One of the most powerful concepts in co-active coaching (the type of executive coaching Jane and I are trained in) is “Yes, No or Counteroffer”: Whenever we make a request of our coachee (i.e. we ask the coachee to do something and will hold her accountable for it) she has the opportunity to accept, decline or make a counteroffer.
The power of this seemingly simple idea lies in the fact that you have to make a decision. I won’t let you off the hook — something we all tend to do way to often in life. It’s perfectly fine to decline — but it means you have to make an active choice. No wavering, no “let me think about it”, no “let’s talk about this later”. Yes, No or Counteroffer.
I’m using this concept in all kinds of interactions and all the time now — it’s incredibly powerful. Try it out!
P.S. You can say yes, no or make a counteroffer to my request to try it out. Just don’t wave it away. :)