A Coaching Model Created by Kagunda Chege
(Corporate & Leadership Coach, KENYA)
Introduction
The A2A Coaching model focuses on the two pillars of effective coaching: Awareness and Action. A2A is short form for “Awareness to Action” which implies that the coach works with the client in seeking to raise the level of self-awareness and eventually guiding the client to define and commit to the actions necessary to bring change.
The model is founded on the belief that:
- Self-awareness is empowering and leads people to desire change
- A strong vision of the future inspires one to move forward by taking appropriate actions
- Progress, however small, creates an upward spiral of motivation; hence the need to leave the client in a state of action
The Model
The model is diagrammatically represented below.
Space of Change & Development
Explore Envision Enthuse
The model is a three-stage process that involves Exploring, Envisioning, and Enthusing.
A. Explore
This stage incorporates the creating a safe space for the client, establishing the subject matter, and asking questions to drill down to the real issue. The assumptions here are that the client needs to be relaxed in order to open up, reflect, and think through to solutions.
Another assumption is that by helping the client identify their real issue – creating awareness – the client is empowered to discover solutions. This awareness should open up the space of change, leaving the client with more clarity to define the desired change.
B. Envision
Once there is clarity on what change needs to happen, the next stage is focusing the client on finding a workable solution. Through a process of questioning that focuses the client on the desired future, the coach helps the client create a vivid picture of that future. The goal is to help the client visualize the implemented solution in such a way that (s)he is captivated by it creating a strong desire for action.
C. Enthuse
In this last stage, the coach helps the client define the specific actions necessary to bring about the needed change. The coach then motivates the client by helping the client to see inherent capacity, previous experiences that show the client can do it, and an expression of belief in the client. Any action, any slight progress is acknowledged.
The Process
The model is executed through a seven step process. Whereas each step is important, not all the steps will be employed in every coaching session, and the steps will not necessarily be distinct in execution – they may overlap in certain areas.
The steps are:
1. Preliminaries
- Welcome
- Review of previous week
- Acknowledgement
2. Explore the issue
- Establish topic of discussion
- Seek clarification
- Focus the issue
3. Enhance self-awareness
- Shift perspective – separate issue from person
- Raise level of discomfort
4. Co-define desired results
- Define desired state
5. Envision
- Visualize end state
- Articulate benefits
6. Co-define necessary action
- Define action steps
- Clarify anticipated outcomes
7. Close
- Review action points
- Establish what the key take-away for the client is from the session