Part IV: Using the Results

Coaching Fundamentals

Evaluating Progress

Individual Coaching

How do you know when an intervention has worked? How do you know that a particular activity will give you the result you want? How do you know that if you work on this skill by using that strategy, you will be able to develop a particular skill? It is vital that you set up a process to evaluate the progress of your clients. Below are some best practices you can engage in to get you there:

1. Before debriefing results, have clients identify areas that they believe they are strong in, and areas that are more of a struggle. Provide them with a focused set of questions such as:
   • Which of the 15 subscales do you believe you leverage regularly? How do you know?
   • Which of the 15 subscales do you believe you leverage less frequently? Why do you think that is?
   • Which of the 15 subscales do you believe are critical to your success as a leader?
   • What feedback have you been given that confirms your self-assessment?
2. Review responses to the questions above and compare them with results on the EQ-i 2.0:
   • How accurate were they in their self-assessment?
   • How will you address the areas that they were not accurate in?
   • How do their EQ-i 2.0 results compare to the subscales they have identified as critical to their success?
   • How will you address the gaps with them?
3. During the feedback session, focus your client on validating the information by asking for examples. The more examples they can provide, the better.
4. Ensure that any development plan they create is SMART (Specific, Measureable, Attainable, Realistic, and Time Bound).
5. Ensure your client does not focus on more than 3 development opportunities at one time. Too many will increase the chances of becoming overwhelmed and discouraged.
6. Ensure your client has someone who can can observe them executing their action plan. That way they can provide instant feedback and the client can learn from that as they continue to try out their new skills.
7. If you have an ongoing relationship with this client, make sure you discuss their EQ-i 2.0 development plan every time you meet, even for just a few minutes at the beginning of the session. Revisiting the development plan keeps it top of mind and goes a long way to ensuring success.
8. Ensure your client comes up with ideas for further developing their skills first, before you offer up suggestions. Your client will commit to their ideas more readily than yours.
9. While there is no black and white answer to when it is a good time to retake the EQ-i 2.0 to check progress, a good rule of thumb is to re-assess your client no sooner than two to three months after they have implemented their development plan.
10. Ensure you have complete commitment from your client when they are embarking on a development plan. If they are not committed, ask what needs to change in order for them to commit.