Let me take you through my model for with more details.
2. Description of “The GREAT Model”:
First let me explain what the complete picture means or what it represents from the complete model perspective.
As seen from the below picture “The GREAT Model” is designed using many steps. There are two parts in the picture.
You can see the steps climbing up from the picture. Also you can see an arrow which is moving upwards.
The whole purpose of Coaching is to elevate the client from his current state to a newer state which is a better position. I want to capture the same in my model. Also the multiple steps between the start and end show that this process is not a one step or single stage one, but it consists of multiple stages / steps / layers.
The small trainable at the end of each horizontal line / stage represent a check point or a review of the engagement between the client and the coach to see how are they doing.
Let me explain the two smileys with an upward arrow with dots in detail here. The sad smiley represents the initial stage of the client who wants to be coached. The sad smiley tells the mood of the client – sad, sober, dull, downwards, etc.
When the sad client goes through The GREAT model it helps the client to reach the happy smiley position which represent – joy, bright, happy, upward, bright, etc.
The dots in that upward arrow mention that it is not single stage process but it consists of multiple stages / steps / layers. The arrow is shown upwards as it means the client will be in a better position after going through the GREAT Model.
3. The GREAT Model – Explained:
Now let me explain the GREAT Model more detail.
I have kept the GREAT model in line with the process we follow as part of the classic coaching model. Each letter from the “GREAT” has some meaning and it represent a set of actions to be taken at that stage / level
Stage – G: [Greeting / Celebration]
In this stage the following actions / tasks takes place between the Client and the Coach. It is not necessary that the below mentioned only needs to be done.
- Greeting of the Client and the Coach
- Discovery session / chemistry session / ice breaking session
- Setting the stage / make the client comfortable / confidentiality
Stage – R: [Respect]
In this stage the following actions / tasks takes place between the Client and the Coach:
- Respect the client. This is very important because at this stage the client might have started sharing his problem / concern / help area.
- As a coach we have to keep in our mind that “I always respect my client for whatever he is”. I feel this is very important because this creates a lot of empathy towards the client
- The client and coach have multiple rounds of questions to get the clarity of the situation and the coaching context.
Stage – E: [Evolve Ideas]
In this stage the following actions / tasks takes place between the Client and the Coach:
- Now since the client shared his problem / concern / help area the client and coach gets into this probing session where the coach helps the client to evolve his ideas.
- A great coach should help the client to evolve his ideas (more than one) and helps the client to navigate through them to find the answer which works for him.
Stage – A: [Actions & Outcome]
In this stage the following actions / tasks takes place between the Client and the Coach:
- When the client and coach enter this stage, usually the client has analyzed the different options he identified in his earlier stage.
- It is very important for the coach to ask the client to come up with the a set of action items which is going to help client to solve his problem / concern
- Without concrete action items identified and agreed by the client himself the whole exercise will be of no use. It is more of just talking and no actions.
Stage – T: [Thanking]
In this stage the following actions / tasks takes place between the Client and the Coach:
- This stage is basically the ending stage / wrap up stage where the coach should thank the client for the opportunity provided to him by the client.
- The follow up session / next session date and time will be discussed to bring the current session closure.
4. Conclusion:
As a Coach I want to conclude my model with the following quote:
You cannot teach a man anything. You can only help him discover it within himself. Galileo Galilei