How to Coach Yourself and Others Techniques For Coaching | Page 52

3.3 HERON’S
INTERVENTION

CATEGORIES OF

John Heron (1986) defines six major styles of intervention
that we can use to increase the effectiveness of our
communication skills in coaching relationships.
In the list below, the interventions are described according
to their intention rather than content. Pay attention to
which of these styles of intervention you use most and least
in your own communication. Notice whether you use some
more than others.
AUTHORITATIVE INTERVENTIONS
1 Prescriptive: A prescriptive intervention seeks to direct
the behaviour of the patient/colleague, usually behaviour
that is outside of the coach / coachee relationship.
For example – ”I would like you to discuss this issue with
your senior colleagues”
2 Informative: An informative intervention seeks to
impart knowledge, information and meaning to the other
person
For example – “Grants are often made available
for this type of work”
3 Confronting: A confronting intervention seeks to raise
the aw areness of the coachee about some limiting
attitude or behaviour of which he/she is relatively
unaware.
For example – “I notice this is the third time we have
talked about this – and you have still not been able to act
– I wonder what is going on?”

360