The Skyward Coaching Process (for individual clients)

Although my approach to coaching is by no means cookie-cutter, I am fond of laying out my process in broad strokes so that my clients better understand the nature of our work together.  Within the process outline below, I refer to the client in the second person (as "you").

1. Establish a Strong and Supportive Coaching Relationship

  • Identify the "presenting problem", and check to make sure that it’s something that you’re motivated to address.
  • Clarify the nature of coaching… it requires a commitment to action and follow-through.  Coaching is not a quick fix, and it is not therapy.
  • Establish our working agreements:  Confidentiality, Coaching Fees and Payment Methods, Communication Standards and Accountability.

2. Clarify The Problem Statement

  • Get to the meat of the problem, and assess the cost of NOT solving that problem.
  • Assess what has and has not been done so far to address the problem.
  • Explore any fears that come up with respect to taking action, or further action.
  • Highlight limiting beliefs that might represent obstacles.  Take steps to shift or eliminate limiting beliefs as preparation for taking action.
  • If fears persist, establish constraints around what you are willing to do in the context of our work together.

3. Visualize The Future

  • Imagine a future where “the problem” no longer exists.  What does it look like?  What has changed?  What are you experiencing on a day-to-day, week-to-week, and month-to-month basis?  How does it feel?
  • Brainstorm possible action steps that appear likely to move you closer to your imagined future state.
  • Evaluate the list of action steps, looking for those that feel achievable, highly relevant, and exciting.  Prioritize the resulting list.
  • If necessary, contact trusted mentors and guides for feedback on your list and priorities.

4. Take Action

  • Choose the most promising action step for which you feel a high degree of commitment and resolve for taking action.
  • Make it S.M.A.R.T.  Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant/Resonant, Time-bound/Thrilling.
  • For the chosen action step, define some way in which you plan to celebrate taking action, regardless of the outcome.
  • Be accountable!!!  Define “structures” with coach and others that are sufficiently strong to support taking action.  Without accountability, often your attention will wane, and you’ll return to the normal flow/momentum of life.

5. Celebrate & Evaluate

  • Did you complete the action step?  If so, celebrate, regardless of the outcome.
  • Evaluate results.
     - Did the action step yield the desired results?
     - Regardless of results, what was learned, especially about yourself?
     - If relevant, ask how you would approach the step differently if repeated?

6. Rinse & Repeat

  • Has anything changed about the coaching relationship?  If so, jump back to step 1.
  • Has anything changed about the problem statement?  If so, jump back to step 2.
  • Has anything changed about the imagined/desired future state?  If so, jump back to step 3.
  • If none of those things have changed, jump back to step 4.


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