Module 5 – Basic Coaching Skills
Coaching is a subtle and powerful art, which requires a set of fundamental skills to effectively guide individuals on their journey. These skills form the foundation upon which the GRIEF COACH can build a relationship of trust, safety, and growth with the bereaved. They allow them to create a conducive space for exploring the individual’s emotions, thoughts, and resources, all while guiding them towards their goals of wellness and resilience in the face of loss.
In this module, we will delve into the core of basic coaching skills, in order to understand their principles, techniques, and postures. We will see how these skills are embodied in grief coaching practice, and how they can be mobilized to meet the specific needs of bereaved individuals.
We will start by exploring the foundations of the coaching relationship, such as active listening, compassionate presence, non-judgment, and confidentiality. These attitudes are essential to creating an atmosphere of trust and emotional safety where the bereaved person can feel welcomed and validated in their unique experience. We will see how to cultivate these relational qualities, by working on our own presence, empathy, and ethics.
Next, we will discuss effective coaching communication techniques, such as open questioning, restating, mirroring, and feedback. These tools help the individual clarify their thoughts, explore their emotions, become aware of their resources, and find their own solutions. We will learn to use them appropriately and creatively, according to the needs and style of each bereaved individual.
Another crucial aspect of coaching that we will explore is goal-setting and action planning. In the context of bereavement, this involves assisting the individual in identifying their needs and aspirations, setting realistic and motivating goals, and implementing concrete strategies to achieve them. We will see how to formulate SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic, Time-bound) goals, and how to support the individual in achieving them, step by step.
Throughout this module, we will ensure to anchor these coaching skills in an ethical and reflective posture. We will question issues of power, responsibility, and boundaries in the grief coaching relationship. We shall reflect on how to respect the individual’s autonomy and choices, while providing appropriate and compassionate support. We will also learn to take care of ourselves as coaches, cultivating our own emotional balance and knowing when to pass the baton when necessary.
This module on basic coaching skills is an invitation to develop our being and doing in order to accompany bereaved individuals with accuracy and humanity. By integrating these skills into our practice, we can provide quality grief coaching, combining rigorous techniques with the warmth of relationship. We can thus help create spaces of resilience and growth, where bereaved individuals can navigate their grief feeling supported, listened to, and strengthened in their resources.
So let’s delve together into the exploration of these fundamental skills, to refine our art of coaching and offer bereaved individuals accompaniment commensurate with their humanity. For beyond the techniques, it is in the quality of our presence and commitment that the beating heart of grief coaching resides. By consciously and compassionately cultivating these skills, we can make every encounter a moment of deep connection and positive transformation, serving life that continues, despite loss.
