A Coaching Model Created by Eva Schwarz
(Men in Transition, ISRAEL)
Facilitator (Originating in the Latin Facili = Easy): A person or thing that makes an action or process easy or easier.
ICF defines coaching as partnering with clients in a thought-provoking and creative process that inspires them to maximize their personal and professional potential.
A coach facilitates the exploration of needs, motivations, desires, skills and thought processes to assist the individual in making real, lasting change.
Facilitators ask questions to assist clients in their own thought process
Facilitators listen and observe to better understand the client’s perspective
Facilitators support things to happen.
Starting my coach training journey, I thought about who I am as a coach. With time, it became clear to me that the coach is a Facilitator and I started to develop the Coaching Model based on that. What helped me is the way I, each evening, use a few minutes before going to bed to reflect upon the different encounters, discussions, presentations etc. the day brought and ask myself:
- Were the Fundamentals clear?
- Was I Creative enough in my thoughts & process?
- Did I keep my Integrity?
Fundamentals:
Before the first coaching session a contract needs to be signed. It is not enough to send the potential client the contract for reading and signing together with the ICF Code of Ethics. During a preliminary call or meeting the coach must ensure that the Fundamentals are 100% clear:
- The expectations of the relationship between coach & client
- The process
- The fees
A confusion between, coaching and mentoring, counseling, consultation and therapy often clouds the client’s anticipation.
The foundation for Trust and Intimacy between coach and client should be under way as a basis for a successful relationship.
Agreement:
When the Fundamentals are clear and the first session starts, Establishing the Coaching Agreement needs to take place.
- By Active Listening understanding what is in the client's heart
- What the client wants to explore
- What is important about its outcome and how it will look and feel
(Remembering that that coach follows the client, and the agreement can be changed during the session).
Creativity:
When the Agreement is settled it’s time to start the creative part of coaching. Powerful Questioning with creative open ended questions the coach challenge the client’s assumptions. Assisting in moving the client towards the goal.
Intensity:
The coach needs, during the whole process, to show concentration, warmth and passion.
Learning:
At the end of the session:
- Has there been a Learning for the client?
- What can the client take with them from the session?
- How can the client use this learning in the bigger picture?
After the session:
- Has there been a Learning for the coach?
- What were three things said which assisted the client toward their goal?
- What were the three things said which can be improved upon?
Integrity:
Did I as a coach adhere to all ICF Core Competencies and Related Behaviors?
Sources
English by Oxford Dictionaries
https://en.oxforddictionaries.com/definition/facilitator
ICF, the Gold Standard in Coaching | Read About ICF.
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