Needed skills of coaches

If we talk about coaches, it is necessary to look after the competences, which are needed to be a coach. In the current chapter there will be identified the most important needed skills of coaches.

A coach needs plenty of skills to be a good coach and to be able to build up a relationship. One of the most effective skills is communication, because this competence is needed in every way to influence the client to reach goals.

It depends on the order, which the coach has received and the needed skills might vary a lot but in general there are following most important skills to be a coach:

• Communication
• Client motivation
• Self-management
• Technical skills

These four skills can be divided in different activities, which are describing directly what the coach should bring along.

Communication

A coach should be able to listen and know when the right moment is to be quiet. Also the coach should ask the right question and must be empathetic. Coaches must also be direct, provide feedback and should be able to engender trust. Clients get shown different alternatives how they can reach their goals, so the coach should be able to generate alternatives, relate experiences and connect information.

Client motivation

If you work with people and you want them to choose alternatives or at least be active, the coach must have the competence to motivate them. Consequently the coach should be able to improve motivation for change and action. Also coaches have to facilitate change or transition. But this just can happen if the coach believes in the ability of the client.

Self-management

But not only in contact with the participants should the coach bring plenty of competences, but also on personal level. A coach should be curious and self-aware, also it is important that the coach have humility and is able to put aside personal agenda. If coaches work with people they have to be open for all kind of behavior and may be nonjudgmental.

Technical skills

Of course coaches must have knowledge about coaching and should have different methods down pat. For example it is important to know theories of motivation and also implement coaching practices and tools. Like in every area of working, coaches should keep increasing their knowledge of the business and develop strategies and plans. In some fields of coaching it is advisable to create contracts with the participants.