Coaching Model: DANCE

A Coaching Model Created by Ghaya Al Barwani
(Corporate Coach, OMAN) 

Background and Context

Coaching is a DANCE with the client taking the lead and the coach following that lead. It is a voyage of discovery for both the client and the coach. Thank you for allowing me the privilege of joining you on this DANCE.

The DANCE Model is built on the foundations of the Appreciative Inquiry (AI) Model developed in 1987 article by David Cooperrider and Suresh Srivastva. The Appreciative Inquiry Model highlighted that the overuse of “problem-solving” hampered any kind of social improvement, and what was needed were new methods of inquiry that would help generate new ideas and models for how to organize.

The DANCE Model is a 5 stage framework that helps the client and the coach partner together to generate new ideas and models for the client to achieve his/her goal(s). As the name implies it is fluid and flexible allowing the client to evolve with grace.

Why DANCE?

DANCE – The word evokes fluidity, movement and moving with the rhythm of life…

DANCE reminds me as a coach to deal with the whole client; who he/she is as well as what he/she wants to achieve; to remain fluid and flexible, to allow the client to lead, to allow the client to determine the style and the pace of this DANCE.

DANCE reminds me to Deliberate, Attune myself to the client, Navigate with the client, Coach and Empower the client.

DANCE allows me to help the client Decide, be Aware, Navigate the options, Create their moves and stay Engaged.

DANCE is Discovering an Adventure and Navigating into an unknown Contemplative journey with the client in an Engaging and Empowering manner.

DANCE – Coaching Model

DANCE –Coaching Model

• A coaching relationship is a dance to the rhythm of the client’s life. A coach allows the client to lead the dance while remaining a strong partner in the dance. This requires the coach to maintain a strong, focused, non-judgmental presence with their client and really listen to what the client is saying and not saying. It requires the coach to build rapport, demonstrate understanding and empathy with the client.
• It also requires the client to open themselves up to the coach and be prepared to ‘enter’ the safe conversational space in order to be coached and lead the conversation.
• It is, therefore, a two-way conversation and relationship. A Dance…

DANCE – Coaching Model

Define the DANCE

Is it the hip-hop, the tango, the cha-cha, ballet, contemporary or something completely different?

At the start of the journey whether it is a single session or the beginning of the coaching journey, the client gets to Define the Dance. This is the “definition” stage of the AI Model. “What are we moving towards?”

Often people are so focused on the “problem” and are working to move away from the “problem.” By framing the goal towards what “we are moving towards” both client and coach are focused on a positive, pleasurable goal that naturally “pulls” the client forward. The dance and journey become more expansive and pleasurable for the client.

This is also where we define the relevance of this dance to the client. What is so important about “moving towards” this goal?

DANCE – Coaching Model

Acknowledge the DANCE

What are we doing right? What are our strengths? Admit it – “the lifts look effortless and the lines are amazing”

Having defined the goal and its relevance it is important to acknowledge the present situation, this is the “Discover” stage of the AI model where “what is already working?” is acknowledged.

This is where the coach helps the client develop “hope” through acknowledging:

• Strengths
• Achievements
• Resources
• Value

Acknowledge is an ongoing and continuous part of the DANCE with the client where the coach keeps the client affirmed, renewed, enthusiastic, and inspired by taking every opportunity to help the client define and see “what is already working?”

DANCE – Coaching Model

eNvisage the DANCE

What is our vision for this dance? What do you want to feel, hear, see, taste and smell at the end of this dance?

Having defined the dance and acknowledged the strengths it’s time to look at the future and move to the Dream stage of the AI Model and eNvisage the Dance. The coach helps the client envisage the future he/she wants for him/herself.

This is where aspirations are defined, the coach helps the client feel, hear, see, taste and smell the DANCE. The coach helps the client feel the rhythm and movement of his/her dance and life at the end of the journey, hear the music and the rhythm of the life they will be leading, see the dance in its glorious entirety as well as taste and smell the sensations of success.

This helps cement it with the client…

DANCE – Coaching Model

Create the DANCE

Let’s brainstorm the choreography? Let’s create the options to fulfil the vision of this dance….

The coach helps the client Create the Dance.

The coach supports the client in exploring the different options and ways he/she can create the future he/she envisaged.

The coach helps the client through the exploration stage by gently probing, questioning and allowing the client to create the dance’s choreography.

The coach helps the clients identify the new habits and behaviours to help create the dance and helps the client identify the structures and strategies to support them.

DANCE – Coaching Model

achievE the DANCE

Now – the choreography and the steps of the dance…

The coach helps the client achievE the Dance by helping define the actions steps to be taken to achieve.

• What can the client start/ stop doing today?
• What/ who will support their commitment to action?
• How will these actions and learning support the client’s define goals?
• How will the client stay accountable for achieving the goal?

My Coaching Style – DANCE Coaching Model

• As a coach, I feel privileged to be my client’s dance partner. I follow the client’s lead and allow them to decide the direction that they want to take on this dance.
• Coaching is a journey of deep and powerful transformation; my clients come to me looking for support and solutions and I help them find them in themselves; that is where they have always been.

Elements of a successful coaching/client relationship – DANCE

• D – the session is Devoted to you to be true to yourself when you are with your coach
• A – Allow yourself to be challenged – grace is in dance is achieved through stretching…
• N – uNderstand this is a journey; allow your self-time to reflect
• C – Celebrate every success and every learning opportunity
• E – End is achieved…