A Coaching Model Created by Shreesh Jamdar
(Executive Coach, INDIA)
If you choke your potentiality
Before it has an opportunity
To become your unique possibility
You will not reach your true Destiny
Mo Stegall (author – “Against all odds I can be).
Man has a choice to operate at two different levels. Unlike birds, animals and trees (who can only live on the “plane of survival”), man can choose the “spiral of evolution” or the plane of survival.
The plane of survival offers a notion of certainty and predictability. It lets us live in the zone of the known, thereby allowing us to create routines that make us feel safe, and avoids risk. Everything is within our current knowledge, experience and capability.
When we choose to live our lives on the basis of the spiral of evolution, we choose exploration, adventure, novelty and change over mere survival. Yes, it involves an element of uncertainty, risk and failure; but all new learning and growth takes place through the spiral of evolution. New knowledge and experience exists at the EDGE of our current comfort zones, not within them.
As adults, when we are in a mindset of survival, we tend to fight or flight change and the unknown. The new experience is therefore not assimilated. Instead of “Fight or Flight” if we could “Stay and Play” with new experiences in a spirit of exploration, new possibilities open up for us. The new experience is digested and becomes “part of us”. Our capabilities are sharpened, and we have greater opportunity to realize our aspirations and potential.
Coaching is uniquely suited to enabling growth, learning and new possibilities. It provides an optimal structure, process and supportive mechanisms that significantly increase the client’s chances of achieving aspirations and realizing potential.
My coaching model is called EDGE. This is an acronym for EXPLORE, DISCOVER, GROW and EXECUTE (E.D.G.E). It is inspired by the concept of the “spiral of evolution” and is inter-twined with the premise that by stretching beyond the “edge” of our current reality and our comfort zones, we create new possibilities for ourselves.
I see the EDGE model as a process of partnership between the client and me. The intention is that the model helps us to collaborate and create a conducive process for the clients to:
Discover
Underlying beliefs or self-limiting thoughts and behaviors that may be preventing the client from achieving goals and aspirations. Equally, it may reinforce the importance of certain values, strengths and resources that support client aspirations. The resultant “Aha” moments will build energy, enthusiasm and intent to move forward in the chosen direction.
Grow
I see this as a process of unfolding new perspectives, possibilities, options and strategies. Coaching is also a safe haven in which to experiment and try out new approaches, actions and behaviors. A number of methods, tools and techniques can be deployed like visualization, role plays, constructively challenging dysfunctional thoughts, feelings and actions. In short, everything that reinforces / encourages the client raises confidence and builds on innate capabilities and strengths.
Execute
Ensuring that the client has a clear road map for the journey back to implementing new learning, actions and behaviors in real life is the first step. Building ownership and accountability and, client belief and confidence in the planned actions (and own ability to execute) are key determinants of successful transition of coaching inputs. During execution phase, the client can be encouraged to try out new behaviors in a limited way to see how it works. Reinforcing the positive outcomes and partnering in modifying where needed or providing any additional perspectives / support. Once the client has achieved the desired outcomes, planning our withdrawal from the scene so that the client has effectively taken ownership and independent control of their situation.
