Hey Coaches! Sometimes You Just Need To Consult!
In the Agile coaching world, we put a lot of emphasis on gaining professional coaching skills - and for good reason. It’s more than just teaching people how to fish. Providing the space and opportunity for people to learn that they are resourceful, creative and have what it takes to overcome challenges is invaluable. When a coach shows up in this way, people gain confidence in their own abilities and become ready to tackle the next challenge without their coach. Coaching is a very powerful modality when working with clients. However, sometimes you just need to provide the answers and you need an effective tool to do that.
“Troika Consulting creates a magic space.”
My favourite tool for consulting with our clients is Troika Consulting from Liberating Structures. I was first introduced to Troika Consulting by Alex Sloley during his workshop at Agile2019 on Liberating Structures. It seemed gimmicky at first, especially when I had to turn my back to my “consultants” and just listen. The benefits of this technique became apparent very shortly after that moment, however. The whole premise behind Troika Consulting is: by simply listening in while others discuss our challenges based on their ideas and experience, we come away with new insights to tackle our challenge. Additionally, intentional silence also gives the client valuable space to reflect on their problem. I have experienced this working many times since that first introduction by Alex. The most fun and impactful way we have used Troika Consulting is as part of our online programs at Superheroes Academy. In our A-CSPO program, we help entrepreneurs (aka Product Owners) refine their product ideas through consulting. In our CSP-SM program, change agents (aka Scrum Masters) learn to integrate feedback from their clients using this method. I am amazed when new insights emerge for participants through Troika Consulting…and it happens every time! Here’s how it works:
In groups of 3, select one person to be the client. Everyone else is a consultant.
Select one of the consultants to also act as the timekeeper.
The client shares a challenge that they’re struggling with with the consultants and spends 2 minutes explaining their intended action related to that challenge.
The consultants spend 2 minutes asking clarifying questions.
The client goes on mute, turns off their webcam, and then listens while the consultants discuss the issue for 5 minutes.
The client then comes off of mute and back on camera. They have 1 minute to:
share what they learned from listening to their consultants
describe their next steps
thank their consultants
Switch roles until all participants have been in the role of the client.
While Troika Consulting was originally designed to be an in-person activity, we’ve adapted it (as you can see in the instructions above) to work online. As the first organization (well before COVID) to offer the Scrum Alliance Path to CSP programs in a virtual format, Superheroes Academy adapted many activities such as this to an online learning environment. And it works as well, if not better, than an in-person session.
“You can’t see it when you’re in it.”
The next time your client has a challenge that they are seeking help in overcoming, give Troika Consulting a try. You and your client may be surprised at just how effective it is in discovering new insights and will likely be a refreshing shift from the usual coaching stance.
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