Coaching Model: The 4 E

A Coaching Model Created by Akila Raju
(Career Coaching, INDIA)

Elements of Coaching- The 4 E Model

Alice: Would you tell me, please, which way I ought to go from here?
The Cat: That depends a good deal on where you want to get to.
Alice: I don’t much care where.
The Cat: Then it doesn’t much matter which way you go.
Alice: …so long as I get somewhere.
The Cat: Oh, you’re sure to do that, if only you walk long enough. From Lewis Carroll’s Alice In Wonderland

1. Establish

2. Explore

3. Empower

4. Evaluate

This coaching model is a generative process and helps focus on the elements of coaching which are listening, questioning, empathy, motivation and creating action.  In addition the model outlines the processes/essentials in which the coach’s interventions help the client reach a clear understanding of where they are now and where they want to be.

The Process of coaching using the 4 E Model

1. Establish

The basis of the coaching process is to establish trust and rapport with the client.

This is the foundation and the entire coaching process is founded on this strong and trusting relationship. Establishing rapport, clarity of the purpose and the process is critical.

This can be further divided in to 2 aspects

1       At the beginning of the coaching journey it is important to define and establish with the client the agreement on the overall scope and process of the relationship.

2      Establishing trust- At the core of the coaching relationship is the importance of listening bot with empathy and active listening to ensure that you demonstrate to the client that you are congruent with their needs/goals

ICF Competencies: 

• Establish the Coaching Agreement - Ability to understand what is required in the specific coaching interaction and to come to agreement with the prospective and new client about the coaching process and relationship .

• Establishing Trust and Intimacy with the Client – Ability to create a safe, supportive environment that produces on-going mutual respect and trust

2.   Explore

Coaching is generative processes in which the coach’s interventions help the client reach a clear understanding of where they are now and where they want to be.

Create Awareness – this process will focus on what the client wants to achieve. The role of the coach is to be the enabler and focus on calibrating and recalibrating the client’s responses in order to determine the right interventions which create shift in perspective.

Once this is achieved it is important to enable the client about what they what to achieve and the means to get to the goal

ICF Competencies:

• Active Listening - Ability to focus completely on what the client is saying and is not saying, to understand the meaning of what is said in the context of the client's desires, and to support client self-expression

• Powerful Questioning – Ability to ask questions that reveal the information needed for maximum benefit to the coaching relationship and the client

Direct Communication – Ability to communicate  effectively during coaching sessions, and to use language that has the greatest positive impact on the client