Mentor Coach: Mel Leow
2nd Aug 2023
Last night’s session was like a deep dive into Module 18, which talked about Coaching Models.
As Coach Mel explained to us what coaching models did and how to set one up, the memory of my mountain climbing adventure in 2019 surfaced.
In 2019, for no apparent reason, I agreed to conquer Jade Mountain in Taiwan, the highest mountain in South Asia.
So, we told our usual and capable adventure guide William from Taiwan our intention. While he applied for the climbing permit, he gave us a list of do’s and don’ts and how to train for the treacherous climb.
It was a last-minute decision. So, other than ‘simulating’ the real climb by climbing the Bukit Timah Hill (164m vs the actual and scary 3952m) and walking up 14 flights of stairs every other day, I didn’t prepare myself for it.
One day before D-Day, William told us what to do, what to expect, emergency procedures and whatnot.
On D-Day, he reminded us once again of the above.
Throughout the 3-day-2-night climb, William was always by our side, guiding us along and telling us where the dangerous areas were and how to avoid them. He also prepared us mentally for the organic smell from the unmanned toilet – a smell so strong you can smell it 10 km away! 😅
Out of curiosity, I asked him whether he gave the exact instructions to every climber. He said no. He had different guides for people with varying levels of mountain-climbing skills. People who just wanted to scale the mountain in record time instead of enjoying the view would also receive different instructions.
I used to think those instructions were meant to make his life easier.
But after starting my coaching course journey, I think otherwise now. Over the past few months, I’ve learned that coaching is all about the coachee, not the coach.
Powerful coaching is not about how powerful the coach is. It is about how powerful and empowered the coachee feels after each session.
So, yes. Although the mountain-climbing instructions make the guide’s job easier, the main focus is to keep the climbers safe and ensure they will have an enjoyable climb.
Ditto the Coaching Model
Like the mountain-climbing instructions, as much as coaching models can help coaches by giving them a framework to work on and hence make their life easier, the ultimate beneficiary must be the coachee.
A model that makes the coach’s job easy doesn’t mean anything when the coachee doesn’t benefit from it.
So, to begin with, with the end in mind, the coaching model must eventually help the coachee have more “Aha!” instead of “Oh, I see…” moments. Then from this vantage point, we create the model.
Enter ROJAK
As mentioned in my previous post, the ROJAK model was “inspired” by my overwhelmed feelings by the tons of different coaching models out there.
I noticed popular models like GROW, FUEL, OSKAR, and others have many things in common; hence, we aren’t limited to using just one model. So, I mixed and matched them and called it ROJAK.
Review/Reveal
Review what was discussed or agreed upon during the previous session, or to get the client to Reveal what’s in their mind.
Questions:
- Since our last session, has your situation changed? And if yes, how did it impact your progress?
- What’s on your mind?
- What do you want to achieve in this session?
Options/Others
Explore other options, possibilities and challenges the client has or wants to discuss.
Questions:
- Other than what you’ve mentioned above, are there any other things you want to discuss or are on your mind?
- And what else?
Jump Not To Conclusion
Avoid forming any conclusion too early by asking more questions and probing further. A higher level of listening skills are needed here.
Questions:
- What’s the real challenge for you here?
- Of all the things you’ve mentioned, and if you only have the resources to handle one now, which would it be?
- What caused you to say that?
Affirm and Advance
Affirm and champion the client’s decision, process and growth.
Questions:
- I’m happy you’ve decided to take this action to forward your plan. What action steps can you take to advance it?
- I’m sure your decision is well thought-out. What are some possible obstacles that might surface?
Key Takeaways
End by asking what key takeaways the client has gathered and how they intend to apply them.
Questions:
- What key takeaways have you discovered during this session, and how do you intend to apply them?
Still ROJAK-ing
The above model is not set in stone. As I hone my coaching practice and my client’s progress is apparent, I’m sure there will be ROJAK 2.0, ROJAK 3.0, etc.
I still think I must trademark ROJAK. 😁
Like ROJAK™️ 😊
PS: If you’re interested in reading my ‘adventure’, click here.
