Coach Training School
Enabling the client to see the link between goals and values and the potentiality of the future is the prime focus for the coach in this stage. Visualisation can be a powerful tool. At this stage the client can identify their values and goals and see the deviations that have occurred firstly, in their past life with its attendant impact on the present and secondly, from their current lives per se. The limitations thus placed on the future become self-evident.
In this stage the client will reframe the perspective, from the anchored present rooted in the past to the future and its new possibilities. Using the knowledge gained in the previous stage the client begins to dismantle barriers and shift the perspective to a forward looking one.
A critical part of the reframed perspective, is embracing of risk and looking forward. The motivation is self-generated and quickly becomes self-perpetuating.
With risk an active factor in the new forward looking paradigm frame the client can now identify enablers to assist the actual move forward. The first actions and strategies are now in sight.
The client is now actively looking forward, having put the past and present in their place in relation to the future. The task now is to coach the client to identify the new forward enablers required to support risk taking.
The outcomes of the visualisation exercise done in the Commit stage can be used here. Additionally, a re-look at values and goals will assist in crystallising the new paradigm and enforce the client commitment to action.
Prior to this stage the client has realised the futility of life without alignment to values and goals, abandoned it, dismantled the associated structures and anchors and is ready to move forward. The new paradigm has been validated against the values and goals. This stage is about re-inventing positive structures, re-enforcing the risk taking paradigm and setting plans and actions to start the move forward.
Key at this stage also is the client realisation and acceptance that behavioural changes will be involved, some of which will be unconscious and reflexive but also some that can be planned and knowingly implemented.
The coach now has to enable positive structure building. The structures required for the client to move forward are confidence, high self-esteem and risk acceptance.
Additionally, the coach at this stage can also encroach into business consulting territory to borrow tools for planning and implementation – actions and timelines. It is important that the client’s actions are aligned with identified values and goals. The coach acts as check and balance.
The client is now moving forward, confidently implementing the actions planned and making the behaviour changes as accepted. This is the action implementation stage of the process and integrity and firmness of purpose is critical to achieve the right desired outcomes.
As the plan unfolds and the client experiences new risks and possibilities, encouragement, monitoring and accountability will be required.
It is recommended that the client not end the coaching relationship immediately but have a few sessions at a reduced frequency. It will help to periodically check alignment of the developing life paradigm with stated values and goals.
As mentioned above, it is recommended that the coach continue the relationship for sometime after time as implementation is under way. The coach acts the check and balance on the client’s discipline and inner strength as a new future is embraced. There is bound to be some tentativeness and the coach can provide valuable support and familiarity.
Holding the client accountable is an important part of the coach’s remit at this stage. The client may require assistance in awareness so as to ensure alignment of values, goals and actions..