The Smile Coaching Model Created by Shelley French Davis
One of the first courses I took after joining ICA was called “What is Coaching?” The moderator asked the class members what skill or strength they had that would help them be a great coach. I said that I had a great sense of humor but I did not know how that would benefit me as a coach. Surprisingly, I was quickly reassured that having a sense of humor could be a good coaching tool. The SMILE coaching model was born.
As I began coaching I found he was right. Humor has become an important part in my coaching and when I started to think about what my coach model would be I knew that it had to incorporate humor. As I coached over the last few months my coach model came together.
Set the stage
Opening, greeting. Establish a connection, trust and intimacy. Create a safe and supportive relationship (First session: discuss ethics and confidentiality)
Questions: Talk to me about what you want from today.
Make a Plan
Establish short and long term goals.
Questions: How can I help? Where do you see yourself in…? How would you describe your vision? What is your goal? What do you want to achieve? How will you know that you have achieved this?
In the Moment
Where is my client now? Where are they in pursuit of their goals? Check back and clarify your discussions.
Questions: What have you achieved so far? What have you done so far/where are you now? Where are you with…? What’s happening now? Who do you know now who could help you…? What has stopped you from doing this?
Checking back with the client:
Can I clarify… I heard… My understanding is…?
Let’s Explore
Exploring (free-flowing) different ways to achieve the goal, allow space and silence, find gaps between reality and goals.
Questions: If you knew you could not fail, what do you believe is the next step? Have you thought about…? If you could think of 3 more – what would they be? Who do you know who has done this? If a friend came to you, what would you suggest to them?
End Game
Testing client commitment to take action to reach the goal – summarizing the conversation.
Questions: What will you do now…later? What will you do first? Then what do you plan to do / how / when? What will you do next? When will you do this? What support, resources do you need?
Find a quick win – What would you have to do to get an early sense of achievement? What would have to be done to make you feel good about?
Read Shelley’s papers published by the International Coach Academy
* Please leave a comment below. You may comment anonymously or you may use your first name. We may post or quote your comment on the website. We will never post or share your last name, email address or any other personal identifying information.
