The Coach’s Corner: Situational Coaching

Abstract

This article explores how coaching, much like leadership, is a situational activity that requires coaches to adapt to the specific needs of their clients. It identifies four situational needs that coaches are asked to address: learning a skill, changing behavior, making decisions, and dealing with problem situations. It also emphasizes the importance of remaining objective and avoiding the righting reflex when helping clients with problem situations. Coaches must be flexible and adapt to the situational needs of the person they are helping while adhering to the fundamental nature of coaching.