A Coaching Model Created by Eleanor Gurney
(Executive Coach, Wellness Coach, SINGAPORE)
I have participated in (and help others participate in) a well known Obstacle Race called the ‘Spartan Race’.
“Spartan Race is a series of obstacle races of varying distance and difficulty ranging from 3 miles to marathon distances”.
Anyone who has participated in this event knows that it’s super challenging and exhausting but lots of fun and rewarding. Whilst many of us participate in a team, ultimately it’s a personal challenge. Each Spartan obstacle is different and therefore requires different strengths, skills, and tactics to complete. As such, we have to:
It’s a challenge and it’s why we feel euphoric on crossing the finishing line. We are left with:
The Obstacle Race/Course Analogy
obstacle course noun
- a series of objects that people taking part in a race have to climb over, under, through, etc.
- a series of difficulties that people have to deal with to achieve a particular aim
All obstacle courses have:
- A START (line)
- A series of OBSTACLES, which the individual has to overcome.
- A FINISH (line)
The GOAL is to complete the course.
The Nature of an Obstacle Course:
In a typical course, the obstacles vary in nature and difficulty and, therefore, require different skills, techniques, and strategies from the individual.
As such, the nature of an obstacle course is that it can be:
The Nature of the Participant:
Each participant experiences the course differently as they come to the challenge with different skills, strengths, beliefs, and perspectives.
For example:
However, each participant has:
- A “bank” of skills, strengths, experience, and self-awareness that they bring with them on entering the challenge i.e. they know what they’re good at, what they’ve done before, and where their potential weaknesses lie, etc.
- The knowledge that there will be a certain amount of “unknowns” regarding the challenge ahead i.e. they don’t know for sure what the obstacles will look like or how challenging/easy they’ll be, whether they’ll play to their strengths or weaknesses etc.
- The understanding that this a game of strategy, therefore, they have a willingness to problem solve each obstacle by drawing from their “bank” and addressing the “unknowns” i.e. what shall I draw from my “bank” that will serve me at this moment and what do I need to address to move me forward?
The Nature of Success
To complete an obstacle course a participant needs to draw carefully from their “bank”, address the “unknowns”, and strategically blend these two to complete the challenge.
On successful completion, participants feel accomplished and empowered.
Coaching Application – Obstacles Lead the Way
An Obstacle Course/Race can be compared to the Coaching Process, which takes participants through much the same journey.
In entering the coaching conversation clients will find that:
The Coach’s Role is to support the client on their journey to:
Identify – The Goal
In getting clarity on this, clients can:
Evaluate – The Status Quo
In focusing on this clients can:
Strategize – Design a Course of Action.
By establishing this they will:
Execute – The Plan
In getting into action the client will:
Achieve – And feel Empowered.
In achieving their desired outcome they will:
Reflect – To Learn
In considering this the client will:
Reflection
This model is created with people like me in mind – those that have hit “mid-life” and are beginning a journey of reflection about their personal and professional goals. Typical clients may be looking for a more balanced approach to life and are looking for a holistic approach to future-proofing themselves in terms of finances, health, happiness, and longevity.
Using this model, which focuses very much on reflecting and building on established skills, experience, knowledge, and awareness to build a strategy for success, is ideal for this particular niche.