A Coaching Model Created by Augustine John Serrao
(Executive Coaching, INDIA)
My hope is to leave the world a bit better than when I got here. Jim Henson
This quote epitomizes my quest as a coach. Hope is forward looking. To quote Romans 8:24-25 in the Bible
For in hope we have been saved, but hope that is seen is not hope; for why does one also hope for what he sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, with perseverance we wait eagerly for it.
Faith, Hope and Love are the foundation of my Christian beliefs and in many ways, the HOPE Coaching model is inspired by the tenets of the Bible.
May it never be said of me as I enter the hallowed portals of coaching “All hope abandon, ye who enter here! Dante Alighieri. I say this in light hearted humourJ.
I have also been fascinated by minimalism and simplicity. I wanted the coaching model to be simple to remember, easy to implement and flexible to deal with changing situations. I have been fascinated by Sir John Whitmore’s GROW model and you will see many similarities to mine.
H – Happenings
O – Opportunities
P – Problems
E – Exploration & Execution
H – Happenings
This part of the model is to determine with the client what they would like to have ‘happen’ in the coaching conversation. This could take the form of a:
- Goal
- Outcome
- Explore
As a Client
It focuses on happenings – these happenings could be in the form of goals, outcomes, specific results etc. These happenings could even be in the form of
I just want to talk about this although I am not sure where this would take me by the end of the session – can we just talk please?.
By terming them as “Happenings” instead of “Goals” or “Outcomes” you allow your Client to be in charge of the “Happenings” completely and fully and own them. The goal is eventually to get enough clarity for the Client to define the outcome clearly.
As a Coach
It allows me space to explore with the client what they want to happen during the session. The goal could be specific or the time spent could be used to eventually gain clarity for a goal or outcome.
Coaching application
Q1 – What would you want happen during our time together?
Q2 – What kind of outcomes do you see by the end of our session?
Q3 – What is the goal you seek?
Q4 – What is your picture of success when we reach the end of our agreed time together?
I have put ‘Happenings’ in Red to give me a color analogy that says I need to stop and first understand what the client really wants. The ‘Happenings’ part is congruent with Sir John Whitmore’s ‘Goal’ in his GROW model.
O – Opportunities
As we are having the conversation, we are exploring opportunities as they exist or as we want to co-create for the future. It is an opportunity for the client to explore different prospects. Opportunities is also examining the current reality to see if some exist. If they don’t then we explore together for the future.
As a Client
Opportunities suggest openings, breaks or prospects. They help to expand the client’s thinking instead of thinking of options for the specific issue in hand.
As a Coach
It helps to expand my line of questioning that can take the client deeper into the different opportunities s(h)e can delve into.
Coaching application
Q1 – Could you please describe the situation?
Q2 – Could you please tell me what is happening?
Q3 – Could you please describe what kind of opportunities you see in this?
Q4 – For this situation what are the alternatives? Please describe them.
I have put ‘Opportunities’ in Green to give me a color analogy that says I need to fruitfully explore the reality and opportunities. Green is symbolic of nature which is abundant in its creativity.
The ‘Opportunities’ part is similar to both the ‘Reality’ and the ‘Options’ part in Sir John Whitmore’s GROW model where exploration is done both in terms of reality and alternatives.
P – Problems
For each opportunity we could potentially explore what the problems are. This is a way to clarify in the client’s mind what would work and what would potentially be an issue.
