A Coaching Model Created by Eva Schwarz
(Men in Transition, ISRAEL)
Facilitator (Originating in the Latin Facili = Easy): A person or thing that makes an action or process easy or easier.
ICF defines coaching as partnering with clients in a thought-provoking and creative process that inspires them to maximize their personal and professional potential.
A coach facilitates the exploration of needs, motivations, desires, skills, and thought processes to assist the individual in making real, lasting change.
- Facilitators ask questions to assist clients in their own thought process
- Facilitators listen and observe to better understand the client’s perspective
- Facilitators support things to happen.
Starting my coach training journey, I thought about who I am as a coach. With time, it became clear to me that the coach is a Facilitator and I started to develop the Coaching Model based on that. What helped me in the way I, each evening, use a few minutes before going to bed to reflect upon the different encounters, discussions, presentations, etc. the day brought and ask myself:
- Were the Fundamentals clear?
- Was I Creative enough in my thoughts & process?
- Did I keep my Integrity?
Fundamentals:
Before the first coaching session, a contract needs to be signed. It is not enough to send the potential client the contract for reading and signing together with the ICF Code of Ethics. During a preliminary call or meeting the coach must ensure that the Fundamentals are 100% clear:
- The expectations of the relationship between coach & client
- The process
- The fees
A confusion between, coaching and mentoring, counseling, consultation, and therapy often clouds the client’s anticipation.
The foundation for Trust and Intimacy between coach and client should be underway as a basis for a successful relationship.
Agreement:
When the Fundamentals are clear and the first session starts, Establishing the Coaching Agreement needs to take place.
- By Active Listening understanding what is in the client's heart
- What the client wants to explore
- What is important about its outcome and how it will look and feel
(Remembering that that coach follows the client, and the agreement can be changed during the session).
Creativity:
When the Agreement is settled it’s time to start the creative part of coaching. Powerful Questioning with creative open-ended questions the coach challenge the client’s assumptions. Assisting in moving the client towards the goal.
Intensity:
The coach needs, during the whole process, to show concentration, warmth, and passion.
Learning:
At the end of the session:
- Has there been a Learning for the client?
- What can the client take with them from the session?
- How can the client use this learning in the bigger picture?
After the session:
- Has there been a Learning for the coach?
- What were three things said which assisted the client toward their goal?
- What were the three things said which can be improved upon?
Integrity:
Did I as a coach adhere to all ICF Core Competencies and Related Behaviors?
Sources
English by Oxford Dictionaries
https://en.oxforddictionaries.com/definition/facilitator
ICF, the Gold Standard in Coaching | Read About ICF.
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