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. 2018 Aug 1;62(4):485–489. doi: 10.20945/2359-3997000000058

Table 1. Principles and tools of coaching.

Principles of coaching
Focus on the future
It focuses on the solution to problems rather than their source. A short, medium or long-term goal is defined.
Action
It is performed by weekly tasks, which are defined at the end of each session and must have deadlines to start and finish.
Autonomy
The goals to be achieved at the end of the process, as well as the weekly tasks and deadlines, are defined by the individuals in coaching, who have full autonomy in their choices.
Active listening without judgment
Building a relationship of trust in which the client can express himself freely.
Effective questions
These are open-ended questions that stimulate reflection and the elaboration of responses directed to new possibilities in the face of obstacles and difficulties. In addition, it generates the person's commitment to his own speech and decisions.
Focus on the positive
It seeks the optimistic look on adversity, seeking to resignify bad events and bringing to light more positive alternatives for confronting problems.
Coaching tools
S.M.A.R.T.
Once the goal is set, this tool is applied to format it, making the goal more realistic and achievable: S - specific; M - mensurable; A - attainable; R - relevant; T - time.
Behavioral profile
Questionnaire whose result indicates to the clients which behavior prevails in their day-to-day attitudes (analyst, communicative, executive, idealizer) and discusses how the predominant behavior helps or hinders the achievement of their goals.
Wheel of life
This tool was administered during the initial assessment to help guide the conversation, with participants reporting how successful or satisfied they were (0-10) in each life domain (career, family, financial, spiritual, health, intellectual, among others). This is a clinical tool to explore values, establish priorities, and set goals. Identifying areas in which the participants felt less successful or satisfied, they then chose areas on which to focus for coaching.
Action plan
It involves defining the first steps towards the goal, the goals to be achieved and contributing to the ultimate goal, predicting obstacles and how to circumvent them, and recruiting the skills and competencies needed to reach the desired state.