REALITY QUESTIONS:
- What is happening at the moment?
- Who is involved? (directly and indirectly)
- What happens to you and how do you feel?
- What happens to the others directly involved?
- What is their perception of the situation?
- What have you done so far?
- What effect did that have?
- Where have you been on a scale of 1-10?
By using the various means of communication, viz. listening, reframing and questioning, the Coach also enables the Coachee to explore options that will take them closer to their goals. This is the phase where their emotions and feelings need to be deeply understood. Questions that help in exploring options are –
OPTION QUESTIONS:
- What could you do to change the situation?
- Have you been in similar circumstances? If so what did you see work?
- Who might be able to help you?
- What if you had (more time, less time, power, money, magic wand)?
- If you knew it would work...what would you do?
- What is the right thing to do?
- What is the most courageous step to take?
- If the constraints were removed what would you do?
- What would a wise old friend suggest?
MOVE FORWARD
Once the options are clearly established , the client is now ready to move forward by committing and using their willpower to establish a specifc action plan with time lines.
Thus during this stage, the Coach using various tools like visualisation, reframing perspectives creates awareness in the Coachee of the actions that they need to commit to and take in order to reach their goals / outcome. The Coach may, if the Coachee so desires, monitor and enable the implementation of the action initiatives. The powerful questions the Coach could use in this stage are –
- What are the next steps?
- Will this address your goal?
- Precisely when will you take them?
- What will it cost you if you don’t take action?
- What will you gain if you do take action?
- What might get in the way?
- What might get in the way?
- Who needs to know?
- What support do you need and from who?
- How will you get that support?
- Rate on a 1 -10 scale your motivation to take the agreed actions?
Application of AUM Coaching model
Like the universal word “OM”, AUM coaching model can be applied to various forms of coaching.
1. Business Coaching
In this form of coaching where the primary intention of the client is creating or enhancing business. The AUM coaching model can be used to give your client the focus they need to create challenging, satisfying goals for themselves and their business, and the strategy and support to achieve them. Thus it can be applied when a client wants –
- To increase profit margins
- To attract and retain quality, high performing staff
- To work with a team to increase their cohesion, communication and results
- To work with an individual to improve performance and leadership skills
- To work with the business owner as a confidential sounding board
- To create a business worth living – one where you can take time off and know that things will run smoothly in your absence
- To boost client numbers
2. Executive Coaching
The primary focus is an experiential and individualized leader development process that builds a leader’s capability to achieve short and long-term organizational goals. The AUM coaching model will complement the efforts in a one-on-one and/or group interaction, driven by data from multiple perspectives, and based on mutual trust and respect to achieve maximum impact. Thus it can be applied for development of –
- Business acumen and financial management
- Leadership and organizational skills
- Social and communication skills
- Analytical and innovative thinking capacities
- Ability to inspire trust and commitment to action
- Rewards and acknowledgement
- "Presence" that allows them to work in a very large arena or overlapping arenas
3. Personal / Life Coaching
The primary focus is an alliance between coach and client where the coaching relationship continually gives all the power back to the client. The AUM coaching model will assist the client in believing that they know the answers to every question or challenge they may have in their life, even if those answers appear to be obscured, concealed or hidden inside and thereby helps the client learn how to make choices that create an effective, balanced and fulfilling life. Areas of application can be –
- Relationships and Intimacy
- Stress Management and Balance
- Spirituality and Personal Growth
- Motivation and Time Management
- Finances and Budgeting
- Health, Aging, Lifestyle and Self-Care
- Family and Parenting
4. Career / Students Coaching
The primary focus is to support students as they transition from their homes to independent living. The AUM coaching model will support students in their acclimatization, growth, development, and graduation from college, apart from helping parents and their financial investment made toward their children’s education. Thus it will help bring about –
- Increased social and self-awareness
- Stronger personal presence built on confidence and integrity
- Accurate decision making
- Critical thinking skills that leads to ideas and empowerment
- Development of leadership traits admired my future employers
- Ownership of actions vs. blame and judgment
- Sustainable positive behaviors (i.e. managing time, thinking ahead)
- Conflict resolution skills
- Maturity and responsibility