Agile leadership, solution-oriented coaching

I took part in an Agile LeaderShip training course some time ago. Underneath the not very explicit training title, there is in fact a new way of dialoguing and accompanying one's entourage, be it professional or personal, such as the family entourage for example, focusing on the solution and no longer the problem.

The few exercises we did during the training made us realise that the vocabulary currently used in everyday life focuses on problems. Furthermore, we tend to close the dialogue quickly by using terms such as "why", which can give the impression of being judged. A simple change of terminology would allow us to open up the discussion and get the other person to complete, understand and try to find solutions for themselves.

Description of a constructive dialogue

Postulate: dialogue without a suitable method is restricted to a problem rather than a solution oriented approach.

Take for example a discussion between two people, Peter and Paul.

Peter starts to explain his problem to Paul so that he can understand it and its implications. Paul starts his sentences with "But" or "Why". Peter wants a fresh perspective and turns to his leader, Paul, to discuss the issue with him in the hope of finding an effective solution together.

However, in the absence of agile management, as the discussion progresses, Peter will feel judged and/or constrained by the questions and interventions of his interlocutor Paul. The more complex the problem and the more difficult the context of the problem is to express, the more sterile the conversation becomes as the discussion progresses. Both Peter and Paul are unable to finalise the discussion, so they part ways and Peter returns to the starting point, disappointed.

A change of vocabulary, without value judgements and without the assumption that there is a single judgement, would allow Paul to be more comfortable and achieve better results in understanding Peter's need. In this context, constructive, solution-oriented dialogue will encourage better listening and an exchange that focuses more on solutions than on the difficulties encountered.

In most cases, the person facing a difficulty and who exposes his or her problem already has all or part of a response and action. By listening to them and using more positive vocabulary such as "Yes and ..." or "How ...", the interviewer accompanies them on their way to achieving the desired objective of the explanation, the presentation of their idea, the management of their project...

This "solution" oriented active listening principle allows us to focus on what we want, identifying the necessary resources as well as the possibilities in order to achieve the desired goal. The search for the qualities and skills available enables proposals to be made and progress to be made in stages.

Focus on the EOLE method

During the training we were introduced to the EOLE methodology. This is a solution-oriented coaching method rather than a problem-oriented one:

• E: Boarding

The on-boarding should determine the direction the caller wants to go in and answer the following questions:

• Who is interested in what?
• What is the value of this discussion?
• How will we know that the discussion has been useful?

• O: Where do you want to go?

This step should identify the objective to be achieved by asking the following questions:

• What do you want the discussion to end with?
• What would allow you to determine that you have succeeded and reached your goal?

• L: The scale

The scale allows you to situate yourself in the progress of the project or the subject discussed.

• E: Forward

Should allow for the exploration of different avenues to determine the next step.

The benefits of Agile Leadership for ContentSide

The solution-oriented constructive dialogue methodology can bring about an even more positive dialogue and facilitate relationships, both internally and with the external providers we work with.

That is why, as far as possible, I try to use this methodology without using the EOLE technique. Simply changing the way we look at things and using a vocabulary that is more appropriate to the search for a solution can make the dialogue more pleasant and constructive.