A Coaching Model Created by Vishwanath Parameswaran
(Executive Coach, INDIA)
I never cease to be amazed at the power of the coaching process to draw out the skills or talent that was previously hidden within an individual, and which invariably finds a way to solve a problem previously thought unsolvable. John Russell, Managing Director, Harley-Davidson Europe Ltd.
The 4 Es + 1 E coaching model
Introduction:
The above quote and image represent the true power of coaching. For me, the real power of coaching is to enable people to transcend their own limitations and reach their true potential. A space which allows the individual to reflect, make choices, act and move beyond one’s own definitions of oneself.
The 4 Es + 1 E model envisages 4 stages in the coaching process with the last 1 E being a part of the entire process – from start to completion. Each step of the process highlights the key areas that a coach must cover to ensure the effectiveness of the coaching conversation – in essence allowing the client to reach his true potential.
Steps of the 4 Es + 1 E Coaching Model
1. Engage
The first step in the coaching process is building an engagement with the client. My experience suggests that we must walk through 3 specific steps to ensure that this aspect is fully dealt with. The three sub steps under the head of “Engage” are as follows:
- a. Rapport building: This is a crucial element of the conversation, where the coach begins to build a relationship with the client. Rapport building requires a positive and enthusiastic beginning and using the right tone of voice, body language and energy. The outcome of this step is to build, both the required trust levels and also a positive anticipation for the conversation that lies ahead
- b. Framing the Coaching Conversation: Before moving into the actual coaching conversation, it is also essential for the coach to lay down the framework for the conversation especially in terms of the “confidentiality” aspects, the overall time available, what the coach will help with and cannot etc
- c. Outcomes: Once the ground rules have been laid out, the next level of engagement is about understanding what the needs of the client are and then helping him frame the expected outcomes of the session. At this time, it would also be important for the coach to state if the expected outcomes are possible or not during the session to ensure that the expectations are set in an optimal manner.
2. Explore
Once the goals and objectives for the session have been clarified and agreed upon, the coaching conversation moves to the “exploration” phase. It is important to remember that this is where the client’s view of the problem expands and the questions below and sub-steps are intended to cater to the same
To move through the phase effectively, we suggest, that coach guide the client through three specific steps to ensure that the exploration is as complete and comprehensive as can be. The steps below also align with facilitative methods used for brainstorming, consensus building and decisionmaking.
The following sequential steps are recommended to move through this phase:
