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    The Progress Coaching Blog

    Coaching To Avoid Distractions

    July 8, 2020 Posted by : Tim Hagen
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    This is a sample coaching map from our book series Coaching Conversations - we hope you find this helpful!

    Suggested Strategy:

    • Use Journal-Based Coaching to provide tangible success for the your coaching target to track as they progress.

    Suggested Questions:

    • Permission + The Sword:  Because I want to see you become successful in your position, with your permission I would like to share some observations with you so that I don’t make assumptions, because that would be unfair to you. (When permission is granted) It is my perception that you struggle occasionally with avoiding distractions during the work day.
    • Self-Actualized Question:  What actions will you commit to taking in order to successfully avoid distractions during the work day?

    Suggested Activities:

    • Whiteboard Coaching:  On the left side of a whiteboard, write down how this person thinks that their peers would currently describe their ability to avoid distractions.  On the right side of the board, write down how they would ideally like their peers to describe their ability to avoid distractions.  Erase the left side of the board and write down the actions that they are willing to take to reach the description on the right side of the board.
    • Practice:  Give the person a sample situation of someone or something becoming distracting.  Ask them to walk you through what actions they could take in that situation to avoid the distraction and remain focused on their work.    

    Suggested Learning Projects:

    • Peer-to-Peer Coaching:  Assign for this person to meet with two of their peers once each during the week.  Ask them to interview their peers about how they handle distractions.  What actions do they take to avoid the distractions?  What strategy do they apply to get back on track when they do become distracted?  How do they keep themselves organized so that distractions are minimal?  They should email you after each meeting with what they learned, as well as two things that they can apply to their own strategy in avoiding distractions.
    • Journal-Based Coaching:  Throughout the week, have the employee keep a running journal entry of times where they felt most distracted during the day.  What was the distraction, and what effect did it have on their focus?  Be prepared to discuss the journal entries at your next coaching session.

    Supplemental Coaching Strategies:

    • 30-Second Coaching:  Take 30 seconds to verbally acknowledge a time where you observed this person avoiding distraction and staying focused.  Let them know what effect their focus had on their productivity, and that you appreciate their efforts.

    Want More Info On Coaching Maps? CLICK HERE

    Join us for a FREE webcast on coaching during our "new normal":  https://tinyurl.com/y9jty2jh

    Coaching Disengaged Employees
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    About Author

    Tim Hagen
    Tim Hagen

    Tim Hagen founded Progress Coaching, a Training Reinforcement Partner Company, in 1997. His entrepreneurial career began in college leading to positions in sales, sales management, and sales training for small and large corporations, and eventually ownership of several training companies. Tim is often a keynote speaker at companies teaching the value of coaching and conversations in the workplace. He possesses a unique combination of hands-on experience, academics, and innovative insight to solve the industry’s most common challenges specific to workplace performance. Tim holds a bachelor’s degree in Adult Education and Training from the University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee.

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