A Coaching Model Created by Dinko Barbalic
(Transformational Coach, UNITED STATES)
To DARE means having the COURAGE to take an ACTION that implies going beyond our limits of comfort and change the status quo. What scares us and make us halt is the unknown, the lack of control of the new situation.
The DARE coaching model is focused on helping clients free their unexpressed potential by setting specific, inspiring and challenging GOALS that will help them find new perspectives and create new opportunities.
The DARE Model is based on the fundamental premise that knowledge needs action and action needs inspiration. It helps clients finding the courage to move towards their goals, promoting confidence, self-motivation increasing energy levels and stimulating personal and professional satisfaction.
The DARE coaching model is simple, practical, flexible and intuitive. It’s not a rigid structure and once the goal is established we can move flexibly through the other two stages until we get to the last which transforms the desire and intent into action.
DARE is an acronym that stands for:
D – define your GOALS and set your INTENT
A – analyze your SITUATION and address your OBSTACLES
R – recognize your OPTIONS and reap your RESOURCES
E –elaborate your WAY FORWARD take ACTION
By working through these stages, coaches can raise awareness in these areas:
D: goals and aspirations
A: current situation, internal and external obstacles
R: possibilities, strengths and resources
E: actions and accountability
Define your goals and set your INTENT
At the beginning of any coaching sessiontrust and intimacy become the foundation of the coaching relationship, which allows the coach to analyze the state of the client. After that the client is invited to define his GOAL for the session, which has to be inspiring, challenging and SMART (specific, measurable, relevant and achievable in a realistic time frame). This phase is fundamental as it gives the session a purpose and a direction as well as allowing the client to express his ASPIRATIONS. The goal might reflect the bigger picture of what the client wants to achieve from coaching (be healthier, more productive, fitter, etc.) and also what he wants specifically from the session itself (find a strategy/actions/a plan/options for moving forward in a specific situation).
Questions to ask in this phase are:
Analyze your SITUATION and address your OBSTACLES
This phase is about analyzing the current situation of the client and raise his awareness: what progress they have made towards the goal, what obstacles(internal or external) currently exist between where they are now and achieving the goal, what are the skills and knowledge. Asking the client questions that help them raise awareness about their reality and their strengths can dramatically increase courage, self-confidence and motivation to act immediately.
Questions to ask in this phase are:
Recognize your OPTIONS and reap your RESOURCES
In this phase, the coach helps the client to explore which are the options regarding his goal. The coach encourages the client to think out of the box, be creative and explore deeply until they feel they got to the bottom of the matter and no resources have been left outside.
Questions to ask in this phase are:
Elaborate your WAY FORWARD take ACTION (and CELEBRATE)
This last part is about transforming the goal and aspiration into concrete actions. In this phase, the coach invites the client to elaborate a detailed way forward (the what, when, how and where), a solid support structure (what or who will help them) and an accountability system(reporting) to help him consistently be on track towards achieving his goal. The coach will be helping the client to clarify the commitment of his client to his action
Questions to ask in this phase are:
These are the four linear phases of the DARE Model. They are just a framework and they can be adjusted over a period of time based on the clients’ needs and aspirations. For instance, after having explored the reality, the client might want to adjust the goal before starting the actions. Or in the last phase, once the client elaborates an action plan, he might feel that he wants more options. In any case, this is a guideline for the coach and it’s fundamental that he constantly understands the clients’ needs.