The C.O.A.C.H. M.E. Conversation Model(Structure of a formal Coaching Conversation)

(Created by Lerae Gidyk, MCC as a result of learning from those I have coached and been coached by)

  1. Conversation Focus is Established
  2. With direct open questions determine a clear succinct focus that is manageable within the time frame of the coaching conversation
  3. Focus is achieved when there is a verbal agreement stated between the coach and the coachee
  4. Opening the Conversation Effectively - Launch Question
  5. A launch question is a thought provoking question that is derived directly from the established conversation focus and is intended to effectively and productively shift the coachee’s thinking forward in preparation for deeper discovery
  6. Allow Exploration - The Body of the Coaching Conversation
  7. The body of the coaching conversation creates a container for the coachee to explore within
  8. Here is where the coach is deeply curious and invites exploration in the coachee while being anchored but not attached to the coaching conversation focus
  9. The coach applies relevant skills with the intention of creating and deepening the coachee’s awareness as it relates to the focus established
  10. Check-In with Focus (mid-conversation)
  11. A point near the middle of the coaching conversation
  12. This is where the coach checks in with the coachee to learnhow the conversation is relating to the conversation focus established at the beginning of the call
  13. An example may be, “We are about half way through our 30 minute coaching session, the focus we agreed upon for your session is “X”, what are you noticing about ‘X’ as a result of our conversation thus far?”
  14. At this point the coachee may acknowledge that the direction of the coaching conversation is productive or may determine that the focus has changed/morphed into something else
  15. It is important to remain flexible (anchored but not attached) and work with the focus that the coachee identifies as the way to proceed with the coaching conversation
  16. Helpful in Transitioning to Strategy
  17. The coach is helpful in asking questions that invite the coachee to articulate the learning being generated in the coaching conversation
  18. The coachee has the opportunity to consider the most productive and effective course of action based on the awareness created during the body of the coaching conversation
  19. Making an Action Plan
  20. The coachee articulates specific action steps that they are willing, ready and able to commit to between coaching conversations
  21. The coach may co-create the action plan by offering additional fieldwork, making a request or by presenting the coachee with a challenge
  22. The coach invites the coachee to determine if there are any areas of resistance that may limit the coachee’s ability to be successful in following through with the action plan
  23. Evaluation and Closure
  24. The coaching conversation comes full circle at the point where the coach invites the coachee to reconnect with the original focus
  25. An example may be, “We are coming to the end of our coaching conversation, how successful were we in addressing your focus of ‘X’?”
  26. The coach invites the coachee to“lock in” new awareness created during the coaching conversation. Some examples may be...
  27. What are you taking away from this coaching conversation that is new for you?
  28. What value did you receive from your coaching conversation today?
  29. How has your perspective shifted as a result of this coaching conversation?