“How do you know when you create value?”
That’s a question my supervisor asked me recently and one I’m still reflecting on.
If coaching is aimed at creating new thinking, increased awareness, and deliberate actions, how do we know when that has actually occurred?
For me, I still feel a small sense of joy when someone I’m coaching says “that’s a good question.” It signals a pause, a shift, or a moment of deeper reflection. But that can’t be the only marker of value.
I’ve noticed that I generate value most when I help counterparts go deeper. Here are a few practical ways I do this:
- Whenever a counterpart says “that’s interesting”, I’ll ask: “what’s interesting about that?” This simple follow-up often uncovers new layers.
- Whenever a word or concept keeps coming up in the conversation, I’ll pause and ask: “what does [that word] mean to you?” It helps surface meaning that might otherwise remain unspoken.
- When I notice energy shift — a faster pace, a long pause, or a change in tone — I’ll name it and ask: “what’s happening for you right now?” These moments often open a doorway to deeper awareness.
Supervision continues to challenge me to notice where I place value in my coaching and how I measure it. The truth is, value might not be immediate or even visible in the session. Sometimes it shows up weeks later when a counterpart acts on a new insight.