How do you coach holistically?

1 Understand their context

The first step to coach holistically is to understand the context of your coachee. This includes their personal and professional history, their current situation, their expectations, their needs, and their challenges. You can use various tools and methods to gather this information, such as interviews, assessments, feedback, observation, and reflection. By understanding their context, you can tailor your coaching approach to fit their unique circumstances and goals.

2 Explore their values and beliefs

The second step to coach holistically is to explore the values and beliefs of your coachee. These are the core principles and assumptions that guide their decisions and actions. They also shape their identity, sense of purpose, and self-esteem. You can use powerful questions, exercises, and metaphors to help your coachee articulate and examine their values and beliefs. By exploring their values and beliefs, you can help your coachee align them with their vision and mission, and challenge any limiting or conflicting ones.

3 Leverage their strengths and potential

The third step to coach holistically is to leverage the strengths and potential of your coachee. These are the natural talents and abilities that they possess and can develop further. They also provide them with confidence, energy, and satisfaction. You can use various models and frameworks, such as the StrengthsFinder, the VIA Character Strengths, or the Gallup CliftonStrengths, to help your coachee identify and apply their strengths and potential. By leveraging their strengths and potential, you can help your coachee optimize their performance and growth.

4 Address their emotions and well-being

The fourth step to coach holistically is to address the emotions and well-being of your coachee. These are the feelings and states of mind that affect their mood, motivation, and resilience. They also influence their relationships, communication, and collaboration. You can use various techniques and strategies, such as emotional intelligence, mindfulness, positive psychology, or stress management, to help your coachee manage and express their emotions and well-being. By addressing their emotions and well-being, you can help your coachee cope with change and uncertainty, and enhance their happiness and fulfillment.

5 Support their action and accountability

The fifth step to coach holistically is to support the action and accountability of your coachee. These are the behaviors and outcomes that result from their coaching process. They also reflect their commitment, responsibility, and learning. You can use various tools and methods, such as goal setting, action planning, feedback, follow-up, and evaluation, to help your coachee implement and measure their action and accountability. By supporting their action and accountability, you can help your coachee achieve their desired results and sustain their progress.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?