4. Activate:
The stages of Exploration and Activation go parallel. What is explored as an attribute of the coachee is tested for results through Activation. Activation begins with the process of identifying ‘opportunity events’ in the person’s day to day life wherein he can test the identified attribute in contributing to the end result that is desired. The effectiveness of the attribute in delivering the end result is explored adequately. Observations of the coachee immediately after the opportunity event are recorded and these observations are discussed in the coaching session subsequent to the opportunity event(s).
Each attribute along with its opportunity events are discussed and the coachee is empowered as he goes about realizing the effectiveness of those attributes in creating the end result. During the final stages of exploration and activation, the coachee is able to demarcate the qualities he holds/wishes to hold into broadly three buckets
5. Internalise:
Once activation along with exploration have considerably occurred, the coachee is invited to describe his most desired style of operation keeping in view the picture of the end goal he wishes to achieve. The processes of exploration and activation are to instill the understanding in the individual about the ability to be flexible in one’s approach.
Fine-tuning the style of operation basis the situation and the desired outcome is the learning that is internalized during this stage through effective visualization and reflective techniques.
Review and Re-explore
After internalization, the coachee is then encouraged to identify the set of actions he or she would like to undertake towards the achievement of the goal. During the identification of the actions, there is an overt application of the learning obtained during Exploration and Activation. The coachee keeps in perspective the need to be flexible in the working or operating style and accordingly selects actions that can help him reach the end goal in the fastest manner.
The coachee is then encouraged to carry out these actions in the period between the coaching sessions. During every coaching session these actions are reviewed to understand the overall progress towards the end goal. Any stumbling blocks identified during the review process are indications of the need to re-explore. There may be certain deeply entrenched values and belief systems in place which did not surface during the earlier stages of exploration and activation. The processes of Exploration, Activation, Internalization and Review are then undertaken till the coachee is able to witness a considerable progress towards achieving his identified end goal.
Feed-Forward
At the end of the coaching engagement a formal document is shared with the coachee to help him get greater clarity on his journey of transformation. The performance of the coachee on the key change enablement dimensions is shared. These dimensions include
The intensity levels on each of the above dimensions are shared with the coachee. These intensities are to be used as feed-forward by the coachee time to time to activate behavioral change in other dimensions of his life in the future. The internalization of the behavioral change process is envisioned to be the key takeaway for the coachee for it equips him with knowledge, awareness and self-directing techniques of watching out for the need for change and immediately flexing his style to accommodate personal change. The deeper the understanding of this personal change process is for the coachee, the more is his ability to apply this understanding and gain success in the upcoming challenges of his life.