The ICONic Coaching Model

A Coaching Model By Irene Contreras, Life and Healthy Leadership Across Cultures Coach, SWITZERLAND

ICONic – A Blended Model for Life Coaching and Leadership and Executive Coaching

I am a firm believer in proactivity. Create positive change. Take things into your own hands and don’t let circumstances defeat you.

ICONic is thought out to be a blended model for Life Coaching and Leadership and Executive Coaching across cultures.

It is built around my core values: authenticity, integrity, trust, resilience, and growth, and the principles of Healthy leadership, which, to a great extent, overlap with my values. 

Since I was a kid, I have been fascinated by the cultural differences in the world, which made me study them travel, live and work in different countries, and learn different languages.

From my own life experience, in today’s globalized world, it is an essential life skill to recognize and embrace the diversity of individuals and their cultural backgrounds.

By incorporating intercultural elements, the ICONic coaching model fosters a deeper understanding and appreciation of cultural elements in order to enhance collaboration across cultures and promote inclusive leadership.

What Does ICONic Stand For?

I – Identify
C – Create
O – Optimize
N – Nurture
ic –  interculturality

I – Identify

In this initial stage, clients explore both their personal and professional aspects. They gain insights into their values, strengths, passions, and aspirations, as well as their leadership style, competencies, and organizational goals. Additionally, clients explore the concept of Healthy Leadership, which emphasizes the importance of leading with authenticity, integrity, and well-being.

This holistic identification process helps clients align their personal and professional lives, ensuring that their leadership journey is in harmony with their overall life purpose.

C – Create

In this second stage, clients create a comprehensive vision that integrates their personal and professional aspirations. They set goals that encompass both their desired outcomes in life and their leadership responsibilities.
By aligning their personal and professional aspirations, clients develop a clear roadmap for their growth as leaders and individuals, fostering a sense of purpose.
By adopting the principles of Healthy Leadership, they will focus on promoting a healthy work environment and fostering the well-being of themselves and their teams.

O – Optimize

In this stage, clients optimize their behaviors, leadership skills, and strategies while enhancing their personal well-being.

How?

They identify areas for growth and develop strategies to enhance communication, decision-making, team management, and employee engagement. Simultaneously, they explore ways to create a supportive work culture and encourage healthy work-life integration for their teams and for themselves. They will also focus on strategies for self-care and maintaining their overall well-being.

N – Nurture

Clients receive ongoing support and guidance to nurture their growth as leaders and individuals. They explore ways to enhance their leadership presence, influence, and impact while ensuring personal growth and fulfillment.

As a coach, we help clients strike a balance between professional success and personal well-being, fostering resilience, self-awareness, and sustainable high performance.

We partner with our clients and accompany them unconditionally and judgment-free throughout their journey.

ic – interculturality

Understanding cultural differences and their impact on organizations is the key to navigating a globalized world’s complexities. 

As a coach, we help clients:

• Develop awareness and sensitivity to cultural differences, including values, beliefs, communication styles, and norms; and recognize and appreciate the impact of culture on individuals’ perspectives, behaviors, and aspirations.
• Build skills and knowledge to effectively cultivate cultural competence, and understand cultural nuances that influence individuals’ goals, challenges, and motivations.
• Address and overcome cultural barriers that may hinder project completions, personal growth, and leadership development by encouraging open dialogue, curiosity, and willingness to learn from diverse perspectives.
• Support the development of inclusive leadership practice, facilitate the exploration of cultural biases and stereotypes, foster an environment of respect, collaboration, and belonging
• Promote cross-cultural communication, empathy, and the ability to leverage cultural differences as strengths.

With ICONic – Life & Healthy Leadership coaching across cultures coaching, clients benefit from a comprehensive approach that addresses both their personal and professional dimensions.

This model allows them to integrate their goals, values, and aspirations enabling them to lead with authenticity and achieve a harmonious and fulfilling life. It helps them to cultivate intercultural awareness, adapt their leadership style to different contexts, and foster inclusive, non-biased practices.

It empowers them to excel as leaders while maintaining a holistic approach to their overall well-being.

References

Hofstede, G., Hofstede, G. J., &Minkov, M. (2010). Cultures and organizations: Software of the mind, third edition (3rd ed.). McGraw-Hill Professional.
Rosinski, P. (2003). Coaching across cultures: new tools for leveraging national, corporate and professional differences. Nicholas Brealey Publishing.
Coco, V (2022). What power do I have? A career guide on redefining leadership with intersectional talents. Self-published under Amazon fulfillment.
Boyatzis, R., Smith, ML., & Van Oosten, E. (2019). Helping people change. Coaching with compassion for lifelong learning and growth. Harvard Business Review Press.