A Coaching Model Created by Lalitha Prasad
(Executive Coach, INDIA)
Introduction
This model is inspired by systems thinking. Systems thinking is a discipline that promotes holistic thinking. A system consists of many parts, all of which must work together in a coordinated manner to achieve its purpose. Examples of systems include human body, ecological systems, mechanical systems, and so on.
A system has emergent properties which can not be understood by analysis alone. For example, just by understanding the properties of the digestive system or nervous system, one can not understand the behavior of a human being. A system has a boundary through which it interacts with the environment.
The environment has influence over the behavior of the system. A coaching model must help an individual discover his potential and support him to realize it.
The 5D coaching model is targeted towards executive coaching. It has 5 D’s in it, namely:
- Discover
- Diagnose
- Design
- Develop
- Deploy
These 5D’s are elaborated further below.
- Discover
This step is the beginning of the coaching journey. The client or his organization decides that there is scope for the individual to go to a higher level of performance. The coach and the client sit together to discover the current state and the realizable potential. This step answers the question
what is it that the client wants to achieve.
Ideally the client should choose at least three goals. If the client's organization is the sponsor for the coaching, then their buy-in may be required. The suggested process is to let the client choose the goals and discuss them with his management.