A Coaching Model Created by Paul Lewis
(Transformational Coach, UNITED STATES)
Assessing High Energy Performance highlights individual and group ‘dynamics’: what’s working and what isn’t working. The shift comes from the client. Success comes with self-evaluation, determination to create change, and accountability resulting in follow-through.
The people we coach are intelligent and very capable of drawing their own conclusions. What they often lack is a support mechanism to help get them where they want and deserve to be. Fulfilling this role as a coach is both an honor and a large responsibility. What exists on the surface for so many people is often symptomatic of deeper, more ingrained beliefs, that often don’t serve their interests.
Progressively peeling back the layers of the onion, until the ‘core’ is exposed requires honesty and transparency. This possibility opens the door to greater awareness, momentum, and sustainable shifts.
What I’ve learned to appreciate is that time is limited. Energy, on the other hand, is infinite. Energy can be manipulated, re-directed, and optimized. Presenting my clients with this possibility has created, and continues to create profound shifts, and solid foundation when supporting their action goals.
There is always a baseline, which is their starting point. In *Prochaska and Diclemente’s Transtheoretical model of change, it’s the ‘Contemplation Stage’, where ‘movement’ begins to take place. This is where possibility begins: deliberation and powerful self-questioning: If I move forward, what then? If I don’t move forward, what then? This poses 2 powerful questions that determine a future outcome. The option: either move forward or remain in the status quo. The individual has the choice: a desire and willingness to move forward, or the satisfaction of remaining where they are. Either way, it’s our responsibility as coaches to help them navigate their options, and help them to uncover what are the potential outcomes. The work is done by them, and we honor their choices.
Always fascinated with Prochaska and DiClemente’s Transtheoretical 6 Stages of Change Model, I looked at what it would take to help my clients move to action, if and when they were open to change. It became clear that those who were committed and fully-engaged were amenable to a comprehensive discussion, and “whatever it will take” to initiate sustainable change. Ultimately, it’s their investment in themselves, that will potentially impact the rest of their lives. This became the foundation for the APPS3 Model that I designed, with potential clients in mind.
APPS3
2 interactive components
- Assessment; Process; Performance
- Shift, Structure, Systems.
ASSESSMENT – A comprehensive interview/ intake session. If I move forward, what then? If I don’t move forward, what then? What’s working for you? What isn’t working for you?
PROCESS – A structured approach to implementing the client’s objectives. What will work better for you?
PERFORMANCE – Evaluation of these objectives. What modifications will support your momentum?
SHIFT– Observation of changes taking place, and follow-up
STRUCTURES – Support mechanism for taking action
SYSTEMS – Network of interconnecting and organized parts, supporting objectives
(Immortal Executive LLC)
Reality
We live in a frenetic society and world. Success is this modern world is driven by the ‘need to achieve’ as quickly as possible, with the greatest possible results. The reality is: as humans, we don’t fit this paradigm. We haven’t evolved genetically to move with the rapid pace that society dictates, and demands. Yet this is constantly expected of us, and we often expect this of ourselves. We ‘battle’ competition, a desire for bigger houses, new cars, excessive demands at work, professional and personal responsibilities that undermines our ability to sustain High Energy Performance.
High Energy Performance is the ability to function effectively in the present – compartmentalize – focusing on energy, rather than time management. What’s the reason for this? Time is finite. When it comes to executive performance, time is a criterion that a majority of executives wish they have more of, to complete tasks and responsibilities. In contrast, when you focus on ‘infinite energy’ your performance begins and continues to blossom. How does this alternative – ‘infinite energy’ paradigm – look:
- Discuss energy vs. time.
- Fortify this shift in thinking, processing and executing with active listening and powerful questioning, between coach and client.
- Create structures and systems to support this option.
- Focus on performance and output, gearing up to ‘optimize’ energy.
The Journey
Studying, researching, observing and interacting with executive clients over the past 2 decades, over 4 continents, I’ve focused on their motives and barriers. What motivates their behaviors, and what barriers prevent them from achieving the results that they say that they desire.
Goals are often the go-to. However, ‘goals’ exist ‘somewhere in the future’, and it’s easy to become disillusioned by the time and energy needed to invest, in order to achieve the ‘grandiose goals’ that clients pursue. Instead of shooting for ‘distant goals’, I always recommend focusing on powerful structures and systems that lead to breakthroughs. Being goal-oriented is a fabulous statement. Though without a solid foundation, the targeted goal often fizzles.
Powerful questions reinforce the process:
- How do you see yourself as a dynamic, evolving system?
- What support structures do you need in place to meet your goals?
- What systems do you have in place to support your momentum?
- How will you know when you are moving in the right direction?
4 key factors reinforce the actions that we take:
- Incremental shifts, which are key to sustainable results.
- Anticipation and motivation to reach meaningful goals.
- An attitude attuned to the scent of success.
- The experience of success that leads to further success.
As I drew my own conclusions from the people I worked with and observed, I formatted the Immortal Executive – ‘Executive and Performance Coaching Model’: APPS3 – 2 interactive components that support the individual and group to help support my client’s evolution and objectives. Ground zero, or the core to their success: High Energy Performance.
It’s the individual, or group prepared to optimize energy and performance, who opens doors to the rest of their life. In addition, we work with, communicate, connect with, interact with, and support others, as they also support us. We are part of an extensive and dynamic system. It’s this hands-on experience, professionally and personally, that helps us create a win-win. We open the door to help influence others. This has a ‘global effect’: a system of high Energy Performance and Performers.
(Immortal Executive LLC)
Conclusion
The ICA Journey has been a wonderful complement along my personal/professional journey. The insights gained from mentors, peers, and clients have been enriching. It has taken me a while to adapt my approach to coaching. The versatility that professional coaching has offered me has helped me restructure and refine my thinking and deep appreciation for ‘active listening’. Self-assessment, Process, Performance, and ‘creating the pause’, were my key take-aways. Making personal shifts, opened my eyes to acknowledge the importance of incremental Shifts for my clients. Structures and Systems fortify the process, creating an ideal model for my business, Immortal Executive.
*Prochaska and Diclemente’s Transtheoretical model of change – The Science of Health Promotion, James O. Prochaska, Wayne F. Velicer
(Immortal Executive LLC)