Solution focused coaching - The basics

Looking at coaching, particularly coaching focused on improving life skills and related areas, I have benefited greatly from my Applied Psychology education. Skills I learned in courses such as conversation techniques consistently resurface in my daily practice. Regarding my coaching philosophy, the course that helped me the most was one that focused on the theory of Solution-Focused Work. I would like to share with you my translation of this philosophy into a high-performance sports setting.

Coaching should aim to help an athlete comfortably and quickly get from point A to point B. Comfort is not always possible, as there are always bumps in the road, but the process can be made as comfortable as possible. Furthermore, the goal should be to keep the process short. The process ends when the athlete has the confidence to independently perform the newly learned behavior.

The athlete must always be central in coaching. The ‘project’ is something the coach and athlete work on together. The project should lead to the ‘destination,’ a final goal fully owned by the athlete. The coach plays an advisory and suggestive role in the athlete’s process. The coach assumes the athlete has their own ideas about the ‘destination’ and how to get there. Moreover, the coach assumes the athlete already possesses the skills and tools to assist in that process.

Another important principle in coaching athletes should be an unwavering focus on the future. Focusing on the future fosters ‘hope.’ Hope is essential in any change process—it makes the process more vibrant, sparks creativity, and generates enthusiasm. When coach and athlete focus on the future, it is more likely conversations will center on solutions rather than problems.

“Talking about problems creates problems. Talking about solutions creates solutions.”

Fundamentals of Solution-Focused Coaching

To help describe this philosophy, here are the fundamental principles of this coaching approach:

If it works, leave it be

The coach must always discover what already works for the athlete, even if only a little or occasionally. The coach should never try to fix what already works. If the athlete is not complaining about something the coach sees as problematic, it’s better not to immediately treat it as a problem.

If something has ever worked, do it more often

If the athlete or coach notices that something is working, look for ways to repeat it. It’s important to understand why certain things already work, so the athlete can repeat them. Let the athlete reflect on what they already do effectively, which increases positivity and self-confidence.

If something doesn’t work, do it differently

Athletes sometimes feel like they’ve tried everything or that they keep going in circles. This may be true, but consider trying something new. Ask the athlete if they know what not to do—it’s just as important to know what to avoid as to know what to do. Explore what the athlete does that doesn’t work. To do something different, we try to think outside current frameworks. This way, coach and athlete can break the pattern.

Change is constant and inevitable

People prefer their lives to be stable and predictable, yet constant change is unavoidable. We are already different people today than we were yesterday, having learned or experienced something new that changed us.

As coaches, we can look for small changes athletes have already tried to make in moving closer to their goals. Sometimes athletes are unaware of these small steps.

Our role as coaches, understanding that change is inevitable, is to look together with the athlete for positive changes to build upon.

The future is negotiable and created

Whatever has happened in the athlete’s past or whatever behaviors they displayed, it is more important to find out what they want to do going forward. Many assume a person will always behave the way they have, but that’s not true.

A key coaching principle is that every athlete can change, even if their past behavior was negative. Athletes are not slaves to their past. They can make choices and decisions today about their future, regardless of past circumstances.

Small solutions can lead to big changes

Generally, people think big and complex issues require big changes that take a long time. This prospect can discourage athletes from initiating change. It’s important to show athletes that the focus is on taking the first step—each small step brings them closer to their goal. Many small solutions and changes make the process clearer and ultimately help reach objectives.

Problems and solutions are not always directly related

Initially, it may seem illogical, but solutions don’t always connect clearly to problems. Usually, they do, but sometimes solutions repeatedly fail because a completely different approach is needed. Sometimes, even an apparently ridiculous solution works better than a logical and reasonable one.

No problem is present all the time

There’s no problem that is always present for an athlete. For every problematic situation, there are exceptions. For example, if an athlete struggles to focus, there are usually moments when they can focus well.

Exceptions might relate to:

• Locations

• Roles

• Tasks

• People

• Moments

For instance, a coach may find it hard to communicate with an athlete during training, yet during a team event or with fellow athletes, the athlete communicates well. If communication is a key skill, it's important to recognize such exceptions where desired behavior appears.

When coach and athlete identify exceptions—times when the athlete already shows the desired behavior—the athlete can consider what they do differently in those situations. This can help transfer that behavior to harder situations. We must remain convinced the athlete already has the solution but doesn’t yet know how to find it in particular contexts.

Ask questions, don’t tell what to do

Asking questions is the most important communication skill in coaching. Learning to ask the right questions means rarely putting answers in the athlete’s mouth and avoiding direct confrontation.

Give compliments

The coach should always highlight what is going well and also acknowledge how difficult change is. Doing this sparks the athlete’s motivation to change and shows the coach’s involvement. Compliments reinforce and confirm what is already working well.