Seven Core Coaching Skills In Physician Coach Training

Physician coaching is a growing resource in healthcare used to support performance and wellness. In the past, coaching has been misapplied in healthcare and was often more closely aligned with a mentoring model. Instead of telling clients what to do, coaches facilitate critical thought, planning, and next steps. In this blog, we will look at seven important core coaching skills we acquire in Physician Coach Training.

Ethical Coaching Standards

Professional coaches understand and consistently apply ethical standards defined by the International Coaching Federation (ICF). They adhere to recognized coaching ethics, ensuring a foundation built on integrity, confidentiality, and respect for the client's autonomy.

Embody a Coaching Mindset

The ICF defines the coaching mindset as “open, curious, flexible and client-centered.” This mindset fosters an environment conducive to exploration, growth, and learning in ourselves and others. Physicians are trained to solve problems, so learning a coaching mindset often requires unlearning the solution-oriented mindset when working with coaching clients.

Establish Trust and Safety

Building trust and creating a safe space is fundamental in coaching. Physician coaches establish trust through empathy, confidentiality, and a non-judgmental attitude, allowing clients to explore vulnerabilities and challenges openly. This is a tremendously valuable and widely applicable skill in patient care, with colleagues, and with our families. 

Maintain a Coaching Presence

Presence is the art of being fully conscious and engaged with the client. Physician coaches embody a style that is open, grounded, and confident, ensuring a focused and engaged interaction. Physicians often display tremendous presence in the face of awful circumstances, but with a coaching presence, we seek a deeper level of awareness with our communication partner, using skills like silence and curiosity. 

Listen Actively

Active listening is a nuanced skill that should always be worked on. It involves listening on a deeper level and using skills to demonstrate you are truly listening. Active listening gives us the ability to confirm what clients express and potentially hear what remains unsaid, as well as foster deeper reflection, increase awareness, and express empathy. 

Support Client Self-Discovery

Physician coaches should heighten client awareness, not by telling them what to do, but by actively listening, asking thoughtful questions, and using other coaching skills to support client self-discovery and next steps. It is not the coach's job to tell the client what to do or how to think. Early on, it's important to distinguish coaching from mentoring. Evoking awareness in ourselves and others is where we start to put it all together. 

Empower Client Growth

Partnering with clients, physician coaches help transform awareness into action. They empower clients to autonomously design the next steps, supporting a client’s newfound insights into tangible, meaningful changes.

The seven core coaching skills we acquire in Physician Coach Training empower physician coaches to facilitate transformative experiences for their clients. By embracing a coaching mindset and using coaching skills like developing trust and active listening, physician coaches elevate the coaching process, leading to profound and sustainable change in healthcare.

Source:

International Coaching Federation Core Competencies