Chapter 3 - COACHING AS A DEVELOPMENTAL CHANGE PROCESS Flashcards
What is the main theme of Mary Oliver’s poem ‘Wild Geese’?
The deep connection humans have to one another and their world
The poem resonates with many people, especially those in midlife and beyond.
What role do life coaches play in the developmental change process?
They support clients in the search for and walking the new path toward desired change
Life coaches bring multiple perspectives and appreciate each client’s unique gifts.
Who is George in the case study?
A 52-year-old chiropractor feeling disenchanted with his work
He has a background in animals and creativity but followed his family’s path into chiropractic.
What is George’s primary frustration with his chiropractic practice?
He feels irritated with patients and lacks energy and motivation
He acknowledges his preference for animals over people.
What significant life event is George’s wife, Joanne, experiencing?
She is completing her doctorate in social psychology
Joanne is transitioning from teaching elementary school to university teaching.
What are the six stages of change identified by Prochaska?
- Pre-Contemplation
- Contemplation
- Preparation
- Action
- Maintenance
- Termination
These stages help coaches understand clients’ readiness for change.
What characterizes the Pre-Contemplation stage?
Clients are not yet considering making a change and are unaware of the need for one
Coaches may find clients at this stage if they haven’t identified a problem.
What happens during the Contemplation stage?
Clients consider making a change but may feel ambivalent or unsure how to proceed
Coaches assist clients in examining their current situation and motivation.
What is a key focus for coaches during the Preparation stage?
Helping clients gather information and resources for change
Accountability coaching is important in this stage.
What is the primary action taken during the Action stage?
Clients practice new behavior and try new things
Actions should be congruent with the clients’ identities.
What does the Maintenance stage signify?
Clients have maintained their chosen actions long enough to create new habits
Coaches help clients reset goals if they slip back into old habits.
What does Termination mean in Prochaska’s model?
Clients no longer need a structured approach to change as new behaviors become habitual
This does not necessarily mean the end of coaching.
How does change occur according to Prochaska’s model?
Change is a process that is non-linear and can involve cycling through stages
Coaches must support clients through their individual journeys.
What is the relationship between coaching and psychological change theories?
Coaching is fundamentally concerned with change in the client’s external life
Its roots run deep into psychological practices.
What is the coach’s role in the action stage of the change process?
To support the clients’ movement through the cycle and to accept the clients where they are now.
What fundamental concern does coaching share with psychological practices?
Change in the client’s external life, observable results, and subjective experience.
What does transformational coaching focus on?
Clients’ learning and development as well as achieving desires.
What is a common misconception about coaching in media articles?
They focus only on coaching’s action orientation, neglecting the intention to build long-term capacity.
What does James Flaherty emphasize about coaching?
The need for the coach to focus on long-term client capability building.
What is the consequence of expanded awareness in coaching?
Clients begin to notice aspects of their lives that were previously unconscious.
What term describes the most common way therapists describe their practice?
Eclectic.
What is the significance of an eclectic approach in coaching?
It allows coaches to integrate lessons, techniques, and theories into a personal flow.
How does Albert Einstein’s quote relate to coaching?
Theory determines what you can see, influencing the coach’s perspective.
What is the ‘Miracle Question’ in Solution-Focused Therapy?
‘If a miracle occurred overnight and you had the change you wanted, what would be the first thing you would notice?’
What is a limitation of using past actions as a guide for change?
It may discourage the client’s development despite achieving short-term goals.
What does Ken Wilber’s Four Quadrants model encourage?
An integral and developmental perspective in coaching.
What does Quadrant 1 focus on in Wilber’s model?
The interior/individual aspect of change, including thoughts, feelings, beliefs, and yearnings.
What is the ‘it’ domain in Quadrant 2?
The exterior-individual aspects of change, observable behaviors, and physical responses.
What does Quadrant 3 represent?
The interior-collective aspects of change, including culture, family history, and shared assumptions.
What is a key area of exploration in Quadrant 3?
How clients’ ‘I’ domains mesh with their ‘we’ domains.
What does Quadrant 4 focus on?
The exterior-collective aspects of change, including systems and institutions.
What is the relationship between the four quadrants in Wilber’s model?
Change or development in one quadrant is inextricably bound to the others.
Fill in the blank: Quadrant 1 is the ______ domain.
[I]
Fill in the blank: Quadrant 2 is the ______ domain.
[it]
Fill in the blank: Quadrant 3 is the ______ domain.
[we]
Fill in the blank: Quadrant 4 is the ______ domain.
[its]
What is the connection between the quadrants in coaching?
All quadrants are connected to or related to one another.
Change or development in one quadrant affects the others.
What can happen if a client ignores any quadrant during coaching?
It can lead to haphazard or incomplete results.
Ignoring a domain may hinder overall development.
How might a coach work with Quadrant 4?
By asking the client to examine their social groups.
This includes groups like church, community clubs, professional groups, or family systems.
What does R. D. Laing suggest about adults’ awareness?
The range of what we think and do is limited by what we fail to notice.
This failure to notice can inhibit change.
What is the concept of ‘transformations’ in adult development according to Robert Kegan?
Transformations describe changes in how adults make meaning and what they see as ‘object’ or ‘subject’.
This involves seeing oneself as a constructor of viewpoints.
What does it mean for something to be ‘subject’ in Kegan’s framework?
It means the individual cannot see it as separate from themselves.
They accept it as it is without questioning.
What is the significance of the aphorism, ‘We don’t know who discovered water, but we know it wasn’t fish’?
It illustrates the difference between subject and object perspectives.
Fish are unaware of the water they live in, just as people may be unaware of their own contexts.
What are the basic principles of adult development relevant to coaching?
- Adult development proceeds through developmental stages.
- Stages are hierarchical and build on previous ones.
- Adults generally do not regress permanently.
Stress may temporarily reveal earlier stage behaviors.
Who are some well-known theorists in adult development?
- Robert Kegan
- William Joiner
- Susanne Cook-Greuter
- William Torbert
Each has contributed uniquely to understanding adult development.
What are the two kinds of learning that occur in adulthood?
- Informational learning
- Transformational learning
Informational learning is additive, while transformational learning alters understanding.
What is transformational learning?
A change in how an adult knows, resulting in a broader perspective.
It involves internalizing greater complexity.
What is the significance of George’s choice of profession in the context of adult development?
He chose a profession based on external desires rather than his own.
This indicates he was at a socialized level of development.
How does movement from one developmental stage to another occur?
It is a gradual transformation that requires practice in new ways of thinking and behaving.
Shifts do not happen all at once.
What is the egocentric self stage?
A stage where individuals are focused on their own needs and lack empathy.
This is typical during early childhood and adolescence.
What percentage of adults do not transition beyond the egocentric self?
15 percent.
These individuals may display self-centered and controlling behaviors.
What are the three conventional stages of adult development according to Kegan?
- Diplomat
- Expert
- Achiever
These stages represent the socialized or interpersonal self.
How does the ‘Diplomat’ stage define the self?
Individuals identify themselves by their societal roles.
The articulation is ‘I am my role.’
What are the three conventional stages of development according to Kegan?
The Diplomat, the Expert, and the Achiever
What is the primary identity structure of the Diplomat stage?
I am my role.
What is a fundamental value for Diplomats?
Loyalty
What do Diplomats prioritize in their relationships?
Belonging to a group and creating affiliations
What is the main fear of Diplomats regarding relationships?
Disloyalty
What challenges do Diplomats face in self-awareness?
They are unaware of how their goals and behaviors are predetermined by others or culture.
True or False: Diplomats have a clear understanding of their own autonomy.
False
How do Diplomats typically manage conflict?
They avoid it to maintain friendly relationships.
What emotional responses might Diplomats struggle with?
Anger; they may instead feel sadness or a sense of incompleteness.
What is the main developmental transition from the Diplomat to the Expert stage?
Accepting that following one’s own path may disappoint others.
What is a key characteristic of Experts in their professional roles?
They value being right and often believe they should have all the answers.
What common conflict arises among Experts in the workplace?
Expert-to-expert conflicts
What are some useful coaching strategies for Experts?
- Enrich understanding of differences in others
- Use the DISC assessment and Myers-Briggs Type Indicator
- Help set priorities and manage time
What distinguishes Achievers from Diplomats and Experts?
Achievers can reflect on their own stories and rewrite them.
What drives Achievers in their professional lives?
Action and accomplishments
What is a challenge Achievers face regarding their to-do lists?
They find it impossible to relax when there are still tasks to complete.
What do Achievers have that allows them to create a unique perspective?
Self-authority
Fill in the blank: The Independent Self or _______ is a major transition of adult life.
Expert/Technician
What is the role of the coach in assessing a client’s developmental stage?
To listen for the developmental stage of the client.
What research method did Jennifer Garvey Berger use to examine leadership coaching?
Subject Object Interview (SOI)
What is a significant finding regarding self-authorship in leadership?
It is strongly connected to self-esteem and self-confidence.
What is the emotional charge probing technique used for?
To illuminate the client’s developmental level through their stories.
How can coaches assist Experts in transitioning to the Achiever stage?
By using exercises that expand their time horizons.
What does the term self-authorizing suggest about achievers?
Achievers are able to create for themselves a perspective and point of view that may be different from those around them.
At what level of development does real reflection begin?
Achievers
What is a downside of the achiever mindset?
Being driven quickly to act without always consciously choosing action.
What do achievers value in their work?
Feedback and learning oriented toward their goals and careers.
How do achievers typically respond to work-related tasks?
They often multitask and may jeopardize other relationships.
What do achievers bring to their work at their best?
Energy and optimism.
What can happen when achievers do not take time off?
They may find it difficult to slow down or reflect on their actions.
What coaching skills can achievers develop?
Insightful questioning skills to support success and develop others.
What do achievers recognize about developing others?
It adds to their success and is not a threat.
What becomes an authentic expression of an achiever’s inner purpose?
Action
What are new organizing principles for achievers?
Self-expression and cooperation.
What coaching strategies are useful for achievers?
360-degree feedback instruments and exploring work-life balance.
What is the purpose of the leadership log?
To reflect on daily events and identify patterns.
What is the leadership timeline used for?
To identify key life events that have contributed to leadership style and choices.
How many positive events should a client list in the leadership timeline?
12 to 20
What does the ladder of inference help clients do?
Examine experiences and reconstruct their reasoning process.
Who popularized the concept of the ladder of inference?
Peter Senge
What is the first rung of the ladder of inference?
Events and facts.
What can be the result of ignoring conflicting information?
It can lead to reinforced beliefs and selective perceptions.
What does Senge emphasize about leaders and their mental models?
Leaders must uncover their own mental models and those of others.
Fill in the blank: The ladder of inference illustrates the thinking process leading from _______ to decision or action.
an event or a fact
True or False: Achievers often find it easy to stop action and reflect.
False
What can outdated mental models prevent?
Recognizing opportunities and potential solutions.
What is a significant challenge for clients at the achiever stage?
Creating a differentiated internal self.
What does the ladder of inference help to challenge?
Mental models, biases, and assumptions.
What is the purpose of the ladder of inference?
To challenge mental models, biases, and assumptions to ensure they are useful, current, and accurate.
The ladder of inference serves as a tool for self-reflection and critical thinking.
What does the ladder of inference metaphor illustrate?
The tendency to quickly reach conclusions with little information and without conscious awareness.
It shows how individuals can leap to conclusions as if climbing a ladder in their minds.
What starts the process of climbing the ladder of inference?
Imposing biases through selective attention to details that affirm existing beliefs.
This process begins automatically without questioning the accuracy of information processing.
What happens as one climbs higher on the ladder of inference?
Personal perceptions, assumptions, and mental models skew conclusions.
Each rung adds biases and interpretations to the individual’s understanding.
In the provided example, what assumption does the team leader make about the young man?
The young man is bored and uninterested in the project.
This assumption is based on the observation of a yawn without considering alternative explanations.
How did the team leader’s assumption influence his decisions?
He may decide not to include the young man in focused discussions of weightier issues.
This generalization extends to other young people based on the leader’s biases.
True or False: The ladder of inference process requires conscious thought.
False.
The process happens automatically, without deliberate consideration.
Fill in the blank: The ladder of inference illustrates how we can quickly leap to _______.
[knee-jerk conclusions].
These conclusions are often reached with insufficient information.
What physiological response might explain the young man’s yawn?
A need for more oxygen in the closed, stuffy conference room.
This alternative explanation highlights the importance of considering multiple perspectives.
What should you write down before a meeting?
• With whom you’re meeting and your general perception of that person
• The issue at hand and the purpose of the meeting
• What you would like to get out of this meeting
• What you think the other person’s motive is
• Your expectations for the meeting’s start, flow, and end
What should you capture during the meeting?
• How the meeting started off
• Direct quotes from the person you are meeting with
• Assumptions or inferences about what was said
• Conclusions drawn based on how the meeting goes
What reflective questions should you consider after the meeting?
• Did anything about this person’s behavior surprise you?
• How might your behavior have affected the approach or reaction of others?
• How might your tone of voice, language, and posture have been interpreted?
• How quickly did you move up the ladder of inference?
• Might the conversation have taken a different turn with different perceptions?
Fill in the blank: At post-conventional stages, the inner self-definition shifts from ‘I am a whole and complete self’ to ‘I am _______.’
many selves
What is the primary focus of clients at the post-conventional stages?
Reexamining choices, exploring unvisited doors, and reconstructing their narrative
What characterizes the self at post-conventional stages?
Multifaceted, expansive context understanding, capable of strategic visioning
True or False: According to Robert Kegan, only about 1 percent of adults reach post-conventional stages.
True
What are the two key aspects of clients at the sacred self stage?
• Realization of not being the body or mind
• Identification with the soul in communion with the divine
What does the ladder of inference illustrate?
How one or two behaviors can lead to broad, possibly inaccurate conclusions about others
Provide an example of a conclusion drawn from Joe’s behavior in a meeting.
• Joe was the only one who arrived late
• Joe has no respect for others
• I’m going to avoid Joe because I can’t trust him
What is a common transition for pluralists in their career?
From internal organizational employee to consulting or entrepreneurial work
What is the role of meditation in adult development?
Accelerates transition from diplomat to pluralist stage
What does Fr. Richard Rohr emphasize in his teachings?
Radical compassion, nonjudgment, and unity
Fill in the blank: Post-conventional leaders are needed to meet the challenges of our times due to their agility in _______.
setting strategy and building relationships
What developmental level is George likely transitioning from and to?
From achiever level to pluralist/individualist level
What tool can coaches use to explore their own development level?
MAP Assessment developed by Susanne Cook-Greuter
What does the term ‘ladder of inference’ refer to?
The process of moving from observable data to conclusions and assumptions
True or False: Clients at the sacred self stage focus primarily on material success.
False
What does the term ‘pluralist’ refer to in adult development?
Individuals who can examine assumptions and take multiple perspectives
What is the importance of matching a coach’s level to their client’s development level?
Coaches need to be a good fit for the development level of their clients to avoid ineffective coaching relationships.
What are the key principles at the conventional levels of consciousness according to Robert Kegan?
The client is ‘subject’ to their family, tribe, or culture; values, ideals, and roles are created externally.
At what levels does self-determination emerge in clients?
At the expert or achiever levels.
What characterizes clients at the post-conventional levels of consciousness?
Clients are continually self-transforming and evolving.
What techniques do coaches use to foster constructive development?
- Exploration and amplification of personal values, dreams, and visions
- Fostering self-motivation and intrinsic motivation
- Inquiry and reflections for self-discovery
- Intuitive dance of relational flow
- Coaching process and client achievement over time
True or False: It is critical for coaches to understand and appreciate levels of consciousness without judgment.
True
What is the immunity to change map?
A tool developed by Kegan and Lahey to identify how what the client is subject to might block change.
List the four columns of the immunity to change map.
- Improvement goal
- Behaviors that go against the goal
- Explanation for the behaviors
- Big assumptions
What is the first phase of Frederic Hudson’s cycle of change?
Go For It
What characterizes Phase 2: The Doldrums?
A sense of general malaise and decline; clients are unhappy but uncertain about what to do.
What is a mini transition?
A way to correct and improve the chapters clients are in, renewing their energy and purpose.
What is the purpose of the cocooning phase?
To take an emotional time-out for healing, reflection, and discovering new life directions.
What happens in Phase 4: Getting Ready?
Clients experiment, train, and network to launch their next chapter.
What is necessary for successful transitions according to the text?
Clarifying and engaging in both holding on and letting go.
What habits may therapists need to change when transitioning to coaching?
- Asking clients about their feelings first
- Avoiding challenging clients
- Not holding clients accountable
How long does it typically take to change a habit?
Estimates range from 21 days to 60 repetitions.
Fill in the blank: The shift from therapist to coach requires _______.
[new habits and perspectives]
What is the significance of changing the physical environment for coaches?
It helps in adopting different habits and practices than those used in therapy.
What is the purpose of Exercise 3.1?
To examine the shift from therapist to coach and brainstorm what to release, discontinue, continue, start, or enhance
This exercise includes examples from other helping professionals transitioning to coaching.
List three practices to continue doing when transitioning from therapist to coach.
- Great listening from the heart.
- Use my intuition.
- Look at the client’s life within systems.
What are two actions to start doing as a coach?
- More self-disclosure.
- Ask for payment in advance.
What is one practice to let go of when becoming a coach?
Go for feelings as the main route to change.
What is suggested for readers in transition to coaching?
Complete fieldwork to apply the work from the chapter.
Identify two major actions necessary for the shift to coaching.
Identify supports and resources for each shift you want to make.
What should readers do this week to develop a new habit as a coach?
Take at least one action.
How should readers self-observe during their transition?
Observe relationships with others, self, and the larger context.
In which HBO series does the character Tony struggle with depression?
The Sopranos.
What developmental stage is Tony in during his therapy seeking?
Transition developmentally.
What is the stereotype issue mentioned regarding clients?
Many stereotypes are based in mental models.
Where can the worksheet related to the exercise be found?
At https://extension.harvard.edu/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2021/03/ext_immunity_map_0.pdf.
