you use position you as the leader in the partnership, and you give advice and guidance from an assertive position.
Directive coaching strategies include:
Making suggestions to your client
Teaching strategies and techniques
Giving feedback
Offering guidance
Giving advice
Want to work this way with your own clients? Explore our coaching pathways.
Coaching pathways