This model reflects my vision of professional coaching and the way I commit to practising.
Shifts: The coach guides clients through positive transformations and transitional phases. Through the exploratory nature of coaching, clients often undergo shifts across various dimensions including: perspectives, beliefs, mindsets, behaviours, goals, feelings, and energy levels. Leveraging the brain’s neuroplasticity, coaching fosters the development of new neural pathways, which are shaped by novel and repeated thoughts, behaviours, and emotions. By prompting repeated introspection and experimentation, coaching provides space for self-discovery and learning. Thereby the process can broaden perspectives, shed light on blind spots and untapped potentials, and open up new possibilities. Consequently, coaching cultivates heightened clarity, expansiveness, and empowerment, facilitating a transformation in both “being” and “doing”.
Happiness : In most coaching partnerships, there’s an underlying quest, whether direct or indirect, for happiness, well-being, or fulfilment in life and work. This pursuit may involve sustaining existing happiness or seeking to enhance it further. Understandably, each client’s conception of happiness is unique and evolves over time. Individuals typically seek coaching when they sense a need for change in their lives, whether internal or external. A fundamental aspect of coaching lies in recognising and celebrating both major milestones and smaller achievements along the way, harnessing celebration as a powerful motivator.
Agency : Central to coaching is the aim for the client to develop a profound sense of agency, which can be defined as perceiving oneself as having influence over one’s actions, choices, and surroundings. Agency underscores the subjective experience of empowerment and autonomy. Within the coaching dynamic, the client assumes responsibility for both the journey and the outcomes, while the coach serves as a guide and thinking partner rather than a counsellor. The coach assists clients in articulating their own thoughts and decisions, refraining from offering advice or interpretations. In rare instances where explicit permission is granted by the client, the coach may share information in direct communication. The coach mirrors back the client’s strengths, resources, and accomplishments, while also highlighting their ability to navigate obstacles and interferences, aiming to foster the client’s sense of agency.
Personalised : Every coaching process is inherently unique, as it unfolds from a dynamic encounter and partnership between two individuals. While coaching applies ethical standards, structured processes, and core competencies, the interplay between coach and client, as well as the tools employed, vary from one interaction to another. Each coaching experience is tailor-made and personalised, embracing the client’s distinct context, aspirations, personality, cognitive style, and pace. This individualised approach renders coaching a co-creative process, with the client as the primary architect of their growth. Coaching can encompass problem-solving (transactional coaching) and/or holistic personal development (transformational coaching). Through observation, reflective feedback, and powerful questioning, the coach facilitates the client’s self-awareness and self-discovery, attending to both verbal and non-verbal cues, including somatic sensations. The depth of exploration in coaching depends on the client’s readiness and willingness for introspection as well as the quality of the coaching relationship, characterised by elements such as safety, trust, and non-judgment. By delving into the individual, beyond immediate challenges, coaching fosters sustainable change, as clients gain insights into themselves and cultivate a heightened sense of agency applicable across diverse life contexts.
Emotions: Emotions are welcome in the coaching space. Emotions are considered a useful tool for self-exploration and motivation, intricately intertwined with rational thoughts and decision-making. The coach approaches emotions with care and sensitivity, assisting the client in identifying and effectively managing their emotions, rather than unpacking or analysing them as in therapy. Through this supportive approach, coaching contributes to nurturing emotional intelligence, stability, confidence and resilience.
