Coaching Model: EnSURE

At the beginning of my coaching experience, I used the GROW (Goal – Reality-Options-Wrap) model. I have used the overall structuring of that model. I have included elements of Appreciative Inquiry into my model. Appreciative Inquiry (AI) is a way of thinking, seeing and acting for powerful, purposeful change. AI was Initially designed to be an OD tool for bringing in large organizational changes. I combined the two into my own model of coaching . It is called EnSURE. This covers the entire process of coaching and unlike most traditional models includes Ethics and negotiation as well.

EnSURE

En – Ethics & negotiating the coaching agreement

S – Snapshot of the moment.

U –  Understand the reality.

R – Reflective conversation

E – Executing the plan

EnSURE can be compared to the traffic lights . Coaching session is like traffic which when  moving smoothly gets you to your destination quickly. Otherwise there could  be jams and obstacles which impede the flow. Traffic signals provide for continuous or nearly continuous movement of traffic EnSURE is aimed at maintaining the smooth flow of a coaching session.

En – Ethics and Negotiated agreement.

This is similar to the process which any driver would go through .

Acquiring  license and vehicle documents with an understanding of the basic rules of driving and the law of the land and sharing the road with others on the road.

This is where the ICF ethics as it concerns the client is explained and a clear agreement reached on the terms of coaching.

Elements in negotiation stage

This has to happen before the first session take place and can be revisited every session to see whether contractual understanding need  be changed.

• Explaining the philosophy of coaching to the client as well as the sponsor , if there is one.
• Number of sessions planned
• Payment terms and mode and due dates.
• Transportation costs/communication costs
• Cancellation policies

S –  Snapshots

Knowing the person and their background and their issues on hand as they stand.

And understanding the reality in an objective manner, Understanding the reality of what is surrounding you.

This would be part of the goal setting phase of coaching where  the objectives of the session are set keeping the snapshot  of the present in mind.

AI was Initially designed to be an OD tool for bringing in large organizational changes.

Snapshots

The snapshots could be composed by answers to:

• What is the area of coaching agreed?
• What is the present reality of that issue?
• What is the goal that the client wants to achieve?
• What is the time frame by when the client wants to achieve this goal?
• What end state would confirm that he has overcome them?

U – Understanding