The AIPC Coach Model
The AIPC COACH model developed by the Australian Institute of Professional Coaches is evidence-based, solution-focused and goal-oriented. Using this model, the coach works as an equal partner with the client to help them create their most desirable future considering as many variables as possible. It consists of 5 steps:
Critical issue: After ensuring that a trusting relationship has been established with the client, and that they are willing to be coached, ready to make behavioural changes, and fully present in the coaching moment, the coach commences the coaching session by identifying the reason why the client has come to be coached. An excellent introductory question is “What is the most important thing we should be talking about today?” This open-ended question allows the client to reveal what is upmost on their mind for discussion and resolution. Sometimes the client has a problem or situation to be resolved. At other times there is a goal to be achieved, which the client may have worked on in the past but, for various reasons, been unsuccessful in reaching. Hence, they have come to coaching for assistance.
The coach treats the client with the utmost respect and acknowledges that they have done the best they knew how at the time. The coach also acknowledges the client as the expert in their life. As equal partners in the coaching process, the client brings knowledge and information about their situation/problem/goal to the coaching session, and the coach brings their training, expertise and coaching skills to help the client resolve their situation and move forward. The coach facilitates all aspects of the client’s situation to be revealed, providing unconditional positive regard, and reinforcing the client’s appropriate behaviours whilst suspending all judgment and bias.
Opportunities: Having worked with the client using facilitative communication techniques, and open and closed questioning to reveal the particulars of their situation/problem/goal, the coach moves into a guiding style to help the client become more open to other ways of being and behaving. Using powerful questioning, the coach encourages the client to fully experience the ideal way they would like their situation and life to be when the problem has been solved, or the goal attained. Also, using specific neuro-linguistic programming (NLP) techniques, the coach encourages the client to fully immerse themselves in their ideal, future scenario, savouring the sight, sounds, feelings, tastes and smells that surround them. Once engrossed in this desired vision, the coach provides supportive, motivating encouragements to enable the client develop the overall goal for their future.
Actionable goals: Out of that desired vision and overall goal, drops the SMART goals that the client needs to pursue to make their dream a reality. The clearer the vision, the more easily specific goals are identified by the client, with encouragement and support from the coach. At all times, it is the client who drives the coaching agenda although, as necessary, the coach may use a directing style to bring the client back ‘on track’. Then one by one, each goal is recorded, prioritised and action planned.
Commitment: Next comes the commitment stage. What is the client’s level of commitment to the actions they have determined to take (possibly on a scale of 1-10)? How high can the coach encourage the client to commit, after addressing any possible barriers that may hold them back? What is the alternative if they don’t commit and follow-through on their actions? The coach uses a motivating style to encourage the client to think positively and aim high to reach their goals.
Hold accountable: The final stage in the coaching process occurs first at the end of the coaching session and second, in the week/s after the session concludes. Whilst the client is responsible for taking the actions they have determined, there is joint accountability for the coach and client to ensure the actions are taken. Hence, at the end of each session, the coach establishes with the client their preferred method of communicating in-between sessions (e.g. email, telephone or video) so that they can monitor the client’s progress. A date for the next session is then agreed and set. The coach follows-up with the client at regular intervals to check on their progress, and motivate them if actions have not been taken.
In summary, during the coaching session the coach has helped the client identify their desired vision of the future, the specific goals to be achieved, and the actions they need to take to achieve them. They have ensured that the client has the required knowledge, skills and resources to take the actions or, if not, identified from whom they can seek assistance. The 5-step AIPC COACH model is repeated in the following coaching sessions, with a ‘forward’ to each new session – ‘checking-in’ to make sure that there are no urgent or emerging issues that need to be addressed immediately before the scheduled session commences, or instead of it.
This modified excerpt is taken from the book “Positive Psychology Coaching” by Dr Susanne Knowles which is available from www.amazon.com and www.barnesandnoble.com.
Book Reviews and a Book Trainer are available on www.susanne.knowles.com.
