The HeArt of Laser-Focused Coaching
by Marion Franklin, MS, MCC
I am an ACC coach undergoing certification at the moment and this book was recommended by my mentor during our classroom sessions as I embarked on this fulfilling journey of Coaching.
Marion Franklin doesn’t need any introduction in the world of coaching, however for those who are new here or are just starting their journey, Marion is a stalwart in the field of coaching for last 20 years when coaching itself was in its nascent stage. She is PCC since 1998 and MCC since 2006.
Review of the Book
“Why are they telling me this? What's making this a problem for this person?”
This is the core of this highly engaging book which is a masterclass in itself in coaching.
There are two types of coaching - Transactional and Transformational. Once we move away from the story and deeper into the who of the client is when the coaching moves from being Transactional to Transformational. And this is what the book is all about - how to move from “Doing” to “Being”.
This book has been divided in 5 parts across 17 chapters. These chapters are strategically organised to give the reader an experience of flow - from beginning of a conversation to the end of the conversation. This makes reading easy and experiential which leads to higher absorption.
As the title suggests - HeArt of Laser Focussed Coaching - its a beautiful usage of words in the title that makes it very meaningful - Heart refers to the maintaining compassion and Art means via a due process that results in meaningful impact for the client. Laser Focussed again refers to keeping a very sharp focus on the client and not on the story of the client. Story is important for the client but as a coach one needs to focus on the emotion and thereby helping the client uncover their actual goal and not the stated goal.
Key Learning Insights
This book is a masterclass in itself and like every masterclass the master here is teaching us not only through theory but also with examples. Each concept is interspersed with multiple examples of client stories (identity not disclosed as part of the confidentiality competency) that work as use cases for the reader. As a reader you will resonate with many of these examples as experience in personal life, with clients or even imagine these with potential clients. The description of each example is so vivid that one can actually feel they are part of the scene.
These concepts and examples are further detailed with art of questioning. Marion has connected each concept and example with the usual coaching question - transactional way - with the advanced coaching question - the transformational way. And due to this at many places in the book you will pause to reflect that you could have actually used these questions with your clients to make a deeper impact. And the questions are so so simple, its unbelievable. It's just a matter of picking some of these and practising in the next session and see the impact. In fact i urge you to come back from your session and go through the book randomly to reflect on the usage and reception of the questions.
It amazes me to see how Marion has managed to actually do a 360-degree view of the entire coaching process across each chapter. Reflection is such an important part of any coaches journey and it has been advocated in the book not only through examples but also through self reflection of the concepts. There are extremely potent questions asked at the end of each chapter for self reflection. If one were to really follow those it would be a great journaling activity for the coach themselves to identify their own areas of improvement.
At the end of the book, there is treat for the readers - a full sample of a Laser focussed coaching session. It is important that you read it the end once you have absorbed the concepts and examples.
Linkage to ICF Core Competencies
The concepts in the book strongly relate to several ICF competencies, especially Maintaining Presence, Active Listening and Evoking Awareness. It is repeatedly highlighted in the book that it is imperative to stay with the client’s emotions and patterns rather than getting involved in the storyline.
Maintaining Presence
The book emphasizes maintaining presence by not bringing in preconceived notions, ego, or applying our own experiences to those of the clients - sympathetically or otherwise. As a coach, one needs to come into the conversation with a sense of nothingness. It highlights that transformation must first begin within the coach before stepping fully into the profession. This is where the distinction between “doing coaching” versus “being a coach” becomes very evident.
Active Listening
Listening with intent, listening without bias and listening deeply are some of the key areas explored in the book. I believe coaching at its core is 90% about creating a safe space for the client to talk and therefore listening is one of the most critical themes that can make or break a coaching conversation. Marion goes on to expand on listening as an art wherein the coach listens to every word of the client and captures it as data – judgement free. Further, as part of deep listening, a coach needs to listen to offhand statements, pauses, emotions and body language. This is the part that made a strong impact on my understanding of listening and I now practice this more intentionally in my coaching conversations.
Evoking Awareness
This book is a treasure of examples when it comes to understanding how a coach can create awareness by asking questions. It facilities all coaches – new and old with many questions that can be applied to various situations – even when the coach is stuck and not able to move forward. For new coaches who may be feeling hesitant, this section serves as a guide and reference point.
To summarize, Laser Focused refers to keeping a very sharp focus on the client and listen to story as data. Story is important for the client but as a coach one needs to focus on the emotion and thereby helping the client uncover their actual goal and not the stated goal.
Once we move away from the story and deeper into the who of the client is when the coaching moves from being Transactional to Transformational.
Application to My Coaching Practice
As an ACC coach (undergoing certification), I always found myself to be nervous before going into the session. There were always questions around the ideal flow of conversation, right questions to evoke awareness, how to recognise the “aha” moment, closing the conversation etc. All these questions are answered in this book in a very simplified manner.
It's just a matter of picking some of these and practicing in the next session and see the impact.
In fact, I urge you to come back from your session and go through the book randomly to reflect on the usage and reception of the questions.
Critical Reflection
This book is a masterclass in itself and like every masterclass the master here is teaching us not only through theory but also with examples.
However, the book aims at giving an application based and lived coaching experience. At times, readers looking for deeper academic or research-backed theory may wish for more references, although the simplicity and practicality of the book are also its biggest strengths.
Personal Coaching Growth Reflection
Reflection is such an important part of any coach’s journey and it has been advocated in the book not only through examples but also through self reflection of the concepts. There are extremely potent questions asked at the end of each chapter for self reflection. If one were to really follow those it would be a great journaling activity for the coach themselves to identify their own areas of improvement.
Conclusion and Recommendation
This book has given me confidence to enter a conversation in two major areas - listening with intent and asking simple questions that evoke awareness.
I highly recommend this book to ACC students immediately after their classroom hours. You must always sit with a notebook because there will be many notes you will want to make for yourself.
Reviewed by Nidhi Jain