The CLEAR Coaching Model

 Coaching Model By Marie Romero, Leadership & Accountability Coach, UNITED STATES

CLEAR – Contracting, Listening, Exploring, Action and Review

Finding a coaching model that fits my personal unique style was not easy, which is interesting because when I started my ICA journey I thought I had this dialed in. I thought the easiest model to follow was a simple one. One that is pretty popular and easily follows the G.R.O.W. coaching model. That stands for Goals, Reality, Options, and Will. I thought this model was simple enough and would align with the approach I would have in my sessions. As it turns out, I was completely wrong. Through much trial and error and some development,

I was able to find a more fitting coaching model…The C.L.E.A.R. coaching model. That stands for Contracting, Listening, Exploring, Action and Review. I found this model to be more helpful in my style to not only accomplish the demonstration of competencies but also simple enough to follow.

The Journey: CLEAR Coaching Model

In the beginning, when we were tasked to think about and work on developing our coaching model, I thought it was going to be a breeze. I remember thinking “A coaching model…easy I know exactly what I want and how I can structure all my coaching sessions.” I looked up models and picked the simplest one that got straight to the point. I found the G.R.O.W (Goal, Reality, Options, Will) model and decided that would be the one I use. Then, in my peer coaching sessions, I tried to use this model to get straight to the point and achieve results and found myself feeling robotic. My questions really weren’t genuine or really even fitting. I found myself attached to the goal too quickly. I also found myself judging the client or being impatient when the client couldn’t clearly see what the “right” answer was. Then as I attended more classes and mentor coaching sessions, I started to realize that getting to the root of the issue takes a little time and exploring. I went back to the drawing board. I debated about coming up with my own unique coaching model until I came across the C.L.E.A.R. (Contracting, Listening, Exploring, Action, and Review) coaching model. I liked it.

So, the next step was to test it out and see if it aligned with my style and intention. As I had hoped it certainly did. I love the idea of contracting first to see where the session is to go then, listening. I found this step to be so important which is also why I love the acronym of the coaching model. Through the coaching sessions, I have found the value of listening to understand and detect what is really going on. Furthermore, I have also realized the value of someone listening and then playing back what the person is saying. I’ve come to learn that often times people don’t listen to themselves and what they tell themselves because when you play it back they have tremendous insight and desire to change. It’s quite entertaining most of the time.

Next, as an adventurous spirit, I enjoy exploring part of the client’s issue, relationship, or challenge. I enjoy the process of the client digging and finding out what is really going on and what is getting in the way. Then, of course, action! The solution it’s the part when the resolve shows up that the client starts to feel better and happier. This of course is a pivoting point and the part that the client is really paying for: The answers!

So many times, I want to celebrate and feel like the job is done once we get to the solutions and resolve and I do but I love that this coaching model includes a last piece, the review. I feel the review has multiple purposes, not only is it a look at the future and what is going to happen but it also is to pause and acknowledge the process and clarify anything left “muddy.” I love and appreciate the clarity that comes from the review section of the coaching session. It’s a wonderful way to make sure the work done in the session was not in vain. The ending of the session is like a beautiful ribbon around the present of the session.

CLEAR The Right Coaching Model

In conclusion, I have found the right coaching model that aligns with my style and process. To my surprise, it was not as easy as I thought it would be. And just like the exploring and discovery in my coaching sessions, finding my model took time. I also found that I had certain expectations and, in the end, I received something completely different but better. I feel very comfortable using this coaching model. It is simple enough to remember and to follow and it truly aligns with my style. It may not be one I drafted up on my own but it is one that has been tested and works. It works well with me which in the end, I believe was the goal behind the task to begin with. So there you have it, the C.L.E.A.R. coaching model.