Coaching Model: R.E.G.A.L

A Coaching Model Created by Cheria Subash
(Life/Executive Coaching, INDIA)

Introduction:

‘Models’…. What my mind conjures up is models of cars, trucks, buses and other vehicles. Blame it on the fact I have spent my entire professional life, so far at least, financing these ‘retail assets’.

There are multiple coaching models already in use. Here is my proposed coaching model:

The proposed Coaching Model is R.E.G.A.L.

The visual is inspired partly by Abraham Maslow’s hierarchy of needs. But more, the personal experience of awe, admiration and absolute astonishment when I stood near the Pyramids of Giza, Egypt. They built these marvels much before architecture and construction engineering had ‘evolved’!

Regal stands for royal, imperial, stately, noble, grandeur, majestic, magnificent, ceremonial.

The objective of any coaching exercise should be ‘regal’, and holistic. Not transactional or ceremonial. Just as we say man is a social animal and cannot live in isolation, man/woman cannot be ‘seen in isolation’. He/she wears multiple hats. With each of the roles, comes emotions, issues, problems, opportunities, et al. Through coaching, we try to identify and overcome some deep-rooted cause and move on to realize the unlimited human potential.

Disclaimer:

Regal Unlimited is the name of my boutique consultancy firm. Through Coaching (Executive, Transformational, Life & Spiritual) and Management Consultancy, we facilitate our clients, organized and individuals, to realize their true, unlimited potential.

Target Audience:

This model as such has been developed keeping in mind the target audience.

1. Much of disconnect happens at work, especially the organized variety. Hence the primary target audience for coaching will be people working with corporate and,
2. People from organized non-corporate, need-based.

At corporate level, the focus is to maximize shareholder’s wealth, and variants thereof. With the evolution of corporate world over the last few decades for various areas of human endeavor at times, they work in conflict with larger good, community. Hence, need for Coaching.

Also ‘every coaching initiative becomes a life-coaching in its third session’. At a philosophical or spiritual level, I am inspired by the quote:

We are not human beings on a spiritual journey, but spiritual beings on a human journey.

The focus is not to spiritualise every coaching assignment, but using the simple and practical philosophical practices for excellence in all endeavours

Stage 1: Reality Check, Resistance, Reading, Recognise Current Status…

According to an old saying, ‘awareness of current status is beginning of wisdom’. While more often we are unaware of the problems/opportunities and causes thereof, at times we tend to ignore the indications and few obvious clues. The moment we are able to pin-point the problem areas or opportunities to work upon, it opens up a new world itself. This ‘Self Awareness’ forms the basis of the whole coaching experience.

A coach has an important activity at this Chemistry-stage, which comprises of following steps:

• Greeting/ Celebrating /Acknowledgement:

Basic introduction, exchange of pleasantries to make the client comfortable. This rapport-building is a critical foundation to the relationship.

• Confidentiality:

It should be based on trust and assured of absolute confidentiality. This would enable the client to open up and help the coach to go deeper into the realms where lies the core of the problem being discussed

• Client’s Issues:

It is only at this stage the coach can specifically encourage the client to discuss the issue which needs to be addressed to.

• Client’s Expectation of Outcome:

This clarity is critical to the road ahead, in the journey together, for coach & client.

Stage 2: Enquire/Explore/Envision:

This stage forms the core of the coaching process, when the issue/area of opportunity is discussed through the multi-faceted Communication process:

Active Listening: Majority of time (Pareto Principle, a great yard stick!) is spent by client in active listening.

• The questions, the direction of discussion, are through active listening, with genuine empathy, care and desire to facilitate.
• This will enable the coach to practice ‘here & now’ in totality.
• Based on the client’s sharing of deep thoughts, feelings and emotions, the coach will get to ask appropriate questions.

1. As part of the interaction, questions will assume a significant importance
2. Wherever clarity required, further questioning, para-phrasing and reframing are resorted to.
3. This communication process will enable the client to vocalize his thoughts, questions, concerns, constraints, emotions, et al.

A lot of stress at this stage on skills such as Active Listening and Powerful Questioning, comparable to ‘Yin & Yang’. The client always knows more about himself than the coach. The power of silence can not be over-emphasized here.

Stage 3: Goal Setting/Gear Up/Go Ahead:

At this stage, the original expectation of the client and the outcome so far based on interaction are re-visited. Through the second stage, the client may have improved awareness of the root-cause of the problem, which he may be willing to work upon with the coach.

• The coach may resort to clarifying, challenging the client
• Based on the response, the coach may be able to elicit options and discuss further.
• The step should further enable the client to improve self awareness

The ‘ go ahead’ is to overcome the resistance to move, to break the barrier causing the resistance to move ahead.

There are multiple tools within the repertoire of the Coach to facilitate this part of the model:

• Life Wheel is a tool which is very popular and powerful, especially among senior managers in corporate.
• A simple, but powerful tool, is a visualization exercise. To guide the client to visualize where he want to be and how he feels, at that stage, help him to connect with that state of mind.
• Perceptual Vision is another tool which enables the client to see different perspective. We often fail to see other’s point of view. Through this the coachee gets to see another person’s view (who is part of the problem/opportunity) and also a third person, ‘a fly on wall’, (who has no stake or role in  it)
• Great to GOOD, yet another tool that would be used, when needed (http://forum.icoachacademy.com/discussion/119503/great-vs-good/p1)

Stage 4: Action:

Based on interaction(s) so far, the coach will be able to guide client, through continued questioning /clarifying /reframing, a proposed framework for action ahead. At the first stage, the client would have clarity on the coaching process as being purely facilitation, not prescriptive.

Based on the action points evolved out of discussion, the client needs to summarise regarding the way forward. Very often we know what we need to do. But that awareness does not get translated into action, which resists the changes or positive outcome.

The coach will guide client to get S.M.A.R.T action plan. The coach at this phase may propose a follow up discussion, at a mutually convenient future date. The client taking upon himself to act upon the thoughts and ideas will enable him to move closer to the desired outcome of the exercise.

Stage 5: Light/Letting Go/Live it:

Usually the solution to the most complicated issues lie in simple actions. The light at the end of the exercise might be like letting go, steps within timelines leading up to live, fully.

The coach will at this stage sensitize the client on the positive outcomes. What would the client feel once the stage achieved. What positive impact it would have on his frame of mind (celebration, for example). These will prod the client to stick to the plan of action.

The coach may also offer to help the client and also schedule a follow up discussion to ensure the client stays on board.

Conclusion:

A coach should try to convert his passion, to help others, through facilitation, to practice.

Coaching is a beautiful relationship. Coach should never try to be a ‘great’/’perfect’ coach, thus working from the head.

No client is un-coachable, on stand-alone basis. But if the coach finds a coachee un-coachable or in need of professional help, the coach should accept it with humility.

Client is always, truly, the King.

It is prudent to seek feedback form the coachee.

Coaching is a journey for the coach, as well as the client. The coach should continuously be aware of the learning process, a life-long opportunity and necessity.