Module 11 – Facilitates Client Growth

Mentor Coach: Bongi

17th May 2023

Woohoo!

We’re at the last core competency of ICF’s 8 Core Competencies – Facilitates Client Growth

Partners with the client to transform learning and insight into action. Promotes client autonomy in the coaching process.

International Coaching Federation

To me, this competency focuses on my role as a coach in assisting clients in translating their learning, insights, and awareness gained through coaching into tangible actions and promoting their autonomy throughout the coaching journey.

ICF further expands it to the below eight sub-competencies

  1. Works with the client to integrate new awareness, insight or learning into their worldview and behaviors: This involves assisting clients in bridging the gap between awareness and action and supporting them in applying what they have learned to their daily lives or professional endeavours.
  2. Partners with the client to design goals, actions and accountability measures that integrate and expand new learning: I will collaborate with clients to create meaningful goals and action plans that align with their aspirations and integrate their new insights. This process enhances the client’s growth by incorporating their newfound understanding into their goal-setting and action strategies.
  3. Acknowledges and supports client autonomy in the design of goals, actions and methods of accountability: I recognize and respect the client’s autonomy by allowing them to take ownership of their coaching process. I will encourage clients to actively participate in designing their goals, actions, and methods of accountability, ensuring that the client’s preferences, values, and unique circumstances are considered throughout the coaching journey.
  4. Supports the client in identifying potential results or learning from identified action steps: I will assist clients in recognizing and exploring the potential outcomes or learning opportunities that can arise from their actions to achieve their goals. By facilitating a reflective and exploratory process, I help clients uncover valuable insights and lessons contributing to their growth and development.
  5. Invites the client to consider how to move forward, including resources, support and potential barriers: I encourage clients to explore various pathways and possibilities for moving forward, considering available resources, potential sources of support, and any potential barriers or challenges they may encounter. This collaborative exploration enables clients to proactively plan their next steps and develop strategies to overcome obstacles during growth.
  6. Partners with the client to summarize learning and insight within or between sessions: I work alongside clients to consolidate and summarize the key learnings and insights gained during coaching sessions. This process helps clients distil the most relevant and impactful aspects of their growth journey, fostering a deeper understanding and providing a foundation for further progress.
  7. Celebrates the client’s progress and successes: I will acknowledge, recognise, and celebrate the client’s achievements, milestones, and progress throughout the coaching engagement. By actively highlighting and celebrating their successes, I support clients in maintaining motivation, building self-confidence, and reinforcing positive behaviours and outcomes.
  8. Partners with the client to close the session: I will collaborate with clients to ensure a smooth and purposeful closure to each coaching session. This involves summarising key takeaways, identifying action steps or commitments for the client to focus on until the next session, and creating a sense of completion and progress. I believe this closing phase sets the stage for ongoing growth and development in subsequent sessions.

Would you continue coach someone with a fixed mindset?

Coach Bongi

Coach Bongi asked the above question (or something to that effect) during the session.

Did I hear her wrongly?

I’d like to answer her question with another question:

Why would someone with a fixed mindset engage a coach in the very first place?

The Barking Cat

Isn’t the fact that the person is willing to engage a coach mean he or she has a growth mindset?

With my extremely limited (like zero) coaching experience, I can never imagine someone with a fixed mindset would engage a coach.

Maybe there is. I’m open to correction.

Finally, my biggest takeaway is:

When we focus on the client’s growth throughout the entire coaching process, the rest will fall into place.

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