Lesson 5: Coach for performance (5.12)
Action experiments
Think back, one last time, to the analogy of the golfer. The coach doesn’t have a solution to the problem. All he can do is observe it, ask the golfer about it, and listen to the golfer’s answers.
Then, collaboratively, they think about potential solutions. The coach suggests that the golfer angle himself away from the sun. The golfer wonders if a change in stance might help. Together, they select a few promising ideas and agree to try them out. In management coaching vernacular, these ideas are action experiments.
An action experiment is anything that the coachee might try to improve his or her performance.
In a management environment, action experiments could include:
• A change in working environment, hours, etc.
• Relaxation techniques prior to meetings or presentations
• A change in resource allocation or inputs
• A new communication technique
It’s important to bring a spirit of "let’s give it a try" to action experiments. Some will be more impactful than others, but all will provide you and the coachee with data to inform your next experiment. An ideal coaching relationship is a constant cycle of discussing, questioning