When it comes to executive coaching, there are several models that coaches use to help their clients. Whatever the model used, the ultimate aim is to bring about a change in the way executives act so that they are able to lead their organizations in a better way. strengthscape has found good results with use of the DANCE methodology in its executive coaching programs. One of the types of coaching used by some coaches is called Transformational Coaching and it is based on the principle that people should begin to view things in a new perspective so that they begin behaving in a more appropriate way.
CLEAR Model
One of the important aspects of Transformational Coaching is the CLEAR model which owes its origin to Peter Hawkins. Developed during the 1980s, this coaching methodology was in vogue before the advent of the GROW model which gradually grew more popular. However, even today, many coaches include the CLEAR model in their executive coaching kit when they realize that their clients need to undergo a major paradigm shift and take greater responsibility for their actions.
What is CLEAR?
In their book titled “Coaching, Mentoring and Organizational Consultancy: Supervision and Development,” Peter Hawkins and Nick Smith explain that the term “CLEAR” stands for:
Contracting, Listening, Exploring, Action, Review
- Contracting refers to the beginning of the executive coaching session during which the coach starts the discussion and defines the areas to be covered, laying down the ground rules through discussion with the client. This is also the stage where the coach and the client determine the outcome they expect from the coaching program
- Listening is the stage when the coach pays close attention to the words and body language of the client to grasp what he is trying to communicate. The coach may also ask some questions or suggest a few other lines of thought that allow his client gain valuable insight about the issues being discussed.
- Exploring involves two parts: working towards the client getting a better understanding of how he is personally affected by the situation and exploring what action he can take in the future to arrive at an appropriate solution to deal with the situation.
- Action means the coach helps the client actually select the way he wants to act, and to formulate the steps he will take over a period of time.
- Review refers to summing up the points covered in the executive coaching program, and highlighting the decisions taken by the client. The coach also collects feedback from the coachee regarding how helpful the program was and which aspects need to be modified during programs in the future.
- By using the CLEAR coaching model, coaches encourage their clients to change the way they view situations, people around them and their own capabilities. This is important because unless this sort of a transformation occurs, the most high-profile executive coaching program will not show long-lasting results