Evokes Awareness - Communicating Effectively

The International Coaching Federation (ICF) Core Competencies outline skills and approaches used by professional coaches. These principles are explicitly stated in the context of coaching and can be used with colleagues, patients, and ourselves in the hospital and beyond. In this blog series, we look at how the ICF Core Competencies apply to physicians in the areas of personal growth, peer support, and patient care. 

The seventh Core Competency area we will address in this blog series is critically important on the path to success: Evokes Awareness

The Evokes Awareness Core Competency is defined by eleven skills or approaches.

1. Considers client experience when deciding what might be most useful

 In coaching, the client’s needs take center stage. This client-centric approach is equally vital in medicine. Whether interacting with colleagues or patients, we must remain flexible, adapting our methods to suit individual needs rather than rigidly adhering to a single framework. Our goal is to facilitate their journey, not dictate it.

2. Challenges the client as a way to evoke awareness or insight

Challenging our clients—or patients—does not mean questioning their abilities or belittling their experiences. Instead, it involves gently pushing the boundaries of their current perspectives. By encouraging them to explore new possibilities and question limiting beliefs, we open doors to growth and transformation.

3. Asks questions about the client, such as their way of thinking, values, needs, wants and beliefs

Understanding a person’s values, needs, and beliefs is crucial in both coaching and medicine. This approach fosters a deeper connection, allowing us to guide them more effectively. Through reflective questioning, we help them clarify their thoughts, align their actions with their core values, and embark on a path that resonates with their true selves.

4. Asks questions that help the client explore beyond current thinking

Coaching is inherently forward-focused. While acknowledging the present, we want to inspire our clients and patients to envision a future that transcends their current limitations. By encouraging them to think beyond the immediate, we set the stage for meaningful progress.

5. Invites the client to share more about their experience in the moment

Encouraging clients and patients to share their experiences in the moment is invaluable. This competency activates reflection, helps process current thoughts and emotions, and can spark critical thinking. By contextualizing their experiences, they can extract valuable lessons that inform future decisions and actions.

These principles represent just half of the Evokes Awareness competency within the ICF’s Communicating Effectively domain. Stay tuned for our next article, where we will continue this exploration and reveal the remaining six core competencies of Evokes Awareness.

By integrating these coaching techniques into our practice, we empower ourselves and those we work with, fostering an environment of growth, understanding, and shared success. Join us as we continue to bridge the worlds of coaching and medicine, enhancing our impact as physician coaches.