A Coaching Model Created by Mukesh Sharma
(Executive Coach, INDIA)
The following model is for a specific niche. I am using it in the Information Technology industry in India. It is targeted at employees who feel stressed by the way the whole industry works (long hours, tight deadlines, furious customers, demanding bosses).
FRUIT stands for:
F – Feelings
R – Reassure
U – Understand
I – Introspect
T – Transform
Feelings:
The client is very unhappy. There are things which have gone wrong. She does not know what to do. Explore the feelings the client is going thru.
It is very important to understand the client’s true feelings. The client usually finds some relief after expressing her emotions.
Reassure:
The client needs Comfort. She needs to believe that everything is not lost. There is ample scope to improve things. Just being there for the client is comforting for her. Give full attention, your full presence. Reassure the client that we can still achieve her goals.
Find out ways and means of acknowledging the client for some good work done by her. As the Coach starts acknowledging, the client starts feeling positive about herself. She starts believing that she is after all capable of doing things and doing them well.
Understand:
Now that the client is more composed, this is the time to discuss her actual problem.
Understand the issues in greater details. Ask powerful questions to get to the root of the problem.
Introspect:
Challenge the client to look into herself, to introspect. Usually the way the client talks about the problem, it would be usually involving someone else.
My boss does not treat me well
HR did not give me the promotion I so deserve
My co-worker always indulges in back-biting etc.
Can you, as a Coach, ask the client to redefine the problem so that the onus of the problem lies with the client?
I will need to understand my boss better so that he does not ill-treat me’.
I will need to understand the requirements for the promotion so that I can prepare myself for the next promotion.
I will work collaboratively with my co-workers so that we develop a strong bonding.
When we blame others, we leave the onus on that person to change. There is nothing that we can do. Whereas if we take the responsibility of change on ourselves; then the action lies within me to change the situation.
Transform:
With her new found awareness, the client is now ready to take actions to transform herself.
It is my responsibility to take action to improve my condition.
Have I done everything I could have done which are under my control?
I will not compare myself with others, instead I will compare with myself. Am I better off than before? If not, then what can I do today so that I am?
The client sees a lot of possibilities and gets excited for actions. These are actions that are within her control. The client feels a sense of relief and looks forward to the future in a very positive mindframe.