Target set …. Planning what will grow including why and how it will thrive
Having a clear target or goal is the key starting point to our coaching relationship; this is the beginning of the growth cycle. As your coach I will work with you to help you define (and sometimes redefine) your career and leadership objectives so that we can set the path for your development.
Highlight individual strengths .… What will grow best; picking the right seeds
It is so important to ensure the seed will have a chance to really prosper and grow so you need to ensure that what you are focusing on is something you will be successful at achieving. I am a firm believer that you must focus on what you enjoy doing in order to continue to build on what you are good, or even great, at doing. So being clear on your individual strengths will help us to clarify how to develop and then deliver on your development plans to reach your leadership goals. This process will ensure that you are planting the right type of seed in the right environment and at the right time to be successful.
Recognize opportunities and obstacles …. Where to plant the seed(s); planting it in the right conditions.
Once you know what you want to achieve there are many things that could either support or hinder your ability to prosper. These could be either or a combination of internal and external hindrances so we will spend some time exploring both the opportunities and obstacles for you to be successful in achieving your target.
You will need to decide if any of the self-awareness you now have about these opportunities or obstacles will change the original target. If so, we will make the necessary changes and continue to move forward.
Initiate action …. Planting the seed(s) and caring for it; taking action to thrive
This is a critical stage in the coaching process however without uncovering the underlying issues and your own personal areas of strength this stage can often be a point of failure without the appropriate planning and self-discovery. For growth to happen you need to be committed to the outcome, you need to trust the process and be accountable for the outcome. These may sound easy however in practice they can be complicated, frustrating and a seemingly slow journey. Growth sometimes takes a lot of patience and perseverance. We will work together to ensure you have established the appropriate support structures to meet your goals and I will help to motivate you along this path.
This is the stage where the “heavy lifting” of coaching and your own commitment is really tested. Like a small seed or a plant starting on its path to growth, it can take time. It may feel like you are working hard but don’t see the “sprout” yet pushing up through the ground. Know that your efforts are not in vain, it sometimes just takes more time and continued focus.
Validate progress …. Watching and monitoring the growth
Like any process, project or program there comes a time when you need to assess how things are going and adjust your path accordingly. I will work as your partner to help keep you aligned to your goal and keep you accountable. Together we will observe the progress being made and look for opportunities to strengthen the support structures to focus on your actions.
At the mid-point and end of the series of our coaching sessions we will check-in to see how this coaching process is working, what works well and what isn’t or didn’t work well. This will provide an opportunity for improvements both for you as well as me, as your coach.
Evaluate achievements …. Admiring how you have flourished
This may seem like the last stage of the overall coaching process however this evaluation and then celebration of your learning and achievements will be a focus throughout the process. It is so valuable to take the time to really acknowledge your achievements no matter how big or small they are because this gratitude will only accelerate your personal growth. That alone is something to celebrate!
