A Coaching Model Created by B . K . Kulkarni
(Life Coach, INDIA)
Introduction:
My Coaching model is based on WATER FLOW model. I relate the properties of water and the nature of flow of the water to the steps of the coaching process I plan to follow.
Why Water?
Water is life line to our existence .All great civilizations developed around a water source . Without water ,there is despair i.e. how a client feels when he is stuck in a situation and cannot express and no one to talk to. A Coach is that life line to the Coachee. (I have a client who said Coaching really saved his life – this was the inspiration to my thought process of Water Flow Model).
I also call my model with the acronym “ G R E A T “ a name from properties of WATER the way I see their importance .
G (Gravity):
Water always flows from higher elevation to the lower elevation following the gravitational force. This flow is smooth and uniform. In any town water distribution system a water tank is built at an elevation (fig 1) and water gets distributed to all the dwellings with no extra effort. Hence setting the foundation, validation & willingness for coaching (especially when a sponsor is involved), water tight contracting with all ethical guidelines and commercial terms and clear explanation of the coaching process, is like the water tank at the highest level. Once this is established, the rest of the coaching process flows as smooth as WATER!!!
R (tRansparency):
One of the great properties of WATER is transparency. What you see is what you get !. It is very important that the Coach and the Coachee are transparent to each other, only then the Coaching process will be fruitful. This is like a water filter in the water distribution system which takes away all impurities and is ready for distribution. This is part of co creating client –coach relationship so that the Coachee is ready for dialogue. In this environment the Coachee feels fully secure to share his challenges and outcome as expected. At this point a clear goal and outcome can be defined and revalidated.
E (pressurE):
Water maintains a calm equilibrium and equal pressure across a surface. A healthy coaching process should be in a calm and quiet atmosphere. A meaningful discovery and shift in perspective happens when challenged in a right and conducive environment.
A (shApe):
You are aware of the crooked glass crucible experiment from your high school physics or a U shape test tube experiment (Fig 2). Water has a great property of taking the shape of its container! This is the role of the Coach, to adapt to the Coachee’s agenda. The Coachee is in the driver seat. The Coachee will commit to the action item which he is comfortable with and Coach will hold him or her responsible for the action.
T (environmenT):
Water cleanses, nourishes and supports the environment. A coaching engagement is intended for the upliftment of the Coachee. Just as WATER does so for the entire ecosystem a Coach is supposed to help with over all upliftment of the Coachee.
In summary , a model that a sets the foundation and creates a strong client – coach relationship and establishes clear goals that are validated , and conducts cohesive and transparent dialogues leading to exploration ,to shift perspective and to make the client commit to the actions . All this is done in a smooth non resistive way, just as WATER flows.(Fig 3)
