A Coaching Model Created by Wendy Yaniv
(Transitional Coach, ISRAEL)
Introduction
Upon embarking on my coaching model, I put a lot of thought into what brought me to coaching in the first place. What do I want to offer? What will my process feel like and WHO are those most likely to benefit from my past experiences and training?
My “model” is less a model and more a visual representation of what my Transitional Coaching Practice would look like for my client. The idea of taking a SEAT and understanding the varying perspectives of the transition. The chairs represent the process. SEAT: The chair looking at the client Settle with the past. The middle chair, facing out to the sea represents the Exploration of the Present and the myriad of possibilities as our perspectives begin to shift as we progress through the chairs. The chair facing away from us represents the Adoption of a new perspective. The road continuing past that chair represents the Transition to a better place!
My coaching process and belief is that the transition IS the process and progressing through these stages allow the process to unfold and offer a “compass” for the client. Allowing them to reconnect with the inner compass and where their future road can take them.
What do I offer as a Coach?
I am that person that has taken a SEAT. While I have arrived at Coaching from a different perspective, it’s less about where one came from vs where you are going. I have been on my own personal journey as a caregiver to a loved one that went through a very difficult time mentally, I have become an EXPAT, leaving my family and children to another country. I have grown, I have learned, I have shifted SEATS and I have now become an even stronger version of myself.
As a coach and as a person, I have great empathy for others, and I am able to read and connect with people on various levels. I am curious about others’ journeys and dreams. I also know that while I can be very bold and intuitive regarding what people say or don’t say, I also love adding a touch of humor to lighten up a conversation, if appropriate.
Coaching Process
The coaching process is all about where the client is present. While the model offers a process, the client will dictate where and how the journey will unfold … with the intent to continuously move forward and shift SEATS and perspective – creating growth and understanding within themselves.
See beyond the past:
Their first SEAT will be to help them see that their past beliefs or perspectives are what brought them to this place but do not have to keep them in this place. Within the coaching environment, it is important that the coach helps to guide the client to see beyond the past and begin making the transition to the future. What worked for them, didn’t work for them? What limited them and what empowered them? What are their goals, objectives, motivations?
Explore the present:
This is the second SEAT that they will take as the transition has already begun – shifting SEATS and perspectives. This SEAT in the coaching process is to entrust the client with their own ability to explore and be responsible for their own future. To trust themselves to know that they are capable of not only seeing a new horizon but also navigating to their new destination. Having faith in their ability to shift and change and achieve.
Adopt a new perspective:
This is the third SEAT of truly adopting within themselves their new goals, perspective and becoming aware of the shift within themselves. Understanding what it means, what it feels like, how it “shows up” in their daily lives. A shift to a new perspective is like creating muscle … one must continue working out to create this muscle memory. This is a stage of reminding the client that a new path is new and comes with its own set of challenges. To trust oneself from the past two SEATS and to continue learning from and owning the journey is what will give the client that confidence and power to fully make the transition to the road to the future.
Acknowledging the difficulties but trusting themselves enough to know that they can continue moving forward to the original goals that they set for themselves.
Transition to a better future:
This is the final SEAT. The client has reached a point of trust in themselves, enlightenment and an unburdening of the past. Each client’s approach will be different but will eventually bring them to this final SEAT.
We have worked together as Coach and client to help them acquire a new perspective. They have made the final shift towards the future. Together, we have created the plan that is right for them, the confidence to move forward with determination and clear plan to achieve that better future.
Coaching Niche
The SEAT coaching model is geared towards those clients encountering a profound transition in their life. They are in a place of profound discomfort or challenge and are looking to learn, transform and embrace a new perspective to launch to the next level.
The importance and power of sitting in each SEAT, learning from each perspective and then, purposefully, standing and moving to the next SEAT will appeal to those that want to commit to the journey. Having experienced it myself, it would be my greatest honor to sit with each of my clients and encourage them to switch SEATS, grow and strengthen to become the best version of themselves.