COACHING i n t e r n a t i o n a l

NUGGET

Empowering you to Empower Others!

BACKTRACKING
Learning Objectives
Nothing shows respect quite like positively and skilfully reflecting someone's words back to them. Colleen-Joy

Definitions
? Have a clear

understanding of what backtracking means

? Have a clear

understanding of what reflective listening means

Reflective Listening is a well known communication technique that reflects back the essence of the words and message to the speaker. The reason we use reflective listening is to clarify and subtly confirm if we understand what the coachee is saying. Be careful not to make this technique sound mechanical. To be effective at reflective listening, you must pay close attention to the coachee and listen attentively. Sincere empathy adds depth to reflective listening. Reflective listening is not paraphrasing, where you summarize the core message and repeat it back to the coachee (which can be done, but only when needed and very sparingly). Traditionally the listener would reflect back using their own words ILS does not recommend changing the coachee's words. Reflective listening is used by counsellors, psychologists, coaches, leaders and all skilfully trained communicators. Backtracking is a focused, subtle reflective listening method. It is far more indirect and builds rapport quickly and easily. ILS Coaches are required to master backtracking and use it as a primary reflective listening technique. Specifically, backtracking is listening carefully to the coachee's words and noting a word or phrase that the coachee emphasizes with his or her voice OR a word or phrase that is key to the contract or its solutions. This word or phrase is then woven into the coach's next sentence, question or statement. Sometimes just the single word or phrase is just gently repeated. The coachee doesn't notice skilful backtracking. The coachee subconsciously feels that they are being heard and understood at a deep level. Examples of backtracking: Coachee: I just don't understand why I'm not making progress! o COACH: So if you were making progress, what would that be like? (This is a reframe to positive and backtracking in one.) Coachee: It would be so amazing to see my dream come alive. o COACH: Picture for a moment, your dream coming alive what do you imagine that to be like? Coachee: WOW, I never thought of that before! o COACH: WOW! (Notice this is a positive judgement, but it is the coachees own words so is highly supportive.) Coachee: I'm going to exercise for 10 minutes every morning. o COACH: 10 minutes every morning. (Notice this confirms and clarifies the coachees statement.)

? Be able to

practise backtracking as a primary rapport building coaching technique

Copyright 2011, Colleen-Joy Page. www.innerlifeskills.com