Coaching Model: The Safari Drive

A Coaching Model Created by Pauline Mkala
(NGO coach, KENYA)

About the Ride

What is the Safari Drive?

Trust only movement. Life happens at the level of events, not of works. Trust movement. – Alfred Adler

The prospect of taking a game drive is usually filled with apprehension of the unknown and at the same time filled with excitement and expectation of the variety of wildlife that will be encountered.  The safari drive is an apt metaphor for the coaching process.  When the client engages on a coaching journey, they are anxious and at the same time expect to come out with positive outcomes enabling them to meet their desired goals.  On the Safari drive the client is the driver of the Vehicle, while the coach is accompanying the client and will be pointing out the animals along the way which the client may fail to see or which the client may not be familiar with. On the coaching journey, the animals represent the issues, obstacles, celebrations along the journey to which the coach will draw the attention of the client. For example the client would be cautioned stop at a safe distance when an elephant is spotted crossing the road ahead to avoid conflict and danger to the team on the game drive; this can be compared to reframing perspectives. When a lion is seen, there is cause to celebrate because it is rare to be sited, this can be compared to acknowledging and celebrating the client’s successes along the journey. The Safari ride is a metaphor of the coaching journey that comprises emotions, experience, actions, and thus reaching desired destination.

The Coaching Process

The coach will create a confidential and safe space so that the client can sit back and embark on their exploratory journey. Furthermore, offering some refreshments marks the entire journey and ensures an ambiance of credibility, trust, honesty, confidence, accountability etc.

The Safari Drive will go through several stations to ensure that client arrive safely at the final destination.

The Safari drive goes through four stations. The client is accountable and responsible for the results. Navigator makes the driving easier and driver missing destination is minimized. The client has their life to live without the coach, but living Coach accompanying them on the journey makes the journey easier.

1. Self-discovery station

The coach facilitates the client to explore points of strengths and areas of uniqueness. On the game drive this are the discussions before embarking on the journey that involves discussions around, payment of park fees, the park rules, safe behavior in the park communicating what the coaching  journey entails, exploring and clarification of goals.

2. Goals Setting station

The coach will facilitate the client to reflect, and brainstorm on setting goals determined by client through tools such powerful questions, visualizing, listening etc. This can be likened to pointing out animals on the game drive.

3. Action plan station

The client will initiate the baby steps taking him/her towards the change in their life. This is akin to being in the driver’s seat during the game drive.

4. Celebrating station

The coach will offer refreshment to the client through celebrating the client’s achievements of set goals such as client leaving their comfort zone. On the game drive this can be compared to siting rare species such as a lion.

The Coaching model flow

The safari drive is a stages model. The process commences at the contracting stage where the coach established what the client is seeking to achieve and the setting of the rules of engagement. Each phase then creates the shift by itself either forward or backwards therefore the flow is not necessarily leaner but is more progressive and can be likened to a spiral.