A Coaching Model Created by Bharath Mohan
(Executive coaching, INDIA)
Thus the relationship which I have found helpful is characterized by a sort of transparency on my part, in which my real feelings are evident; by an acceptance of this other person as a separate person with value in his own right; and by a deep empathic understanding which enables me to see his private world through his eyes. When these conditions are achieved, I become a companion to my client, accompanying him in the frightening search for himself, which he now feels free to undertake. Carl Rogers – On Becoming a person
Coaching is journey that the client and the coach travel together. As in most cases the strength of the journey and the avenues the client explores is primarily possible because of the relationship that gets established between the client and the coach.
To draw an analogy to the quote, the best example is the Mirror itself. Scrutinising what the mirror does to every person who approaches the mirror.
- Reflects dispassionately
- Throws back the reality to the viewer
- Reflects on line on all adjustments
- Helps spot irregularities for a longer course correction if required – like weight , body toning
At the end of a session before the mirror, the observer gets a view of the reality and definitely takes an action.
Finally, a piece from the fairy tale (Snowwhite & the seven dwarfs), which should not be forgotten.
Every time the witch asked “Mirror Mirror who is the fairest of them all”, the mirror had an answer.
Unfortunately the witch never listened to the reality.
Coaching Context
1. Meet
- Introduction, acknowledgement
The first of the critical steps. The client and the coach get to interact introduce themselves and acknowledge each other..
2. Inspire / Initiate conversation
- Make the client feel lighter
- Talk about the recent wins, positives
- Initiate the conversation on issues
This is the first step wherein the coach tries to establish a feeling of comfort for the client. Ideally the coach is expected to mirror the body language, tonality and ensure that he / she is present in a non intrusive manner.
3. Reflect on reflections
- The most crucial phase
- Mirroring happens for an effective journey
This part of the journey is enabled by the conversations, driven through open ended & non confronting questions. The strength of the journey is indicated by the amount of time the client speaks and the topics that the client covers.
4. Root causes / Reality exploration
- The client crosses the layers of symptoms to the core issues
- Presence is most critical
- Application of required tools – perceptual position, visualisation
The most critical part of the journey, where the coach helps the client uncover the underlying issues. This is the part where the client tries to uncover the limiting beliefs and fear factors.
In the steps 1 to 4, the Coach is helping the client uncovers a portion about himself / herself. The steps 3 & 4 could go back and forth till the root causes gets uncovered by the client.
5. Options
- Listing down the possible way forward
- Exploring the available avenues.
Having helped the client uncover underlying beliefs, fear factors etc., the client is in a state of complete openness to wilfully take a direction or make corrections.
6. Resolutions
- Concretising the next steps, timelines
Having decided the options and choices, the coach helps create a certain purpose and a necessity for action. The client takes this purposefulness forward by creating a structure to execute the plan.