The SAIL Coaching Model

A Coaching Model By TM George, Executive Coach, AUSTRALIA

Live your life by a compass, not a clock.—Stephen R. Covey

The SAIL Coaching Model

S – Situation   
A – Analysis and Awareness
I – Intervention and Influence
L – Lasting Change

SAIL

Situation – Guided by the client, clarify and define their current situation and what they want to achieve. What is the goal that the client wants to achieve and why?  What are the gaps between the current state and the desired state?  What is the client’s perception and assessment of their ability to achieve their goals? What are the barriers that may come in the way of achieving their goals? What are the implications of achieving their goals or not achieving their goals?

Analysis and Awareness – Collaborate with the client to facilitate a more in-depth analysis of factors that may help them achieve their goals or that may come their way. The purpose is to understand if the contributing or restricting factors are primarily related to “self” (such as mindset, motivation, confidence, aptitude, skill gaps, habits, values, relationships, financial/ mental/physical well-being, etc) or if it related to external factors (such as organizational culture, structure, systems, politics, policies, rules, socio-economic factors, etc.). In most instances, both internal and external factors will play a role. Supporting the client to become more aware of their own locus of control (whether primarily internal or external) and other dimensions of core self-evaluation may help to generate additional insights. Finally, based on the insights and awareness, one needs to consider if coaching support will be of help or if there is a need for the client to consider other paths such as consulting or counseling. Once it is agreed that the client would like to progress with coaching, start working with the client on the identification of steps they need to take (Interventions) to make progress.

Intervention and Influence – Guided by the client, identify the actions that the client can initiate to progress towards his or her goal. Also, identify major barriers that may come in the way of progress and steps that he or she can take to overcome the same. What are the resources that she or he can garner and support mechanisms that can be leveraged to help with the most critical goals to be met or issues to be addressed? What new skills and competencies are required? What are the changes in habits or behavior that will help? Are their assumptions or self-limiting beliefs to be understood and addressed?  How can the client gain insights about their own blind spots?

Lasting Change – Help the client to reflect and explore measures that can help sustain the changes that the intervention can bring about. How can the client monitor progress, who or what can support to sustain the efforts, and is there a need to strengthen resilience and willpower to stay on track? Accountability and commitment are key to sustaining progress and making the change last. What can serve as the rudder and compass to help the client read and navigate the waves and winds on the journey?