Slides: How does Semi-directive Coaching work?

How does Semi-directive Coaching work?

Three things coaches do: 

1. Help client figure out what they want to do (decision) 

2. Help client figure out how to do what they want to do (plan) 

3. Help client do what they plan to do (management)


Helping the client figure out what they want to do (decision)

In Semi-directive coaching this has already been decided by the coach (i.e. what he/she is offering or by the client who is coming to a particular coach because her/she is an expert in particular skill.

For example

As a coach I might be interested in offering a class on parenting, marriage, or communication. The client would then take my class because this is an area that he/she is looking to improve in.

For example

Or as a client I may seek out a specific coach because that coach is an expert in a specific area that I am interested in being coached.

The directive part - Attitudes

“I am somebody” attitude – Psalms 139:13,14 You made all the delicate,

inner parts of my body and knit them together in my mother's womb.

Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex! It is amazing to think about. Your workmanship is marvelous‑‑ and how well I know it.

The directive part - Attitudes

“I am needed” attitude

1 Corinthians 12:27 Now here is what I am trying to say: All of you together are the one body of Christ, and each one of you is a separate and necessary part of it.

The directive part - Attitudes


“I can do it” attitude

Mark 9:23 "If you can?" said Jesus. “Everything is possible for him who believes.”

The directive part - Attitudes


“I am not the center” attitude

Luke 9:23 Then he (Jesus) said to them all: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me. not turn from it."

The directive part - skills


The skill of Self-discipline Proverbs 20:3 SomeNmes it takes a painful experience to make us change our ways.

The directive part - skills


The Skill of Communica/on Ephesians 6:4 And now a word to you parents. Don't keep on scolding and nagging your children, making them angry and resentful. Rather, bring them up with the loving discipline the Lord himself approves, with suggestions and godly advice.

The directive part - skills


The Skill of Responsibility 2 Thessalonians 3:10 For even when we were with

you, we gave you this rule:

“If a man will not work, he shall not eat.”

The directive part - skills


The Skill of Judgment Proverbs 3:13 The man who knows right from wrong and has good judgment and common sense is happier than the man who is immensely rich! For such wisdom is far more valuable than precious jewels.

Nothing else compares with it.

The mixing in the non-directive


– One way to add a little non-directive into a teaching situation is to ask a lot of questions.

For example:


“I am somebody” attitude – Psalms 139:13,14 You made all the delicate,

inner parts of my body and knit them together in my mother's womb.

Thank you for making me

so wonderfully complex! It is amazing to think about. Your workmanship is marvelous‑‑ and how well I know it.

For example:

  1. How does Psalm 139 relate to parenting?
  2. What did your parents do to make you feel like you were somebody?
  3. What are you positively doing right now to give your kids a sense of self-worth?
  4. What are you doing or not doing that hurts your kid's self-worth?

For example:

You can just download a bunch of information (totally directive) or you can get your clients to be a part of the information part of the semi- directive coaching.


Last modified: Monday, February 13, 2023, 11:33 AM