A Coaching Model Created by Ian Hanavan
(Sports Coach, BELGIUM)
The most effective way to lead is to lead from within. –LollyDaskal
A leader is one who knows the way, goes the way, and shows the way.-John Maxwell
If you have ever been under effective leadership, there is a certain flow that makes it enjoyable to follow. Have you ever wondered what makes these leaders so effective? How did they achieve that position in the first place? Are they born leaders? This might look like a gift from the universe, but on closer inspection, it will reveal that these leaders began with themselves first. They began to lead within themselves which then flowed into leading in life.
If a leader is unable to lead oneself then they are not a leader. Everyone has leading potential inside of them. Leadership is not reserved for the elite only. The quest to become a leader is the ultimate journey, and it is not always a stroll in the park. Sometimes that potential needs to be mined; other times it can be brought out by the spoken word, and still other times it needs to be found through awareness.
Often we hear people say if they were in charge things would be different. However, when that time arrives it doesn’t come easily, b/c leadership can be quite nuanced. There are many facets of leading and becoming a leader, and along this path, we can get in the way of ourselves. As a coach, I will help my clients get out of their way and draw this leader from within. Through awareness, the client will realize he or she has greatness inside of them. This process of discovery will help them unlock the leader within to lead in whatever capacity in life.
In the acronym T.E.A.M. Together Everyone Achieves More, each member brings their unique contribution and as a result together they experience success. When it comes to leading, I believe each person has leadership on and in them. When a person aspiring to be a leader begins to know and encounters their unique blueprint on this planet then contributing to a team, marriage, business, friendships, or LIFE, progress and success will be achieved. The definition of a leader is as follows: the person who goes first; to direct or guide on a course; to direct by influence. *It takes courage to reflect on oneself and admit that they have not lived up to that definition of that leader. Through powerful questioning, engaged listening, and allowing the client to feel comfortable in their skin, the client will arrive at a place of empowerment. This enlightenment will then show them which path to take.
I will coach in a way that fosters awareness through powerful questioning and helps the client see their true potential. I believe that being a leader is not just reserved for those with titles or positions. Being a leader is a journey of discovery, and finding one’s true North. Sometimes, clients can be stuck on what to do next, or not confident enough to make a decision that’s best for them or their team. Hopefully, I will be able to give them the tools that they need to go on and not second guess their abilities.
My path to becoming and accepting that I am a leader in life has been a progressive discovery. Leading well and bringing the best out of people have been a passion and lifestyle that I thoroughly embrace. When coaching clients my perspective is that each person has leadership capability in them; it is not reserved only for the elite. Life can be tricky, tough, and challenging and at times and it can cause people to doubt themselves and feel powerless to make a decision or lead others. However, once a person becomes aware that they are a leader it changes their outlook on life and it becomes a whole new world of possibilities.
The LEADER coaching model starts with LOVE and values the client from the very beginning. It demonstrates and reveals to them that they have a say in the world.LOVE is demonstrated by active listening and engaging with the client’s whole being. When loved and valued, it creates a sense of EMPOWERMENT that can be tapped into naturally at any moment in time. Next, tapping into that spirit of empowerment, it creates a spirit of ACTION that puts things into motion to achieve the client’s desired outcome. Every move made into the creative process toward the client’s goals must be DEVELOPED and crafted in a way that is achievable and attainable.
At this point in the coaching process, I strongly believe in ENCOURAGING the client to keep at it!! Acknowledging one’s efforts to put forth an action plan and to take the necessary steps of leading needs a cheerleader. I can become their cheerleader and supporter by framing my language within the session that illustrates their awareness. Lastly, after any session of learning, relearning, or even unlearning, I find it paramount to get the client to REFLECT on what their journey has been from inception to completion. The hope and desire in applying this coaching model are to have the client come to their conclusion. If the result is an understanding that they are a LEADER, it will be a shift in their way of living and perceiving life. Truthful recognition of their leadership from within will aid them in becoming the leader they were always meant to be.
Questions on Love:
If you could change JUST one thing about yourself right now, what would it be? What do you need most from me today? How can I serve you? What does the potentialYOU look like? Would you be comfortable to describe that to me?
What is your definition of leadership? What is the missing ingredient in your life right now for you to lead well? What type of life do you envision for yourself?
Questions of Empower:
What is success? How achievable is it for you to reach that success? How will you live your life differently after achieving your success? What impact will you have in the world after becoming aware of your reached goal? What can you do/say/think/feel that will make you a better leader? If you snap your fingers and become the leader you’ve envisioned yourself being, what would that look like?
Questions of Act:
What could you start doing now? What could you stop doing? What could you do less of? What could you continue doing? What are the necessary steps you are going to take to move forward? What are you willing to change to achieve this goal? What are you willing to commit to this week that would give you a sense of becoming the leader you have envisioned? What is required of you? What is the next right thing to do?
Questions of Develop:
What skills do you need to develop? What resources will you need? What happens during this development? How will you prepare for that? In the past, what have you already done, tried, or considered?
Questions of Encourage:
Who else might be able to help? What would you need to help you reach your goal? How else can I support you around your strategies to find the skills and resources to become a great leader? Who will be impacted by these potential changes?
Questions of Reflect:
What did you learn from ______? What will you do with this new learning moving forward? What do you think was happening? Is there anything missing? What are you proud of during the coaching period? How will you measure the ideal outcome you’re striving for? Does it align with your definition of success?
Conclusion:
This coaching model serves as a framework and guide. There is no ideal formula when it comes to facilitating people to become leaders of themselves and others. However, I trust that this coaching strategy, despite all the nuances that a person can bring into a coaching session, leads them to a destination of LEADERSHIP and SUCCESS.
Leader quotes:
We are what we pretend to be, so we must be careful about what we pretend to be. –Kurt Vonnegut
Leadership is not about titles, positions, or flowcharts. It is about one life influencing another. –John C. Maxwell