As we coach others or simply help people solve problems, it’s easy to over complicate the situation or get distracted by too many options.

Use the 3P’s to focus your conversations and questions you ask.

Consider how you can focus in on the Project the person is talking about or struggling with. This is where technical or strategic conversations happen.

Ask questions about the Person or people involved in the situation and help the other person see how to impact the relationship.

Challenge the person to modify their Patterns in life to get the outcome they desire.

Rather than just dance around the complaining or the struggle, get specific and use one of the 3P’s to help you get there.

Of course anything we do in coaching someone else, we should apply to ourselves. Find ways to use the 3P’s to help yourself solve problems and focus in on resolutions.

I first read about the 3P’s from Michael Bungay Stainer in his book The Coaching Habit. I’ve written more about The Coaching Habit on my blog HERE.