How to Coach Yourself and Others Empowering Coaching And Crisis Interventions | Page 58

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In empowerment coaching, the coach is advised not to use questions that ask or imply “why.” Dewdney and
Michell advised against excessive use of “why” questions in the reference interview. They explained that the
librarian and patron may view a “why” question differently. The librarian may be looking for a motivation for
the patron’s query in order to give a more complete or relevant answer, but the patron may view the question as
suspicious, intrusive or confusing. Dewdney and Michell further suggested that these feelings on the part of the
patron may lead to hostility and a breakdown of the reference transaction. There is, however, an additional
reason to avoid the use of “why” questions with (sexual) assault survivors. When asking “why,” one is looking
for a reason or motivation. If a reference librarian were to say “why are you looking for information on sexual
assault coaching?” a survivor would be faced with two choices: reveal sensitive information or lie. No one
should be forced into that dilemma by someone who purportedly is serving her. Additionally, a self-revelation
might lead to questions about the abusive event or situation. When one asks a question like “why did he rape
you?” the question implies that he must have had a reason, and this reason may be the responsibility of the
victim. It is imperative that anyone in a service role, whether librarian, coach or even friend, avoid “why”
questions that may sound like victim blaming.
Empowerment in the context of counselling has been defined as follows:
Empowerment is the process by which people, organizations, or groups who are powerless or marginalized:
(a) become aware of the power dynamics at work in their life context,
(b) develop the skills and capacity for gaining some reasonable control over their lives,
(c) which they exercise, without infringing upon the rights of others, and
(d) which coincides with supporting the empowerment of others in their community. (McWhirter)
(a) In fact, powerful systemic and structural influences including racism, sexism, hetero-sexism, inaccessible
environments, and ageism may be reflected within the counselling relationship as well, thus, the counsellors
critical awareness of power dynamics within the counselling relationship and in the client's larger social context
is prerequisite to facilitation of client awareness.
(b) Develop the skills and capacity for gaining some reasonable control over their lives refers to skill acquisition
as well as the motivation and self-efficacy expectations required to exercise those skills. Counsellors often play
an important role in facilitating the acquisition of new skills. It is important to keep in mind, however, that
counsellors are often trained in skill building exercises rooted in European American values, worldviews, and
norms. Thus the nature of each skill, as well as the manner and context in which the skill is practiced, must be
shaped in accord with the clients concerns as well as other salient client characteristics such as personal and
sociopolitical history, culture, interpersonal style, level of acculturation, and preferences. Further, counsellors
must not overlook the vital resources with which the client enters the counselling relationship: specific coping
mechanisms, attitudes, knowledge, and experiences that sustained the client through life thus far.
(c) Which they exercise without infringing upon the rights of others addresses the fundamental nature of
empowerment as integrative power or "power with others" (Hagberg, 1984) rather than power over others, or
power "to do to" others. The exercise of skills that violate the human rights of others is fundamentally
incompatible with empowerment.
(d) Coinciding with supporting the empowerment of others in their community