In a world where self-improvement is a constant pursuit, the role of a coach is pivotal in supporting the clients toward becoming the best version of themselves. Coaching is not merely about addressing surface-level issues; it delves deeper, exploring the essence of who the client is and what they truly want to achieve. Here’s how coaches support clients in this transformative journey.
Understanding the “What” and the “Who”
When clients approach a coach, they often present a specific problem, the “what” of their situation. This could be anything from wanting to meditate to starting a business. Effective coaching transcends beyond just addressing these problems. It focuses on the “who”—the individual behind the goal. The “what” is addressed through the “who”.
For instance, if a client wants to lose weight, a coach will explore what the client wants to explore, go as deep as the client wishes to go in the specifics of the topic. The coach establishes why the topic is important and explores the client’s motivations, values, and belief systems. Understanding why a goal matters to the client is crucial. This deeper exploration fosters self-awareness, helping clients recognize the underlying factors that drive their desires and behaviors.
Facilitating Self-Discovery
The Coach believes in the client’s innate resourcefulness. Coaches do not provide solutions or impose their beliefs; instead, they create a supportive environment where clients can discover their answers. Through powerful questioning and active listening, coaches help clients unearth their strengths, aspirations, and barriers.
Consider a client who has long contemplated starting a business but has hesitated for years. A coach can take two routes. Explore what may enable the client to start the business alternatively ask probing questions to understand the fears and beliefs that have held the client back. This process of self-discovery can be enlightening, enabling clients to recognize their potential and motivating them to take actionable steps toward their goals.
Creating a Personalized Action Plan
Once an awareness is generated the Coach then supports the client in recognizing what they may have learnt about themselves and the situation. The client can then leverage this learning to create an action plan for himself / herself. This is in alignment with the client’s unique circumstances and values. The coach may also check with the client on how they will keep up with the action plan so created.
Accountability and Support
The coach facilitates the client to identify their own accountability support system. The does not become the accountability partner nor does the Coach hold them accountable for their commitments. It is totally the client’s wish and responsibility.
The client decides what to do, how much to do, how to do it. The coach definitely acknowledges and celebrities the progress that a client makes.
Coach creates space for the client to feel heard, listen to their own selves, become self aware , learn and grow in the direction that they want to grow.
Disclaimer :ICF Core Competencies and ICF Code of Conduct have inspired these blogs