A Coaching Model Created by Annette Ainsbury
(Life Coach, CANADA)
About S.C.O.P.E.
Definition:
- Intention, object
- Space or opportunity for unhampered motion, activity, or thought
This coaching model outlines my personal priorities related to coaching. Coaching is a vast, rich world with numerous tools to be leveraged. For a coaching process to be successful it must include authenticity which therefore implies the coach’s personality and style play an important role. There is no one path to successful coaching – as coaches we must work within our own value set while remaining flexible to the client’s own style. S.C.O.P.E. speaks to my personal coaching style.
Support
Coaching starts (and ends) by creating a trusting and supportive environment.
The coach is also accountable to ensuring the client feels supported throughout their journey. However, the support may not always come directly from the coach; client and coach may work together to build a supportive structure around the client. They might identify people in the client’s life that can offer them the support they need and/or they might work to build a structure that supports the client in achieving their goals.
Curiosity
Being open minded and curious is not only essential to the coach but also to the client. Both need to come to each coaching session prepared to explore possibilities and uncover truths. Common tools that support an environment of curiosity include:
- active listening
- powerful questions
- reframing
- visualization
Observation
A very powerful tool that a coach will use is one of observation. They often act as a mirror for the client, summarizing, repeating back or identifying emotions that are displayed.
We often spend more time looking out at the world and not in – simply by mirroring back, a client can become aware of attitudes, behaviours or ideas they didn’t realize they had.
Positive Perspective
Coaching is successful when it leads to action. The client is most successful in achieving action when they have a positive perspective – on ourselves, our situation and others. A coach uses a variety of tools to help bring out the positive:
- model the behaviour
- reframe where needed
- visualize successfully achieving goals
Enthuse
Enthusiasm and acknowledgement are a great way to build confidence in your client. Coaches can do this by recognizing the commitments that clients make, the milestones they achieve or even their willingness to take risks and make mistakes. Some journeys we take with our clients can be long ones – the coach helps to sustain momentum by bring enthusiasm and acknowledgement to each session.
Summary
A great coaching experience must include:
- A supportive coach who is curious, openly shares observations, builds a positive perspective and is enthusiastic.
- A client who actively builds a supportive environment, is open minded and curious about alternatives, is open to feedback, has a positive attitude and is confident in their ability to achieve their goals.