The FLOW5 COACH Process

This is part of a series of blog posts required as part of a Level 1 coaching certification course I am taking. In the spirit of sharing, I'm posting my reflections here in hopes that it may benefit one or two other people out there who might be pursuing or interested in pursuing this journey too.

In this session, we finally turned the corner from covering the ICF Core Competencies for coaching, and dove straight into the coaching process developed by Catalyst Coach - the FLOW5 C.O.A.C.H PROCESS, which incorporates different coaching theories and models to help coachees grow.?

Each letter in the acronym encapsulates a distinct approach, adding layer upon layer to the coaching experience. We skimmed over each element, but what really stuck with me was this idea of "flowing" with your coachee through each approach.?

A coaching relationship is fluid, dynamic, and ever-changing. Just as the weather is not the same every day, every time you meet with a coachee, they could be in a different emotional or mental "climate." And that's not just okay -- it's to be expected. It's a reminder that our role is to meet people where they're at, not where we want them to be.?

This resonates with something I stumbled upon in a prior module: the essence of being a coach lies in having an unwavering belief in human potential. We are all untapped reservoirs of potential, lying dormant, waiting to burst forth. As a coach, we get the privilege to help release that dam.

For me, the work of being a coach is less about ushering someone along a predetermined path and giving them advice or telling them what to do. I’m not a mentor, consultant, or advisor. Being a coach is more about walking alongside them, come rain or shine.?

And as we do, we become witnesses in someone else's journey of self-discovery and growth. Appreciating the ups and downs of our coachees’ journeys is like taking in every frame of a film, not just waiting for the climax of the movie.?

Sometimes that means splashing through puddles, and other times, it means pausing to appreciate the vibrant hues of a sunset. Either way, we flow.