What does Anchored mean?
The dictionary meaning of the word Anchored is to hold the object firmly, to secure. Anchoring is a term/ tool used in Neuro Linguistic Programming (NLP) and stands for changing the mind state to a more resourceful and empowering mind state. Anchors can be a stimuli that call forth states of mind (thoughts and emotions) that allow the client to feel confident and take on the challenge.
The term Anchored has been inspired by NLP, but I have defined it as follows:
Anchored is when change is rooted in an empowering belief, a belief that contributes to the clients unique perspective on situations. Without our being aware, everything we do is governed by our belief system. They act as filters and influence our choices and how we respond to any situation. They are assumptions that we have made about ourselves and how we see the world. They are powerful as we could distort or omit data to support the beliefs. It is therefore important to get the client to identify their limiting beliefs / disempowering beliefs. Changing/ reframing the belief will tend to change what the client will do. The change and action plan will then be anchored and be more sustainable.
Anchored Change – Coaching Questions and Tools
We all encounter clients who are struggling and don’t seem to move forward inspite of having the skill and capability to do well. This is because there are limiting beliefs in their subconscious that are influencing their conscious behavior. Our actions or behaviors are influenced by our belief system, which are assumptions that we have made about the world based on our experiences and environment. Limiting beliefs tend not to be true and therefore don’t allow the client to move forward.
- Therefore for ANCHORED behavior change, the coach must first facilitate self awareness of the beliefs that are influencing the behavior. The coach needs to get the client to move from conscious understanding to the subconscious reasons for the behavior. The coach with the questions needs to get the client to think about the unnecessary assumptions and rules that convince them about the behavior. Questions that link how the behavior is leading to their defining themselves. Listening is also important as clients reveal their beliefs during conversation. Please find below a tool called the "Behavior to Belief Tree" that will help in the identification of the limiting beliefs.
- The second phase to the Anchored behavior change is to Reframe and Reprogram the limiting belief. Reframing is about changing perspective or the way we see things. Reframing happens in the mind and leads to a new perspective (empowering belief) that allows the client to see possibilities and experience positive emotions i.e. belief is that getting the degree is everything and therefore a client is anxious and worried about missing the deadline. Reframed belief could be that the "journey is as important as the destination" which leads to new possibilities and commitment to do additional credits and research.
- The third and final stage of the Anchored Behavior stage is to get the client to use the insight and new thinking of the empowering belief to develop an action plan for change. To us the energy, positive emotion to get the client to commit to and confidently make the change. By ensuring that the change is ANCHORED to the belief ensures that the client experiences tremendous positive emotion every time he attempts the change. This helps build self esteem and motivation that are important ingredients for success.
The role of a coach in this process is to facilitate self awareness. To question so that the client can understand if their beliefs are supporting them to move forward. The coach must respect the clients beliefs even though they might not agree with them. The coach must try and see things from the clients perspective, which will lead to empathy, trust and support for the client. The support is important, as the client could be scared as they attempt to themselves question the assumptions, which form their worldview.
Conclusion:
The power tool of Transitory vs. Anchored Coaching is about facilitating client growth and change. Growth happens through self awareness and the self esteem that comes from the change that is ANCHORED to an empowering belief. This leads to long lasting change that is based on subconscious beliefs and not just short lived change based on conscious awareness.
References
Evidence Based Coaching. David B Peterson
NLP in 21 Days. Harry Alder, B Heather
David Turner on Phil Jackson
Authentic Coaching and the Exquisite self. A Mcleod
Coaching Behavior Change. Margaret Moore, G. HighStein
Values and Beliefs. Mike Munro Turner