Coaching skills are useful for demonstrating respect, care, and building relationships in everyday conversations, not just formal coaching conversations.

As we're reminded, "Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone" (Colossians‬ ‭4‬:‭6‬).

Here are a few examples from the past month:

On a family outing, when we were making plans for the day, I engaged my active listening and asked a few more questions to draw out from others, rather than pushing my ideas. Happy family.

On a call with a potential new client, I took time to acknowledge and empathize with their current situation before sharing with them how our coaching training could be part of their solution. Happy potential client.

At a dinner party, I held back my story that I was reminded of as another person shared. Instead keeping the focus on them, I asked a follow up question that drew out more of what the person felt about what they were sharing. Happy friend.

I'd love for these behaviors to have been perfectly natural for me. But they aren't. Only by intentionally learning and practicing coaching skills was I able to use them in the moment.

Grace & Peace,