#9 Helping the client to create and use support systems and structures
| Definition |
Helping the client identify and build the relationships, tools, systems and structures he or she needs to advance and sustain progress.
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| Effect |
The client is confident and secure in moving forward, knowing that resources are available or can be created.
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| Key Elements |
1. The coach suggests possible support systems and structures appropriate to the client’s needs.
2. The coach prompts the client to identify and list support systems and structures the client has but is not utilizing effectively.
3. The coach assists the client to list areas in which the client feels a need for support and structure.
4. The client values the need for appropriate support systems.
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| Distinctions |
- supportive structures vs. constraining process
- complementary vs. duplication
- enhancing vs. overwhelming
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| Effective Behaviors |
The coach:
1. Suggests relevant resources and references.
2. Helps identify systems which may be needed and elicits feedback on the client’s investigation, assessment and possible implementation of systems and structures.
3. Is responsive to suggestions for supportive and complementary systems and structures.
4. Actively seeks to identify ways of expanding capability through systems and structures.
5. Supports the client to address sustainability of systems and structures.
6. Isn’t attached to the client’s response to any resource, system or structure.
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| Ineffective Behaviors |
The coach:
1. Recommends resources, structures or systems without first identifying the individual client’s needs.
2. Recommends resources which may be inappropriate—for financial, cultural, personality or educational reasons—for the particular client.
3. Seeks to impose on the client the coach’s own preferred structures or systems.
4. Overrides suggestions by the client as to possibly supportive systems or structures.
5. Doesn’t offer or encourage support systems and structures when appropriate for the client.
6. Doesn’t actively support the client in using the identified support systems and structures.
7. Doesn’t address the sustainability of the identified support systems and structures.
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| Measures |
1. The coach is creative in helping the client to generate support systems and structures without attachment to whether the client adapts to particular ideas or not.
2. The client recognizes resources not previously identified.
3. The client expresses appreciation of the value of utilizing existing resources or creating new ones.
4. The client embraces responsibility for using, finding or creating resources.
5. The client acknowledges that this new appreciation or sense of responsibility is empowering.
6. The coach addresses the sustainability of the support systems and structures. |
© 2007 International Association of Coaching.
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